Formal Methods, Informally

Name: Formal Methods, Informally
Price: 215.82 AUD
Availability: OutOfStock
ISBN: 9781009420990

How to Write Programs That Work

Carroll Morgan (University of New South Wales, Sydney)

$269.95 $215.82

Hardback

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English

Cambridge University Press
19 February 2026

Program concepts & learning to program; Algorithms & data structures; Software testing & verification; Mathematical theory of computation

Learn to program more effectively, faster, with better results… and enjoy both the learning experience and the benefits it ultimately brings. While this undergraduate-level textbook is motivated by formal methods, so encouraging habits that lead to correct and concise computer programs, its informal presentation sidesteps any rigid reliance on formal logic which programmers are sometimes led to believe is required. Instead, a straightforward and intuitive use of simple 'What's true here?' comments encourages precision of thought without prescription of notation. Drawing on decades of the author's experience in teaching/industry, the text's careful presentation concentrates on key principles of structuring and reasoning about programs, applying them first to small, understandable algorithms. Then students can concentrate on turning those reliably into their corresponding – and correct – program source codes. The text includes over 200 exercises, for many of which full solutions are provided. A set of all solutions is available for instructors' use.

By: Carroll Morgan (University of New South Wales Sydney)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Weight: 1.005kg
ISBN: 9781009420990
ISBN 10: 1009420992
Pages: 374
Publication Date: 19 February 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Carroll Morgan has been an innovator, educator and researcher in computer science for his whole career: first in industry, then as Lecturer and Fellow at the University of Oxford, and finally as Professor at the University of New South Wales. He is best known for his pioneering work in systematic- and correctness-oriented methods of writing computer programs and systems, and especially for his text Programming from Specifications. He is a member of IFIPWorking Groups 1.3, 1.7, 2.1 and 2.3 and received (jointly) the 'Best Cybersecurity Paper of the Year' award from the National Security Agency in 2015.

Reviews for Formal Methods, Informally: How to Write Programs That Work

'This accessible and compellingly written book will deepen your understanding of how code works and why it works correctly. It is full of practical insights for both students and experienced programmers, as well as university educators looking for a new - and better - way to teach programming.' Graeme Smith, University of Queensland 'Carroll Morgan's Formal Methods, Informally is a timely guide to checking everyday code by asking the right questions. Building on distilled logic and math mechanisms, rigorous thinking is promoted as a most valuable tool for developing verifiable software. This book is an insightful must-read for students, educators and practitioners alike.' Luigia Petre, Åbo Akademi University