Express - rapid prototyping and product development via integrated knowledge-based executable specifications

A knowledge based software development environment under development at Lockheed's Software Technology Center (STC) in Austin, Texas. The environment, called Express, consists of several very high level executable specification languages, their corresponding translation systems, and a knowledge based framework to integrate and manage the specifications both at specification time and execution time. Express generates code automatically via a series of correctness-preserving transformations on the specifications. The ultimate effect is a dramatic increase in software development productivity and maintainability. This paper provides an overview of the environment and highlights the development of the Graphical Specification Subsystem which is the component of the environment for prototyping the interface between the target user and the embedded system interface.