Rigorous Software Engineering

VVZ:Open in Course Catalogue

Semester:Spring 2026

Number:252-0216-00L

Lecturer: Dr. Malte Schwerhoff,  Prof. Dr. Martin Vechev

Head TA:

Mark Vero (use Moodle for questions whenever possible)

TA:

Jasper Dekoninck,  Kazuki Egashira,  Thibaud Gloaguen,  Yuhao Mao,  Niels Mündler,  Robin Staab,  Chenhao Sun

Lecture: Wed 12-14 (HG F 3), Thu 12-14 (HG F 3)

Exercise: Mon 14-16 (IFW A 36), Thu 16-18 (LFW C 5)

Credits:8

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Overview

This course provides an overview of techniques to build correct software, with a strong focus on testing and program analysis. In particular, we will cover topics including:

• Code documentation
• Modularity and coupling (Design patterns)
• Dynamic program analysis (Testing, fuzzing, concolic execution)
• Static program analysis (Numerical abstract interpretation, pointer analysis, symbolic execution)
• Formal modeling (Alloy)

Students apply the learned techniques to solve a group project in the area of program analysis.

Organization

Note that the modalities described below are subject to change throughout the semester.

Lectures

• Lectures will generally be held in-person in  HG F 3 and will be recorded.
• Note: On Thu 27th of Feb, the lecture will take place in HG G 3!
• Recordings can be found here.
• However, we cannot guarantee that the recordings will capture all content and activity presented in the lecture, therefore we recommend attending the lectures in person.

Exercises

• Exercise sheets and corresponding solutions will be published here by Wednesday evening. Please solve the exercises before the next topics's exercise block and before looking at the solutions.
• Exercise sessions start on Thursday in the first week of the semester (22.02). There will be identical sessions in Thursday-Monday blocks in person. The exercise sessions will consist of a discussion of the solutions of the previous problem sheet, a brief recap of the current week's topics, and a pre-discussion of the next problem sheet.
  • Groups 1 + 2 (Mon 14-16): Physical in IFW A 36
  • Groups 3 + 4 (Thur 16-18): Physical in LFW C 5
• Exercise sessions will not be recorded.

Moodle

• TBD

Lectures

Use your NETHZ account to access the slides.

Date	Content	Slides
Feb 18	Introduction

Exercises

Use your NETHZ account to access the exercises.

No.	Due Date	Content	Exercises	Solutions
1	Feb 26	Documentation and Contracts

Project

Details on the course project will be communicated in a dedicated lecture.

Previous exams

Previous exams are available in the exam collection of the student association (VIS).