Evolving directions in formal methods

Abstract

Formal methods have demonstrated their effectiveness in a number of application areas, but are still not widely used in the computing industry. Advances in theorem proving tools, particularly those combining model checking with traditional interactive proof techniques are reducing the cost of formal techniques. Although traditionally used for analyzing the correctness of specifications against requirements (and to a lesser extent the correctness of source code), formal methods can help reduce the cost of test generation, making formal methods more cost effective.