Abstract State Machines and the Inquiry Process

Abstract State Machines have long played a valuable role as a catalyst for inquiry into software problems. In the ASM literature, however, there is a tendency to omit reflection on the process of ASM-based design and analysis, focusing instead on final, complete ASM products . As educators, we believe it is important to expose our students to a full, explicit process of inquiry, using ASMs as a vehicle to motivate active questioning. We report on our experiences in bringing ASM-based inquiry to the classroom. A course plan that combines ASMs and Problem Frames has proved effective in eliciting critical inquiry among students.