On Concurrent Programming [Hardcover]

Concurrent computing is gaining ground in interest as it becomes increasingly feasible to implement distributed computing across networks of workstations. This book, by one of the subject's leading figures, provides a comprehensive survey of the subject beginning with proposotional logic and concluding with concurrent programming. It is based on graduate courses taught at Cornell University and is designed to be used as a graduate text. There are exercises at the end of each chapter to extend and illustrate the main themes covered. Professor Schneier emphasizes the use of formal methods and assertional reasoning using notation and paradigms drawn from programming to drive the exposition. As a result, all those interested in studying concurrent computing will find this to be an invaluable approach to the subject.1 Introduction.- 1.1 Concurrent Programs.- 1.2 Communication and Synchronization.- 1.3 Understanding Concurrent Programs.- 1.4 A Preview.- Historical Notes for Chapter 1.- Exercises for Chapter 1.- 2 Formal Logic.- 2.1 Formal Logical Systems.- 2.2 Propositional Logic.- 2.3 A Predicate Logic.- 2.4 Safety and Liveness Revisited.- Historical Notes for Chapter 2.- Exercises for Chapter 2.- 3 Temporal Logic.- 3.1 Informal Preview.- 3.2 Syntax and Meaning of Formulas.- 3.3 Axioms and Inference Rules.- 3.4 Temporal Logic Applications.- 3.5 About Modal Logics.- Historical Notes for Chapter 3.- Exercises for Chapter 3.- 4 Notation and Logic for Sequential Programming.- 4.1 Notation for Sequential Programs.- 4.2 Reasoning About Program States.- 4.3 Proof Outline Logic.- 4.4 Assignment to Composite Variables.- 4.5 A Predicate Transformer.- Historical Notes for Chapter 4.- Exercises for Chapter 4.- 5 Concurrency and Interference.- 5.1 Specifying Concurrency.- 5.2 Control Predicate Axioms.- 5.3 Interference Freedom.- 5.4 Hiding Control Predicates in Derived Terms.- 5.5 Synchronously Altered and Shared Assertions.- 5.6 Specifying Synchronization.- 5.7 Synchronization and Ilƒ6