M. Butler, K.-D. Schewe, A. Mashkoor, M. Biró (ed.): Abstract State Machines, Alloy, B, TLA, VDM, and Z: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference, ABZ 2016, Linz, Austria, May 23-27, 2016, Springer International Publishing 426 p, 2016, Lecture Notes in Computer Science; 9675, ISBN:978-3-319-33599-52016,
doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-33600-8
At ABZ 2016 four keynotes were presented. Egon Börger from the University of Pisa presented his research on modelling distributed algorithms using the ASM method in comparison with Petri nets. Richard Banach from the University of Manchester shed light on rigorous specification and refinement of hybrid and cyber-physical systems. Thierry Lecomte from Clearsy presented recent developments in Atelier-B. Klaus Reichl from Thales Austria addressed the rigorous modelling of safety-critical railway applications. In addition to these keynotes, the conference offered two tutorials on hybrid systems development and business process modelling with rigorous methods, which were given by Richard Banach and Bernhard Thalheim together with Felix Kossak, respectively. We are grateful to the four invited speakers and the tutorial presenters for contributing to the success of ABZ 2016. After the successful installment of a case study track at ABZ 2014 addressing a “landing gear system” to be modelled with state-based rigorous methods, ABZ 2016 offered another challenging case study addressing a hemodialysis machine. ABZ 2016 received 61 submissions covering the whole spectrum of rigorous methods within the scope of the conference. These papers ranged from fundamental contributions, applications in industrial contexts, tool developments and improvements, and contributions to the case study. Each paper was reviewed by at least four reviewers and the Program Committee accepted 12 regular research papers, 15 short papers presenting work in progress and five papers on the case study.