B is a tool-supported formal method based around AMN (Abstract Machine Notation), used in the development of computer software. It was originally developed by Jean-Raymond Abrial in France and the UK. B is related to the Z notation (also originated by Abrial) and supports development of programming language code from specifications. B has been used in major safety-critical system applications in Europe (such as the Paris Metro Line 14), and is attracting increasing interest in industry. It has robust, commercially available tool support for specification, design, proof and code generation. In computer science, formal methods refers to a variety of scientific and engineering techniques for rigorous reasoning about the correctness of computer programs, chiefly based on the use of mathematical logic. ... Abstract Machine Notation (AMN) is a programming language for specifying abstract machines in the B-Method, based on the mathematical theory of Generalised Substitutions. ... Computer software (or simply software) refers to one or more computer programs and data held in the storage of a computer for some purpose. ... Jean-Raymond Abrial, French computer scientist. ... The Z notation (universally pronounced zed, named after Zermelo-Fränkel set theory) is a formal specification language used for describing and modelling computing systems. ... A programming language or computer language is a standardized communication technique for expressing instructions to a computer. ... A life-critical system or safety-critical system is a system whose failure or malfunction may result in death or serious injury. ... A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is the worlds second-smallest continent in terms of area, with an area of 10,600,000 km² (4,140,625 square miles), making it larger than Australia only. ... 1/10 scale model of the new m2 metro in Lausanne, of the same type as the Paris line 14. ... A program specification is the definition of what a computer program is expected to do. ... Software engineering (SE) is the profession concerned with specifying, designing, developing and maintaining software applications by applying technologies and practices from computer science, project management, and other fields. ... Look up Proof on Wiktionary, the free dictionary The word proof can mean: Shit and wanker originally, a test assessing the validity or quality of something. ... In computer science, code generation is the process by which a compiler converts a syntactically-correct program into a series of instructions that could be executed by a machine. ...

The method of software development based on B is known as the B-Method. Software engineering (SE) is the profession concerned with specifying, designing, developing and maintaining software applications by applying technologies and practices from computer science, project management, and other fields. ...

Compared to Z, B is slightly more low-level and more focused on refinement to code rather than just formal specification – hence it is easier to implement a specification written in B correctly than one in Z. In particular, there is good tool support for this. The word selectivity has more meanings: Selectivity, the ability to notice/distinguish small diferences. ... A formal specification is a mathematical description of software or hardware that may be used to develop an implementation. ...

Books

• The B-Book: Assigning Programs to Meanings, Jean-Raymond Abrial, Cambridge University Press, 1996. ISBN 0-521-49619-5.
• The B-Method: An Introduction, Steve Schneider, Palgrave, Cornerstones of Computing series, 2001. ISBN 0-333-79284-X.
• Software Engineering with B, John Wordsworth, Addison Wesley Longman, 1996. ISBN 0-201-40356-0.
• The B Language and Method: A Guide to Practical Formal Development, Kevin Lano, Springer-Verlag, FACIT series, 1996. ISBN 3-540-76033-4.
• Specification in B: An Introduction using the B Toolkit, Kevin Lano, World Scientific Publishing Company, Imperial College Press, 1996. ISBN 1-86094008-0.

Jean-Raymond Abrial, French computer scientist. ... The headquarters of the Cambridge University Press, in Trumpington Street, Cambridge. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Palgrave (or Palsgrave) is the English title of a Count Palatine (Pfalzgraf) of the Holy Roman Empire. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... The Springer-Verlag (pronounced SHPRING er FAIR lahk) was a worldwide publishing company base in Germany. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ...

See also

• Abstract Machine Notation (AMN), the notation used by the B-Method
• Z notation, a similar formal specification notation
• Jean-Raymond Abrial, progenitor of the B-Method
• Paris Metro Line 14, a project that used the B-Method
• B programming language, not to be confused with the B-Method

Abstract Machine Notation (AMN) is a programming language for specifying abstract machines in the B-Method, based on the mathematical theory of Generalised Substitutions. ... The Z notation (universally pronounced zed, named after Zermelo-Fränkel set theory) is a formal specification language used for describing and modelling computing systems. ... A formal specification is a mathematical description of software or hardware that may be used to develop an implementation. ... Jean-Raymond Abrial, French computer scientist. ... 1/10 scale model of the new m2 metro in Lausanne, of the same type as the Paris line 14. ... B was the name of a programming language developed at Bell Labs. ...

External links

• The B-Method in the Virtual Library formal methods pages
• Atelier B tool
• B-Core (UK) Ltd
• Site B Grenoble