A brief account of runtime verification.

In this paper, a brief account of the field of runtime verification is given. Starting with a definition of runtime verification, a comparison to well-known verification techniques like model checking and testing is provided, and applications in which runtime verification brings out its distinguishing features are pointed out. Moreover, extensions of runtime verification such as monitor-oriented programming, and monitor-based runtime reflection are sketched and their similarities and differences are discussed. Finally, the use of runtime verification for contract enforcement is briefly pointed out. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved