Using formal approach to specify distributed multimedia systems

A formal approach can benefit multimedia in a number of ways. For example, formal system development can aid the development of correct systems. Formal specification and verification techniques have been extensively investigated, but these techniques have generally not addressed the requirement of distributed multimedia computing. The central issue in multimedia is dealing with real-time. In particular, there is a need for software development techniques that support the specification and verification of real-time properties. In this paper, we propose a new approach to the formal specification and verification of distributed multimedia computing. This new approach is based on the extension of LOTOS to incorporate timing in it. Thus, succinct expressions of communicating concurrent processes can be made. Similarly, the emphasis on non-determinism in process algebraic techniques facilitates abstract specification, hiding implementation details. Furthermore, rich and tractable mathematical models of the semantics of process algebra have been developed. The key characteristic of the new approach lies in the specification of behavior, requirements and different types of time in a specification