Perspectives on Formal Methods in the Last 25 years
John S. Fitzgerald · School of Computing Science Technical Report Series · 2006
Mathematically-based formal methods for developing software and systems have had an interesting history. Over the past twenty-five years, the subject has moved from controversies surrounding code verification, through work on data types, design methodology, refinement and Lightweight Formal Methods, to automated proof and model-checking technology. The panel discussion recorded here brought together four computer scientists who have been active as leading researchers and practitioners in the field over the last quarter century. Held at the BCS London Headquarters, Southampton Street, on 30th January 2006, it provided an opportunity to learn about the motivations behind some of the major developments in the field, to discuss trends, fashions, successes and failures and set them in their recent historical context.