Formal specification of reusable interface objects

ABSTRACT

In this paper we present a formal approach of a new object-oriented design concept to support reuse-in-the-large called Abstract Data Views (ADVs). The ADV approach was created to specify clearly and formally the separation of interfaces from the application components of a software system. Such an approach should lead to high degree of reuse of designs for both interface and application components. Our specification framework is based on descriptive schemas for both ADVs and ADOs, that are the basic building blocks for the system specification, design, and implemention using the ADV approach. These schemas describe the structural, static, and dynanmic features of each system object, and include the specification of the concurrent operation of system components. Additionally, such schemas can be seen as an underlying structure to support the development of a specification language that describes the interconnection between interface and application components.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.m Miscellaneous
          Subjects: Reusable software**

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

  F. Theory of Computation
  F.3 LOGICS AND MEANINGS OF PROGRAMS

General Terms:
Languages, Theory