[Past issues of the newsletter are available at
http://www.bell-labs.com/topic/conferences/lics/ and
ftp://ftp.research.bell-labs.com/dist/lics/newsletters.]
BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT
The Classical Decision Problem
E. Boerger, E. Graedel, Y. Gurevich
Springer Verlag, 1996, 482 pp.
(Perspectives in Mathematical Logic)
ISBN 3-540-57073-X
* This is the most complete and comprehensive treatment available in
book form of the classical decision problem of mathematical logic
and its role in modern computer science. A revealing analysis of
the natural order of decidable and undecidable cases is given, and
of particular interest to the reader will be the complete
classification of the solvable and unsolvable standard cases of the
classical decision problem, the complexity analysis of the solvable
cases, the extremely comprehensive treatment of the reduction
method, and the model-theoretic analysis of solvable cases. Many
cases are treated here for the first time, and a great number of
simple proofs and exercises have been included. The results and
methods of the book have been used in logic, computer science &
artifical intelligence.
* Ordering information. See the URL above.
BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT
Resolution Proof Systems: An Algebraic Theory
Zbigniew Stachniak
Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1996
ISBN 0-7923-4017-5
* This book presents a new algebraic framework for the design and
analysis of resolution based automated reasoning systems for a range
of non-classical logics. It develops an algebraic theory of
resolution proof systems focusing on the problems of proof theory,
representation, and efficiency of the deductive process. A new
class of logical calculi, the class of resolution logics, emerges as
a second theme of the book. The logical and computational aspects of
the relationship between resolution logics and resolution proof
systems is explored in the context of monotonic as well as
nonmonotonic reasoning. The book is aimed primarily at researchers
and graduate students in Artificial Intelligence, Symbolic, and
Computational Logic. The material is suitable either as a reference
book for researchers or as a text book for a graduate course on the
theoretical aspects of Automated Reasoning and Computational Logic.
NEW PhD PROGRAM AT MUNICH (LMU AND TU)
* Program. The Department of Mathematics of the Ludwig-Maximilians-
Universitaet Muenchen and the Department of Computer Science of the
Technischen Universitaet Muenchen (Germany) will establish a new
postgraduate program ("Graduiertenkolleg") entitled "Logic in Computer
Science" starting on April 1st, 1997. The aim is to extend the
applicability of logical methods for design, specification, verification
and optimization of programs, program systems and hardware.
* Topics. Logical foundations: Lambda calculus, equational logic, temporal
logic, model checking (Buchholz, Buettner, Clote, Kroeger, Nipkow,
Schulz, Schwichtenberg). Theorem provers: integration of (higher order)
equational logic, combination of theorem provers and special methods
(Buchholz, Buettner, Clote, Kroeger, Nipkow, Schulz, Schwichtenberg).
Modeling of distributed systems (Broy, Buettner, Kroeger, Wirsing).
Specification and verification (Antreich, Broy, Clote, Kroeger, Nipkow,
Schwichtenberg, Wirsing). Foundations of software technology (Antreich,
Broy, Wirsing).
* Grants. We offers 6 PhD grants for a period of maximally three years.
* Applications. Applicants with very high qualification in one of the
mentioned or related research topics are invited to send their
applications with the usual documents (curriculum vitae, certifications,
copies of master's thesis and publications, description of intended
project, two letters of recommendation) not later than February 15th, 1997
to the chairman of the postgraduate program: Prof. Helmut Schwichtenberg,
Mathematisches Institut der LMU, Theresienstr. 39, D-80333 Muenchen,
Tel. +49 89 2394 4413/4, Fax +49 89 280 5248,
E-mail: schwicht@rz.mathematik.uni-muenchen.de.
