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Model checking is a powerful approach for the formal verification of software. It automatically provides complete proofs of correctness, or explains, via counter-examples, why a system is not correct. Here, the author provides a well written and basic introduction to the new technique. The first part describes in simple terms the theoretical basis of model checking: transition systems as a formal model of systems, temporal logic as a formal language for behavioral properties, and model-checking algorithms. The second part explains how to write rich and structured temporal logic specifications in practice, while the third part surveys some of the major model checkers available.