This is a beginners book, and keeping in mind we can't teach them everything in the first "semester," do you still think this topic should be included?
Definitely think the groundwork can be laid out without covering the entire breadth of formal methods. Even a history lesson with Djiskstra, Lamport, Mizra, et al can be illuminating. It's good to lay the foundation so that when a beginner encounters a problem they have the instincts to know that they should look up these tools in order to help them.
I found it a shame that I didn't encounter these tools only until very recently. It's a well kept secret in academia that I think should be shared.
I found it a shame that I didn't encounter these tools only until very recently. It's a well kept secret in academia that I think should be shared.