Application of Formal Methods in Software Engineering

The purpose of this research work is to examine: (1) why are necessary the formal methods for software systems today, (2) high integrity systems through the methodology C-by-C –Correctness-by-Construction–, and (3) an affordable methodology to apply formal methods in software engineering. The research process included reviews of the literature through Internet, in publications and presentations in events. Among the Research results found that: (1) there is increasing the dependence that the nations have, the companies and people of software systems, (2) there is growing demand for software Engineering to increase social trust in the software systems, (3) exist methodologies, as C-by-C, that can provide that level of trust, (4) Formal Methods constitute a principle of computer science that can be applied software engineering to perform reliable process in software development, (5) software users have the responsibility to demand reliable software products, and (6) software engineers have the responsibility to develop reliable software products. Furthermore, it is concluded that: (1) it takes more research to identify and analyze other methodologies and tools that provide process to apply the Formal Software Engineering methods, (2) Formal Methods provide an unprecedented ability to increase the trust in the exactitude of the software products and (3) by development of new methodologies and tools is being achieved costs are not more a disadvantage for application of formal methods.