Language Features for Object-Oriented Conceptual Modelling

In this paper, an approach to formally specify a conceptual model of a system and its environment to be developed in a behavior-oriented way is presented. We identify those concepts of object-oriented approaches that have to be formalized. We then propose characteristics of behavior-oriented mathematical models representing a system as a collection of interacting objects. To specify such models, we present the language T ROLL which is a formal object-oriented language for conceptual modeling. T ROLL avoids separate description of static and dynamic aspects of the system to be developed. Features of the language are explained using an example of a library information system.