Mordechai Ben-Ari

This is the first introductory textbook on Spin, the only requirement is a background in programming. Spin models are written in the Promela language which is easily learned by students and programmers. Spin is easy to install and use. The Spin model checker is not only a widely used professional tool but it is also a superb tool for teaching important concepts of computer science such as verification, concurrency and nondeterminism. The book introduces Spin-based software that the author has developed for teaching. Complete programs demonstrate each construct and concept and these programs are available on a companion website.

Principles of the Spin Model Checker

Francesco Mondada

This open access book bridges the gap between playing with robots in school and studying robotics at the upper undergraduate and graduate levels to prepare for careers in industry and research. Robotic algorithms are presented formally, but using only mathematics known by high-school and first-year college students, such as calculus, matrices and probability. Concepts and algorithms are explained through detailed diagrams and calculations. Elements of Robotics presents an overview of different types of robots and the components used to build robots, but focuses on robotic algorithms: simple algorithms like odometry and feedback control, as well as algorithms for advanced topics like localization, mapping, image processing, machine learning and swarm robotics. These algorithms are demonstrated in simplified contexts that enable detailed computations to be performed and feasible activities to be posed. Students who study these simplified demonstrations will be well prepared for advanced study of robotics. The algorithms are presented at a relatively abstract level, not tied to any specific robot. Instead a generic robot is defined that uses elements common to most educational robots: differential drive with two motors, proximity sensors and some method of displaying output to the user. The theory is supplemented with over 100 activities, most of which can be successfully implemented using inexpensive educational robots. Activities that require more computation can be programmed on a computer. Archives are available with suggested implementations for the Thymio robot and standalone programs in Python.

Elements of Robotics

Ada is the programming language of choice for high integrity software systems and is used extensively in industries such as transportation and aerospace. Special features of the book include: Object-oriented programming, concurrency, and embedded and real-time systems are emphasized. Ada for Software Engineers explains the language concepts and the terminology of the standards document, the Ada Reference Manual (ARM). Extracts from the ARM are used throughtout and there are extensive cross references to the ARM. A comprehensive glossary and technical quizzes assist the reader in developing the ability to use the ARM as a practical reference. Comparisons with familiar languages like C and Java are given to facilitate the transition to Ada. The features of Ada 2005 are used routinely, but they are carefully identified, so that programmers using Ada 95 will also find the textbook useful. The companion website contains the full source code of nearly 100 case studies and 100 technical quizzes.

Ada for Software Engineers

Mathematical Logic for Computer Science is a mathematics textbook with theorems and proofs, but the choice of topics has been guided by the needs of students of computer science. The method of semantic tableaux provides an elegant way to teach logic that is both theoretically sound and easy to understand. The uniform use of tableaux-based techniques facilitates learning advanced logical systems based on what the student has learned from elementary systems. The logical systems presented are: propositional logic, first-order logic, resolution and its application to logic programming, Hoare logic for the verification of sequential programs, and linear temporal logic for the verification of concurrent programs. The third edition has been entirely rewritten and includes new chapters on central topics of modern computer science: SAT solvers and model checking.

Mordechai Ben-Ari

Books

Your next favorite book is out there