Computer-aided validation of formal specifications

As the use of formal specification techniques becomes more widespread, it becomes more important than ever to ensure that the formal specification of a system is a faithful representation of the system's requirements. CASE tools can help with this problem by performing mechanical analysis of the specification. The paper describes the scope and limitations of one such tool for the specification language VDM-SL, based on two case studies, and compares the use of this tool to other validation techniques.

[1]  Paul Krause,et al.  Computer Aided Transformation of Z into Prolog , 1989, Z User Workshop.

[2]  Cliff B. Jones,et al.  Systematic software development using VDM , 1986, Prentice Hall International Series in Computer Science.

[3]  Peter Gorm Larsen,et al.  The IFAD VDM-SL toolbox: a practical approach to formal specifications , 1994, SIGP.

[4]  Michael Johnson,et al.  From Z Specifications To Functional Implementations , 1989, Z User Workshop.

[5]  David Turner Functional programs as executable specifications , 1984, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

[6]  Jeremy Dick,et al.  Automating the Generation and Sequencing of Test Cases from Model-Based Specifications , 1993, FME.

[7]  Paul Mukherjee,et al.  A Semantics for NewSpeak in VDM-SL , 1994, FME.

[8]  Cliff B. Jones,et al.  Specifications are not (necessarily) executable , 1989 .

[9]  Peter A. Lindsay,et al.  mural: A Formal Development Support System , 1991, Springer London.

[10]  John Dawes,et al.  The VDM-SL Reference Guide , 1991 .

[11]  Edsger W. Dijkstra,et al.  Structured programming , 1972, A.P.I.C. Studies in data processing.

[12]  Yves Ledru Proof-Based Development of Specifications with KIDS/VDM , 1994, FME.

[13]  J. Michael Spivey,et al.  The Z notation - a reference manual , 1992, Prentice Hall International Series in Computer Science.

[14]  Peter Gorm Larsen,et al.  An Executable Subset of Meta-IV with Loose Specification , 1991, VDM Europe.

[15]  Peter A. Lindsay,et al.  Proof in VDM: A Practitioner's Guide , 1993, Proof in VDM.

[16]  Peter Gorm Larsen,et al.  Standards for Non- Executable Specification Languages , 1992, Comput. J..

[17]  Norbert E. Fuchs Specifications are (preferably) executable , 1992, Softw. Eng. J..

[18]  Silvio Romero de Lemos Meira,et al.  From VDM specifications to functional prototypes , 1993, J. Syst. Softw..