Scientists debate large scale software verification

(PhysOrg.com) -- The recent VSTTE conference at Heriot-Watt debated the scientific challenges facing large scale software verification.

The Third International Conference on Verified Software: Theories, Tools & Experiments (VSTTE) was held recently at Heriot-Watt University - the first time the three year conference has been held in the UK.

VSTTE is a prestigious international conference debating the scientific challenges facing large scale software verification, including aspiring to zero defect software.

The three day event programme supports a 15 year cooperative and international project, the Verified Software Initiative, and brought together academics and theorists who were able to realise the vision of eliminating defects from all software.

According to Heriot-Watt honorary graduate, Sir Tony Hoare of Microsoft, who is responsible for the creation of VSTTE and the Verified Software Initiative, and one of the presenters, this conference addressed the issues that the competitive industry market cannot currently satisfy.

He said, "Conferences like VSTTE are essential to bring together the teams of many talents that are needed to realize the vision of zero defect software."

Heriot-Watt’s School of Mathematics and Computer Sciences Lecturer, Dr Andrew Ireland, was the lead organiser of the conference. VSTTE has attracted large scale funding from a number of bodies such as SISCA and NSF.

The conference has previously been held in Toronto (2008) and Zurich (2005)

Provided by Heriot-Watt University