ICLP'97 CALL FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS
International Conference on Logic Programming
July 8-11, 1997, Leuven, Belgium
* Persons intending to organize a workshop at ICLP'97 are invited to
submit a workshop proposal by January 15, 1997 by e-mail to
iclp97@cs.kuleuven.ac.be. The workshop proposal should clearly
indicate: the title of the workshop, the topics this title covers,
discussion of the timeliness and relevance of the workshop, the name
and e-mail address of the organizing persons, with indication of one
of them as the workshop coordinator.
ICLP'97 CALL FOR TUTORIAL PROPOSALS
International Conference on Logic Programming
July 8-11, 1997, Leuven, Belgium
* Proposals are invited for tutorials to be held at ICLP'97. Persons
interested in presenting a tutorial at ICLP'97 are invited to submit
a tutorial proposal by February 27, 1997 by e-mail to
iclp97@cs.kuleuven.ac.be. The tutorial proposal should include the
title of the tutorial, a summary, stating the topics it covers, the
name and e-mail address of the speaker, any required specific
equipment, other than an overhead projector, duration of the
tutorial (preferably 2 hours).
NINTH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE RESEARCHERS
Architecture Design and Validation Methods
Lipari Island, 22 June - 5 July 1997
* The Ninth School for Computer Science Researchers addresses PhD
students and young researchers who want to get exposed to the
forefront of research activity in the field of "Architecture Design
and Validation Methods". The school will be held in the beautiful
surroundings of the Island of Lipari which can be reached by ferry
from Naples, Milazzo, Messina, Reggio Calabria and Palermo. The
official language is English. Students must follow six courses and
choose three of them for the exam. A proficiency final exam at the
end of each chosen course is mandatory. Saturday of the first week
will be entirely dedicated to open research problems and discussion.
* Application. A letter of application must be sent to Prof. Alfredo
Ferro, Dipartimento di Matematica-Citta' Universitaria, Viale
A. Doria, 6-95125, Catania, Italy, Fax: +39-95-330094, and must be
received by April 20, 1997. The application should contain a
c.v. plus at least two letters of recommendation but no
papers. Students will be informed about acceptance by April 30,
1997.The registration fee for the school is 300 U.S. dollars per
person. American students of the EAACSS consortium will be excused
from payment of registration fees.
* Courses. High Level Design (R. Camposano), Logic Synthesis and
Optimization (G. De Micheli), Machine Assisted Verification
(H. Eveking), Validation Methods (Z. Manna and E. Boerger), Layout
design (R. Otten), Hw/Sw Co-Design (A. San Giovanni Vincentelli).
20th INTERNATIONAL WITTGENSTEIN SYMPOSIUM
10-16 August 1997
Kirchberg am Wechsel, Lower Austria
* General Theme. The Role of Pragmatics in Contemporary Philosophy.
* Sections. Pragmatic Aspects of Applied Logic. The Pragmatic
Dimension of Language. Pragmatic Problems in the Philosophy of
Science. Pragmatic Approaches in Ethics and in the Theory of
Action. Pragmatic Philosophers and Pragmatic Systems of Thought.
Wittgenstein.
* Invited speakers. E. W. Adams, M. Bierwisch, D. Birnbacher,
J. Bouveresse, J. Conant, P. Dick, L. Flores, P. Gaerdenfors,
K. Gemes, P. Gochet, H. Haider, P. H. Hare, W. L. Harper,
R. Hilpinen, R. C. Jeffrey, H. Kamp, H. Kreutz, T. Kuipers,
N. Kurtonina, G. Meggle, P. Mittelstaedt, E. Morscher, D. Pears,
J. L. Pollock, N. Rescher, E. von Savigny, E. Sidorenko, B. Skyrms,
P. Suppes, R. Wojcicki.
* Participation. If you want to participate, please contact by letter,
fax or phone call: The Austrian Ludwig Wittgenstein Society,
Congress Office, Markt 63, A-2880 Kirchberg am Wechsel, Austria,
Europe, Telephone and Telefax: 01143 2641 2557. A detailed
registration form will then be sent to you.
BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT
Specification of abstract data types
J. Loeckx, H.-D. Ehrich, M. Wolf
Wiley-Teubner, 1996
* The book provides an authoritative introduction to the mathematical
foundations of algebraic program specification. Unlike most other
publications on the subject, this book does not draw on category
theory, but instead tries to demystify the topic and promote its use
in practical applications. It clearly distinguishes between the
study of algebras, logic, specification methods and specification
languages and it avoids focusing on a particular logic or a
particular specification method. After an informal discussion on
the design of reliable software, the book presents the main notions
and properties of algebras. Next it investigates logic, introducing
a general notion of logic, encompassing those commonly used. On the
basis of these fundamentals it describes in some detail three
specification methods and the principles of specification
languages. It concludes with a case study illustrating the use of
abstract data type specification in software design. While treating
the subject with mathematical precision, the book contains numerous
examples, exercises and comments to provide a deeper understanding
of concepts discussed. It was conceived as a student textbook but
will also be a useful source of reference for researchers and
developers using formal specification methods for software design.
BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT
Frontiers of combining systems
Proceedings of the First International Workshop, Munich, March 1996
edited by F. Baader and K. U. Schulz
Kluwer Academic Publishers
Applied Logic Series 3
October 1996, 400 pp.
ISBN 0-7923-4271-1
* The volume contains research papers that cover the combination of
logics, the combination of constraint-solving techniques and
decision procedures, the combination of deductive systems, the
integration of data structures into Constraint Logic Programming
formalisms, and logic modelling of multi-agent systems. These
problems are addressed on different conceptual levels: from the
investigation of formal properties of combined systems using methods
of logic and mathematics to the consideration of physical
connections and communication languages relavent for combination of
software tools.
SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON LOGIC PROGRAM SYNTHESIS AND TRANSFORMATION (LOPSTR'97)
Leuven, Belgium, July 10-12, 1997
* Scope. Program specialisation and transformation, program synthesis,
systematic program development in a declarative programming setting,
focusing on logic programming in particular.
* Submission. Extended abstracts (5-8 pages excluding references and
appendices) must be submitted before April 18 either by e-mail
(PostScript file to fuchs@ifi.unizh.ch), or 5 copies should be sent
to Norbert E. Fuchs, Department of Computer Science, University of
Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland. Submission of abstracts in
PostScript by e-mail is preferred however, submissions in paper form
are also possible. Submissions should include a return postal
address and an e-mail address. Submissions will be reviewed by at
least three members of the programme committee. Accepted abstracts
will be collected into preliminary proceedings which will be
available at the workshop. At least one author of each accepted
abstract is expected to attend the workshop.
INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL
Verification of Digital and Hybrid Systems
An Advanced Study Institute of the NATO Science Committee
May 26-June 6, 1997, Adora Golf Resort Hotel, Belek, Antalya, Turkey
* Objective. The Summer School is a course of two weeks duration. The
objective of the school is to expose in a systematic manner the
recent advances in the formal verification of systems composed of
both logical and continuous time components. The first week of the
summer school shall focus on the issues involved in the formulation
and the verification of the discrete event models. The issues
involved cover theorem proving, system automaton models, logics,
tools and complexity of verification techniques. The second part of
the course shall explicitly deal with complex hybrid structures
where discrete event models interact with continuous time control
models. A paradigmatic case of such a hybrid system and associated
verification issues is the example of smart cars moving on smart
highways which shall constitute the case study of part 2. One clear
objective of the summer school is to expose the interplay between
two major disciplines of computer science and control theory in the
context of hybrid systems.
* Lectures will be given by: K. Inan, R. Kurshan, K. Mcmillan,
J. Sifakis, P. Varaiya, R. Alur, C. Courcoubetis, A. Desphande,
T. Henzinger, J. Moore, D. Peled, A. Pnueli, J. van Schuppen.
* Application. For application form see the URL above or send mail
to nato-asi@srdc.metu.edu.tr.