[L1] ================================================ AMAST Links 02 08

                 Specification and Validation Methods

  This book, edited by Egon Boerger, Professor of Computer Science,
Dipartimento di Informatica, University of Pisa, Italy, is a survey of 
the state of the art in specification and validation methods, and
applies these methods to real-life computing systems.  It combines a 
high-level introduction to the state of the art with the development 
of new methods for specification and validation of computing systems. 
The methods are elaborated for challenging and characteristic 
applications, spanning from semantics of programming languages and 
their implementation (PROLOG,CLPC(R) and CLAM,C++) to architecture 
design (VHDL), including also parallel and distributed programs as 
well as protocols (Kermit for example). The eleven chapters are 
written in a self-contained way, each by a leading expert.  The book 
is unique for two reasons: it combines a state-of-the-art survey with 
a systematic presentation of recent advances, based on new ideas and 
approaches; its themes range from software to hardware design and the 
proposed methods are applied to specification and validation of 
complex real-life computing systems.

  Contents: Introduction; Evolving algebras 1993. Lipari guide; 
Annotated bibliography on evolving algebras; Program verification and 
Prolog; CLAM-specifications for provably correct compilation of CLP(R)
program; The semantics of the C++ programming language; Verification 
of parameterized programs VHDL-based system-level hardware design; 
The Bakery Algorithm: yet another specification and verification;
Kermit: specification and verification; Group membership protocol: 
specification and verification; Specification and verification of 
VHDL-based system-level hardware design; Specification and verification
of Gate-level VHDL models of synchronous and asynchronous circuits.

  ISBN 0-19-853854-5, 480 pages, Clarendon Press, April 1995.
Hardback  L65.00