1.2.2. The Original Motivation

With institution theory, Goguen and Burstall addressed an important issue in computing science, and especially in formal–specification theory. There was an explosion of formal logical systems used, and there was a need for a uniform treatment of specification concepts and results across the increasing number of logic-based formal methods. There was also a strong feeling that much of the logic-based specification theory may actually be developed independently of an underlying concrete logical system. Over decades, this area undertook a massive development, and now, it is still vibrant and dynamic. It has fulfilled its original mission, even beyond expectations, as follows:

