Formal Methods at SBES: Evolution and Perspectives

The theoretical foundations of software engineering are based on the notion of formal model. Models used in this area describe computer systems, i.e. they not only describe static aspects but also dynamic aspects of systems behavior. Many different types of models have been used to build and analyze software systems, describing the system from different points of view and also at different levels of abstraction. As in other engineering disciplines, models must be accurate and non ambiguous. This means they must be expressed in languages with formally defined syntax and semantics. Based on these formal models, it is possible to define methods to build, analyze, transform, compare, and maintain software systems. This article discusses the presence of formal methods over the 25 years of SBES, including the creation of the Brazilian Symposium on Formal Methods and discusses potential developments for the area.