formal methods

<mathematics, specification>

Mathematically based techniques for the specification, development and verification of software and hardware systems.

Referentially transparent languages are amenable to symbolic manipulation allowing program transformation (e.g. changing a clear inefficient specification into an obscure but efficient program) and proof of correctness.

Oxford FM archive.

Last updated: 1996-05-15

Nearby terms:

Formal Description Technique ♦ formal methods ♦ Formal Object Role Modeling Language

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