Existential live sequence charts revisited

Scenario-based specifications are a popular means for describing intended system behaviour. We aim to facilitate early analysis of system behaviour and the development of behaviour models in conjunction with scenarios. In this paper we define a novel scenario-based specification language with an existential semantics and that supports conditional specification of behaviour in the form of prechart and main chart. The language semantics is consistent with existing informal scenario-based and use-case based approaches to requirements engineering. The language provides a good fit with universal live sequence charts as standard existential live sequence charts do not adequately support conditional scenarios. In addition, we define a novel synthesis algorithm that, rather than building arbitrarily one of the many behaviour models that satisfy a scenario, constructs a modal transition system (MTS) which characterizes all behaviour models that conform to the scenario.

[1]  Jean-Marc Jézéquel,et al.  Revisiting statechart synthesis with an algebraic approach , 2004, Proceedings. 26th International Conference on Software Engineering.

[2]  Anca Muscholl,et al.  Message Sequence Charts , 2003, Lectures on Concurrency and Petri Nets.

[3]  Marsha Chechik,et al.  Merging partial behavioural models , 2004, SIGSOFT '04/FSE-12.

[4]  Pierre-Yves Schobbens,et al.  From live sequence charts to state machines and back: a guided tour , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering.

[5]  David Harel,et al.  Synthesizing State-Based Object Systems from LSC Specifications , 2000, Int. J. Found. Comput. Sci..

[6]  Kim G. Larsen,et al.  A modal process logic , 1988, [1988] Proceedings. Third Annual Information Symposium on Logic in Computer Science.

[7]  Marsha Chechik,et al.  Behaviour Model Synthesis from Properties and Scenarios , 2007, 29th International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE'07).

[8]  Sebastián Uchitel,et al.  Incremental elaboration of scenario-based specifications and behavior models using implied scenarios , 2004, TSEM.

[9]  Ingolf Krüger,et al.  Distributed system design with message sequence charts , 2000 .

[10]  David Harel,et al.  LSCs: Breathing Life into Message Sequence Charts , 1999, Formal Methods Syst. Des..

[11]  David Harel,et al.  Come, let's play - scenario-based programming using LSCs and the play-engine , 2003 .

[12]  Hillel Kugler,et al.  Testing Scenario-Based Models , 2007, FASE.

[13]  Morris Sloman,et al.  CONIC: an integrated approach to distributed computer control systems , 1983 .

[14]  Pierre-Yves Schobbens,et al.  Synthesis of open reactive systems from scenario-based specifications , 2003, Third International Conference on Application of Concurrency to System Design, 2003. Proceedings..

[15]  Neil A. M. Maiden,et al.  Rich-media scenarios for discovering requirements , 2005, IEEE Software.

[16]  A classical mind: essays in honour of C. A. R. Hoare , 1994 .

[17]  Rance Cleaveland,et al.  Triggered message sequence charts , 2002, SIGSOFT '02/FSE-10.