The RPC-memory specification problem was proposed by Broy and Lamport as a case study in the formal design of distributed and concurrent systems. As a realistic example typical for operating systems and hardware design, the RPC-memory problem was used as the basis for comparing various approaches to formal specification, refinement, and verification.
Preliminary solutions were discussed during a workshop at Schloss Dagstuhl, Germany, in September 1994. Then an extensive discussion took place between the referees and authors. Finally 15 thoroughly revised papers were accepted for inclusion in this volume in full detail together with the problem statement and a synopsis.