From Informal to Formal Specifications in UML

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper, we consider a way of bridging informal and formal specification. Most projects have a need for an informal description of the requirements of the system which all people involved can understand. At the same time, there is a need to make some of the requirements more formal. We present a way to relate informal requirements, in form of use cases, to more formal specifications, written in the Object Constraint Language (OCL). Our approach gives the customers of software systems a way of guiding the development of formal specifications. Conversely, the formal specification can improve the informal understanding of the system by exposing gaps and ambiguities in the informal specification.

Assessing the influence of import-coupling on OCL expression maintainability: A cognitive theory-based perspective

“…As Cabot et al argue in [14], ''the modeling community is continuously pushing forward the OCL", and ''OCL is used in quite different application domains (domain-specific language and web semantics) as well as for various purposes (model verification and validation, code-generation, test-driven development, and transformations)". The availability of quality indicators of OCL expressions benefit those purposes and help to evaluate possible changes in maintainability [20,36]. There is great room for future work, in several directions.…”

Model to specify real time system using Z and alloy languages: A comparative approach

“…Mohammad Reza Nami and Hassami [18] describe properties and types of formal specification languages (Z language, VDM, RSL and CSP) in software engineering. Giese and Heldal [19] build a semiformal model of ATM system with the help of UML and OCL. Daniel Jackson [20] proposes an example of an object model is given in full in three languages: Alloy, Z language, and UML.…”

USE CASE BASED REQUIREMENTS VERIFICATION - Verifying the Consistency between Use Cases and Assertions

“…A work with a similar goal is presented in (Giese and Heldal, 2004). Giese and Heldal propose an approach aiming at bridging the gap between informal and formal requirements.…”