Title :
A formal operational semantics for SOFL
Author :
Ho-Stuart, Chris ; Liu, Shaoying
Author_Institution :
Sch. of Comput. Sci., Queensland Univ. of Technol., Brisbane, Qld., Australia
Abstract :
SOFL (Structured-Object-Based-Formal Language) is a formal language and method for practical systems development. As a language, it integrates data flow diagrams, VDM-SL, and Petri nets to provide a graphical and textual formal notation for specification construction. Previous publications introducing SOFL are based on its informal semantics. We provide a formal operational semantics which gives a firm foundation for consistent understanding and application of SOFL in practical systems development. Development of the semantics, and application of SOFL to practical systems, have led to some changes in the original definitions. This formal semantics will serve as a firm foundation for building an effective support environment for SOFL
Keywords :
Petri nets; data flow graphs; diagrams; formal specification; object-oriented languages; specification languages; Petri nets; SOFL; Structured-Object-Based-Formal Language; VDM-SL; data flow diagrams; dataflow graph; formal operational semantics; graphical formal notation; specification; systems development; textual formal notation; Australia; Computer industry; Construction industry; Flow graphs; Formal languages; High level languages; Information analysis; Information science; Modular construction; Petri nets;
Conference_Titel :
Software Engineering Conference, 1997. Asia Pacific ... and International Computer Science Conference 1997. APSEC '97 and ICSC '97. Proceedings
Print_ISBN :
0-8186-8271-X
DOI :
10.1109/APSEC.1997.640161
