What Can We Expect from Program Verification?

Jackson, Michael

doi:10.1109/mc.2006.363

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In addressing the question "What can we expect of program verification? ", the distinguished software consultant Michael Jackson [12] points out four limitations of formalisation that apply to 'software intensive' systems:…”

Section: Em From a Philosophical Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Experimenting with computing

Beynon

Russ

2008

Journal of Applied Logic

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We distinguish two kinds of experimental activity: post-theory and exploratory. Posttheory experiment enjoys computer support that is well-aligned to the classical theory of computation. Exploratory experiment, in contrast, arguably demands a broader conception of computing. Empirical Modelling (EM) is proposed as a more appropriate conceptual framework in which to provide computational support for exploratory experiment. In the process, it promises to provide integrated computational support for both exploratory and post-theory experiment. We first sketch the motivation for EM and illustrate its potential for supporting experimentation, then briefly highlight the semantic challenge it poses and the philosophical implications.Advances in computing have led to a revolution in experimental practices in science. Much of this is focused on exploiting the power of computing technology to perform calculations and generate visualisations based on pre-existing scientific theories. Because such post-theory experiment can exploit a rationalisation of agency and state-change, it can be readily conceived within the framework of the classical theory of computation. In other contexts, computing technology is being used to support what can be construed as exploratory experiment, in a sense to be elaborated later. Though exploratory experimental activity is well-represented in computing practice-often in association with post-theory experiment-it is hard to accommodate within the accepted theoretical framework of computer science. We propose Empirical Modelling (EM) as an alternative conceptual framework for computing that is better adapted to the demands of exploratory experiment.The phrase "experimenting with computing" admits many interpretations. Two interpretations are topical in this paper. One refers to using computers in support of experimental activity, the other to innovative thinking associated with experiments in practical computing. Under both interpretations, the words 'experimenting' and 'computing' are being used in a broad sense-in contrast with the strict definitions of these activities that might be proposed in experimental science or computer science. Specifically, the term 'experimenting' is being used to refer quite generally to activities that involve taking an action whose effect is unknown, and the term 'computing' to the wide range of activities that exploit computer-related technology.The four principal sections of the paper: introduce the notions of exploratory and post-theory experiment; sketch key ideas from the philosophy of mathematics and science that motivate EM; illustrate the qualities of EM in support of exploratory experimental activity by means of a simple example; and briefly indicate some of the semantic and philosophical implications of adopting EM most relevant to theories and agency.

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Section: Em From a Philosophical Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Experimenting with computing

Beynon

Russ

2008

Journal of Applied Logic

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“…In this section, we illustrate our approach and point of view on modeling through a common example taken from [5], a traffic system. The goal of the traffic system is to ensure "orderly safe traffic".…”

Section: Example: Traffic Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To some extent, it is inevitable that some parts of the requirements may be given only an informal characterization, as they ultimately reside in customers' expectations about what the system should achieve. Nonetheless, it is increasingly argued that formalization can (and should) play a role even at the requirements level, and thus in dealing with properties of the environment [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even if "a formalized requirement is always incomplete" [5], how much effort and accuracy should be invested in introducing the formalization of a significant part of a SIS's requirements (and environment)?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fact, the boundary between what can be formalized and what cannot is often fuzzy and application-dependent. Therefore, attempts at formalizing aspects that are "deeper in the environment" [5] of a SIS often result in a better understanding of the system and of the boundaries themselves. This usually offers the possibility of achieving a better system design, a more accurate verification process, and, more generally, a higher confidence in the dependability of the system that is built.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modeling the Environment in Software-Intensive Systems

Furia

Rossi

Mandrioli

2007

International Workshop on Modeling in Software Engineering (MISE'07: ICSE Workshop 2007)

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In this paper we argue that the modeling activity in the development of software-intensive systems should formalize as much as possible of the environment in which the application being developed operates. We also show that a rich formal model of the environment helps developers clearly state requirements that might typically be considered intrinsically informal (or nonformalizable in general). To illustrate this point, we show how a requirement for "orderly safe traffic" in a traffic system can be modeled, and we briefly discuss the benefits thereof.

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Mindstorms Revisited: Making New Construals of Seymour Papert’s Legacy

Beynon

2017

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What Can We Expect from Program Verification?

Cited by 18 publications

References 8 publications

Experimenting with computing

Experimenting with computing

Modeling the Environment in Software-Intensive Systems

Mindstorms Revisited: Making New Construals of Seymour Papert’s Legacy

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