The application of correctness preserving transformations to software maintenance

Abstract

Abstract-The size and complexity of hardware and software systems continues t o grow, making the introduction of subtle errors a more likely possibility. A major goal of software engineering is t o enable developers t o construct systems that operate reliably despite increased size and complexity. One approach t o achieving this goal is through formal methods: mathematically based languages, techniques and tools for specifying and verifying complex software systems. In this paper, we apply a theoretical tool that is supported by many formal methods, the correctness preserving transformation (CPT), t o a real software engineering problem: the need for optimization during the maintenance of code. We present four program transformations and a model t h a t forms a framework for proof of correctness. We prove the transformations correct and then apply them t o a cryptography application implemented in CS+. Our experience shows that CPTs can facilitate generation of more efficient code while guaranteeing the preservation of original behavior.

Requirements traceability in model-driven development: Applying model and transformation conformance

“…Nevertheless, approaches based on formal methods rely on formal proofs as evidence for transformation conformance [see, e.g., "correct architectural refinement" in Moriconi et al (1995), and "correctness preserving transformations" in Bolognesi et al (1995); Gibson et al (2000)]. We believe that formal proofs may not be required in many practical cases.…”

CORBA-Based Class Scheduling Framework Using Decorator and Facade Design Patterns

“…This provides a formal specification of the components and how it could be used as a program transformation without altering the external, observable behavior of the system. Such a transformation is referred to as a correctness preserving transformation (CPT) [53].…”

Requirements Traceability and Transformation Conformance in Model-Driven Development

“…Nevertheless, approaches based on formal methods rely on formal proofs as evidence for transformation conformance (see, e.g., "correct architectural refinement" in [20], and "correctness preserving transformations" in [9,14]). We believe that formal proofs may not be required in many practical cases.…”