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Algebraic Specifications in Software Engineering

An Introduction

  • Textbook
  • © 1989

Overview

Authors:
  1. Ivo Horebeek

    1. Department of Computer Science, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven/Heverlee, Belgium

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  2. Johan Lewi

    1. Department of Computer Science, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven/Heverlee, Belgium

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    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-XIV
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  2. Introduction

    • Ivo Van Horebeek, Johan Lewi
    Pages 1-13

  3. Abstract Data Types as Initial Algebras

    • Ivo Van Horebeek, Johan Lewi
    Pages 14-65

  4. An Algebraic Specification Language

    • Ivo Van Horebeek, Johan Lewi
    Pages 66-119

  5. Constructive Specifications

    • Ivo Van Horebeek, Johan Lewi
    Pages 120-163

  6. A Case Study: the Ferry Problem

    • Ivo Van Horebeek, Johan Lewi
    Pages 164-175

  7. A Case Study: the Mini-PABX

    • Ivo Van Horebeek, Johan Lewi
    Pages 176-214

  8. Error Handling

    • Ivo Van Horebeek, Johan Lewi
    Pages 215-245

  9. Abstract Implementations

    • Ivo Van Horebeek, Johan Lewi
    Pages 246-308

  10. Conclusions

    • Ivo Van Horebeek, Johan Lewi
    Pages 309-317

  11. Back Matter

    Pages 318-350
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Keywords

About this book

"I prefer to view formal methods as tools. the use of which might be helpful." E. W. Dijkstra Algebraic specifications are about to be accepted by industry. Many projects in which algebraic specifications have been used as a design tool have been carried out. What prevents algebraic specifications from breaking through is the absence of introductory descriptions and tools supporting the construction of algebraic specifications. On the one hand. interest from industry will stimulate people to make introductions and tools. whereas on the other hand the existence of introductions and tools will stimulate industry to use algebraic specifications. This book should be seen as a contribution towards creating this virtuous circle. The book will be of interest to software designers and programmers. It can also be used as material for an introductory course on algebraic specifications and software engineering at undergraduate or graduate level. Nowadays. there is general agreement that in large software projects appropriate specifications are a must in order to obtain quality software. Informal specifications alone are certainly not appropriate because they are incomplete. inconsistent. inaccurate and ambiguous and they rapidly become bulky and therefore useless. The only way to overcome this problem is to use formal specifications. An important remark here is that a specification formalism (language) alone is not sufficient. What is also needed is a design method to write specifications in that formalism.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Computer Science, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven/Heverlee, Belgium

    Ivo Horebeek, Johan Lewi

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