The Seven Myths of Formal Methods By: Becky Muller Cosc:481

Road Map Anthony Halls Formal Methods Myths The first seven Myths Seven more Myths Conclusion

Hall’s Myths In 1990, Anthony Hall published a paper that dispelled Seven Myths In 1995 and several applications later formal methods remain the contentious area of software-engineering practice Many nonformalists seem to believe that formal methods are merely an academic exercise -- a form of mental masturbation that has no relation to real-world problems.

Hall Myths (continue) Despite 25 years of use, few people understand exactly what formal methods are or how they are applied. The media's portrayal of formal methods does little to help the situation. In many "popular press" science journals, formal methods are subjected to either deep criticism or, worse, extreme hyperbole.

Hall Myths (continue) Today these myths are held more by the public and the computer-science community at large than by system developers. It is in concern, however, that new myths are being propagated, and more alarmingly, are receiving a certain tacit acceptance from the system-development community.

Seven Myths Formal methods guarantee perfect software and eliminate the need for testing. Formal methods are all about proving programs correct. Formal methods are only useful in safety-critical systems. Application of formal methods requires highly trained mathematicians.

Seven Myths (continue) Applications of formal methods increases development costs. Formal methods are unacceptable to users. Formal methods are not used on real large-scale systems.

Seven More Myths Formal Methods delay develop process Formal Methods are not supported by tools Formal Methods meaning forsaking traditional engineering design methods Formal Methods only apply to software Formal Methods are not required

Seven More Methods continue) Formal Methods are not supported Formal Methods people always use Formal Methods

Conclusion The question arises as to how the technology transfer process from formal methods research to practice. More research is required to develop the use of formal methods

References http://www.dacs.dtic.mil/techs/2fmethods/bib.shtml http://www.jpbowen.com/pub/fme94.pdf#search='Seven%20More%20Myths%20of%20Formal%20Methods‘ http://csdl.computer.org/comp/mags/so/1995/04/s4034abs.htm

References http://www.cs.uiowa.edu/~fleck/myths.html