One side-effect of having made great leaps in computing over the last few decades, is the resulting over-abundance in software tools created to solve the diverse problems. Problem solving with computers has, in consequence, become more demanding; instead of focusing on the problem when conceptualizing strategies to solve them, users are side-tracked by the pursuit of even more programming tools (as available).Computer-Based Problem Solving Process is a work intended to offer a systematic treatment to the theory and practice of designing, implementing, and using software tools during the problem solving process. This method is obtained by enabling computer systems to be more Intuitive with human logic rather than machine logic. Instead of software dedicated to computer experts, the author advocates an approach dedicated to computer users in general. This approach does not require users to have an advanced computer education, though it does advocate a deeper education of the computer user in his or her problem domain logic.This book is intended for system software teachers, designers and implementers of various aspects of system software, as well as readers who have made computers a part of their day-today problem solving.

The AMAST movement was initiated in 1989 with the First International C- ference on Algebraic Methodology and Software Technology (AMAST), held on May 21{23in Iowa City, Iowa,and aimed at setting the development of software technology on a mathematical basis. The virtue of the software technology en- sioned by AMAST is the capability to produce software that has the following properties: (a) it is correct and its correctness can be proved mathematically, (b) it is safe, such that it can be used in the implementation of critical systems, (c) it is portable, i. e. , it is independent of computing platforms and language generations, and (d) it is evolutionary, i. e. , it is self-adaptable and evolves with the problem domain. Ten years later a myriad of workshops, conferences, and researchprogramsthat sharethe goalsof the AMAST movementhaveoccurred. This can be taken as proof that the AMAST vision is right. However, often the myriad of workshops, conferences, and research programs lack the clear obj- tives and the coordination of their goals towards the software technology en- sioned by AMAST. This can be taken as a proof that AMAST is still necessary.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Fourth International AMAST Workshop on Real-Time Systems and Concurrent and Distributed Software, ARTS'97, held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in May 1997.
The volume presents 24 carefully selected revised full papers. Also included are two historical contributions honoring Ramon Llull, who was born on Mallorca, as well as two invited papers. All current issues in the field of formal methods for real-time systems and distributed and concurrent systems are addressed.

The goal of the AMAST conferences is to foster algebraic methodology as a foundation for software technology, and to show that this can lead to practical mathematical alternatives to the ad-hoc approaches commonly used in software engineering and development. The first two AMAST conferences, held in May 1989 and May 1991 at the University of Iowa, were well received and encouraged the regular organization of further AMAST conferences on a biennial schedule. The third Conference on Algebraic Methodology and Software Technology was held in the campus of the University of Twente, The Netherlands, during the first week of Summer 1993. Nearly a hundred people from all continents attended the conference. The largest interest received by the AMAST conference among the professionals extended to include the administration organizations as well. AMAST'93 was opened by the Rector of the University of Twente, followed by the Local Chairman. Their opening addresses open this proceedings, too. The proceedings contains 8 invited papers and 32 selected communica tions. The selection was very strict, for 121 submissions were received."