Abstract State Machines, Alloy, B and Z: Second International Conference, ABZ 2010, Orford, QC, Canada, February 22-25, 2010, Proceedings

Abstract State Machines, Alloy, B and Z is the proceedings volume for the second ABZ conference, held in Orford, Québec, in February 2010. It brings together research from four closely connected formal-methods traditions and shows how they overlap around a shared concern: modeling systems with mathematical precision so they can be analyzed, refined, and trusted.

What this volume covers

The papers and abstracts in this collection reflect the breadth of the ABZ community in 2010. The conference program includes invited talks, long papers, and short papers, with material spanning foundational ideas, tool support, and applied work. The volume is especially useful as a snapshot of how Abstract State Machines, Alloy, B, and Z were being used and developed across research and industrial contexts.

A focused look at rigorous system modeling

Across the proceedings, the emphasis is on precise specification and dependable development. That makes this a strong fit for readers interested in formal methods, refinement, verification, and the practical side of mathematically disciplined software and hardware design.

Why it stands out

ABZ was created to encourage cross-fertilization between these four methods, and that interdisciplinary intent is visible throughout the volume. Rather than treating each approach in isolation, the conference format brings them into conversation, which gives the book a distinctive value for researchers and advanced practitioners who want to compare techniques, tools, and perspectives.

Useful for researchers and advanced students

This is not an introductory textbook, but it is highly relevant for readers working in formal specification, software engineering research, and verification-oriented development. If you follow the evolution of state-based methods, this proceedings collection offers a concentrated view of the field at a particular and historically important moment.

Publication details

The book is part of the Lecture Notes in Computer Science series and was published by Springer. It was edited by Marc Frappier, Uwe Glässer, Sarfraz Khurshid, Régine Laleau, and Steve Reeves.