Ralph-Johan Back
Encyclopedia
Ralph-Johan Back is a Finnish
computer scientist
.
Back originated the refinement calculus
, an important approach to the formal development of programs using stepwise refinement
, in his 1978 PhD
thesis at the University of Helsinki
, On the Correctness of Refinement Steps in Program Development. He has undertaken much subsequent research in this area. He has held positions at CWI
Amsterdam
, the Academy of Finland
and the University of Tampere
.
Since 1983, he has been Professor of Computer Science at the Åbo Akademi University
in Turku
. For 2002–2007 he is an Academy Professor at the Academy of Finland
. He is Director of CREST (Center for Reliable Software Technology) at Åbo Akademi.
His wife, Barbro Back, is Professor of Information Systems, also at Åbo Akademi University
, and he has three children.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
computer scientist
Computer scientist
A computer scientist is a scientist who has acquired knowledge of computer science, the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their application in computer systems....
.
Back originated the refinement calculus
Refinement Calculus
Refinement calculus is a formalized approach to stepwise refinement for program construction. The required behaviour of the final executable program is specified as an abstract and perhaps non-executable "program", which is then refined by a series of correctness-preserving transformations into an...
, an important approach to the formal development of programs using stepwise refinement
Refinement
In formal methods, program refinement is the verifiable transformation of an abstract formal specification into a concrete executable program. Stepwise refinement allows this process to be done in stages...
, in his 1978 PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
thesis at the University of Helsinki
University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is a university located in Helsinki, Finland since 1829, but was founded in the city of Turku in 1640 as The Royal Academy of Turku, at that time part of the Swedish Empire. It is the oldest and largest university in Finland with the widest range of disciplines available...
, On the Correctness of Refinement Steps in Program Development. He has undertaken much subsequent research in this area. He has held positions at CWI
CWI
CWI is an abbreviation for the following organizations/institutions:*Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam, The Netherlands*College of Western Idaho, a new Community College in Nampa, Idaho*Committee for a Workers' International...
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, the Academy of Finland
Academy of Finland
The Academy of Finland is a governmental funding body for scientific research in Finland. It is based in the Finnish capital, Helsinki. Yearly, the Academy administers over 260 million euros to Finnish research activities. Over 5,000 researchers are working on the projects supported by the academy...
and the University of Tampere
University of Tampere
The University of Tampere is a university in Tampere, Finland. It has 15,400 degree students and 2,100 employees. It was originally founded in 1925 in Helsinki as a Civic College , and from 1930 onwards it was known as a School of Social Sciences...
.
Since 1983, he has been Professor of Computer Science at the Åbo Akademi University
Åbo Akademi University
Åbo Akademi University is a Swedish language university in Turku, Finland . , there are 7 941 students and a staff consisting of 1125 people. The university has activities not only in Turku, but also in Vaasa, Jakobstad, Helsinki and on Åland...
in Turku
Turku
Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
. For 2002–2007 he is an Academy Professor at the Academy of Finland
Academy of Finland
The Academy of Finland is a governmental funding body for scientific research in Finland. It is based in the Finnish capital, Helsinki. Yearly, the Academy administers over 260 million euros to Finnish research activities. Over 5,000 researchers are working on the projects supported by the academy...
. He is Director of CREST (Center for Reliable Software Technology) at Åbo Akademi.
His wife, Barbro Back, is Professor of Information Systems, also at Åbo Akademi University
Åbo Akademi University
Åbo Akademi University is a Swedish language university in Turku, Finland . , there are 7 941 students and a staff consisting of 1125 people. The university has activities not only in Turku, but also in Vaasa, Jakobstad, Helsinki and on Åland...
, and he has three children.