Focusing on the formal verification of computer programs, this short communication discusses the relationship between C.A.R. Hoare's axiomatic approach to programming and an approach presented in a book by Wymore. Hoare's system aims to use deductive inference to formally prove that a program performs its intended computation. The author highlights the advantage of Hoare's axiomatic system, which promises a rigorous method for verifying program correctness. This approach would allow designers to conclusively demonstrate that a computer program behaves as intended, reducing the risk of errors and improving software reliability. The communication aims to explore the connections between Hoare's concepts and Wymore's approach, potentially identifying synergies or complementary aspects. By examining different axiomatic approaches, this work contributes to the ongoing development of formal methods for software verification. The goal is to establish a sound theoretical foundation for ensuring program correctness, which is crucial for building reliable and trustworthy software systems. The use of deductive inference is a key element in this pursuit.
This short comment published in Communications of the ACM discusses theoretical concepts in computer programming. The relationship between Hoare's concepts and an approach in a book by Wymore are considered.