A Bibliometric Analysis of the Abstract State Machine Research Production and Community over the Years

Abstract State Machines (ASMs) constitute a well-established formal method for system specification and modeling, with applications spanning software engineering, hardware design, and semantics. Despite their long-standing theoretical foundations and practical use, a systematic assessment of the current status and impact of ASMs within the scientific community remains limited. This paper presents a bibliometric study aimed at evaluating the evolution, visibility, and influence of the ASM formalism over time. Using data extracted from major scientific publication databases, we analyze publication trends, citation patterns, core venues, and collaboration networks related to ASM research. Quantitative indicators such as citation counts, h-index values, and co-authorship structures are employed to identify key contributions, influential authors, and emerging research directions. The results provide an evidence-based perspective on the maturity and dissemination of ASMs, highlighting periods of growth, stabilization, and thematic shifts. By demonstrating how bibliometric information can be used to assess the status of a formal method, this study contributes both to the understanding of ASMs and to the broader methodological discussion on evaluating research impact in formal methods.