Logic plays a fundamental role in computer science analogous to that played by calculus in physics and traditional engineering. In software engineering, systems with the ability to perform logical deduction are being applied to the synthesis, verification and transformation of computer programs. In artificial intelligence, such systems are applied to the understanding of natural language and the formation of commonsense and robotic plans. Expert systems, deductive databases, and logic-programming systems may be regarded as rudimentary applications of this new deductive technology.

This book provides a carefully paced introduction to the logical underpinnings of these applications. Exceptionally clear and laced with examples, this book requires no prior knowledge of logic or programming. It interleaves a basic treatment of logic with a discussion of its application in automated deduction. This work provides most readable introduction to the logical concepts and techniques underlying computer programming.