Object-oriented design methods are commonplace in computing systems development, but are often dismissed as 'boxes & arrows'. If systems developers are to gain full advantage from such methods, they should be able to achieve designs that are not merely the subject of heated argument, but can be improved by careful, rigorous & machine-supported analysis.

This book describes an object-oriented design approach that combines the benefits of abstract modelling with the analytic power of formal methods, to give designs that can be rigorously validated & assured with automated support.

Aimed at software architects, designers & developers as well as computer scientists, no prior knowledge of formal methods is assumed. The elements of functional modelling are introduced using numerous examples & exercises, industrial case studies & experience reports. Industry-strength tools support the text. Go to www.vdmbook.com to download free-of-charge VDMTools Lite, which gives the possibility to try out examples from the book

This book provides an introduction to practical formal modelling techniques in the context of object-oriented system design. It is aimed at both practising software engineers with some prior experience of object-oriented design/programming and at intermediate or advanced students studying object-oriented design or modelling in a short course. The following features make this book particularly attractive to potential instructors: The relationship with UML and object-oriented programming makes it easy to integrate with the mainstream computing curriculum. Although the book is about formal methods, it does not have to be treated as a specialist topic. The use of tools and an accessible modelling language improves student motivation. The industry-based examples and case studies add to the credibility of the approach. The light touch approach means that the material appeals to students with a wider range of abilities than is the case in a conventional formal methods text. Support materials as listed above."