Generating interesting scenarios from system descriptions

ABSTRACT

A formal system specification is often written declaratively, in terms of the properties of the system components. This makes the system description modular and concise. However, this does not make the procedural aspects of the system easily understandable. Here arises the need for automatically generating interesting behavior patterns, specifically, scenarios. This paper is a preliminary report of our research in generating interesting scenarios. We define several types of scenarios of interest and discuss the algorithms for generating them. At the center of the algorithms is a data structure, called “influence graphs,” that reflects how the objects in a system affect one another.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.2 Automatic Programming
          Subjects: Automatic analysis of algorithms

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.0 GENERAL
      Subjects: Systems specification methodology

  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
        D.2.10 Design**
            Subjects: Methodologies**

  E. Data
  E.1 DATA STRUCTURES
      Subjects: Graphs and networks

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Systems analysis and design

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Languages, Management, Theory