The concept of time in software engineering for real time systems

Real time systems are defined to investigate how time is involved in their general requirements. The authors review the concept of time from a general perspective and the role of time within computer science is discussed. The means to express and enforce timing constraints are found to be lacking. A different approach is taken in developing a concept of time that is adequate for the specification and design of real time systems. The implications for specification of real time systems are outlined and a method is presented that demonstrates how time can be used for synchronisation purposes