Compilation of Z specifications into C for automatic test result evaluation

Abstract

If Z specifications are used as requirements specifications then test result evaluation leads to evaluation of schema predicates in states that are reached by the test. For automation of this approach Z operational schemas must be translated into programs that perform schema predicate evaluation. Predicate evaluation is straightforward; expressions are replaced by their values, logical connectives are evaluated using truth-tables, quantifiers and set constructions are evaluated ∭ing iteration. In order to exclude infinite iterations while evaluating quantifiers the schema compiler accepts besides finite quantifications only those which can be transformed into finite ones using term-rewriting techniques. These ideas are implemented in a Z predicate compiler.