The name "temporal logic" may sound complex and daunting; but while they
describe potentially complex scenarios, temporal logics are often based
on a few simple, and fundamental, concepts - highlighted in this book.
An Introduction to Practical Formal Methods Using Temporal Logic
provides an introduction to formal methods based on temporal logic, for
developing and testing complex computational systems. These methods are
supported by many well-developed tools, techniques and results that can
be applied to a wide range of systems.
Fisher begins with a full introduction to the subject, covering the
basics of temporal logic and using a variety of examples, exercises and
pointers to more advanced work to help clarify and illustrate the topics
discussed. He goes on to describe how this logic can be used to specify
a variety of computational systems, looking at issues of linking
specifications, concurrency, communication and composition ability. He
then analyses temporal specification techniques such as deductive
verification, algorithmic verification, and direct execution to develop
and verify computational systems. The final chapter on case studies
analyses the potential problems that can occur in a range of engineering
applications in the areas of robotics, railway signalling, hardware
design, ubiquitous computing, intelligent agents, and information
security, and explains how temporal logic can improve their accuracy and
reliability.
- Models temporal notions and uses them to analyze computational systems
- Provides a broad approach to temporal logic across many formal
methods - including specification, verification and implementation
- Introduces and explains freely available tools based on temporal
logics and shows how these can be applied
- Presents exercises and pointers to further study in each chapter, as
well as an accompanying website providing links to additional systems
based upon temporal logic as well as additional material related to
the book.
