This volume presents the cutting-edge research from the 17th International Conference on Foundations of Software Technology and Theoretical Computer Science (FSTTCS'97). The proceedings feature 18 peer-reviewed full papers selected from 68 submissions, alongside five invited contributions from leading figures in the field. The papers explore a diverse range of topics critical to the advancement of computing theory and practice. These include intricate areas such as concurrency, Petri nets, graph computations, program verification, model checking, recursion theory, rewriting systems, and the development of error-correcting codes.

This collection represents a snapshot of the state-of-the-art in theoretical computer science and software technology as presented at FSTTCS'97. The inclusion of invited papers by distinguished researchers suggests a high level of academic rigor and relevance. The selection of papers from a competitive submission pool indicates a focus on significant advancements within the field. The topics covered point to a work intended for researchers and advanced students in computer science, offering insights into complex theoretical problems and their potential applications.