VCt - a formal language for the specification of diagrammatic modelling techniques

Abstract In this paper we propose a language to produce formal high-level specifications of modelling techniques based on diagrammatic notations such as Dataflow Diagrams, State Transition Diagrams or the Entity-Relationship technique. The language, called VCt, is based on set theory and a form of predicate logic. It is aimed at expressing the semantics of modelling techniques. Being a formal language, the specifications produced from it are unambiguous. Complete VCt specifications have been produced for a number of modelling techniques. The specifications are used as the input of a system for the automatic generation of design tools. The system includes a parser for the VCt language and a code generator. Each generated tool is dedicated to a specified modelling technique, providing both diagrammatic and semantic support.

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