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Axiomatic specification of large information systems: Experiences and consequences

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Recent Trends in Data Type Specification (ADT 1994, COMPASS 1994)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 906))

Abstract

This paper reports on a case study where formal (axiomatic) techniques were applied to the functional specification of a large medical information system. In order to cope with the size of the specification and with the process of requirements engineering, a combination of semi-formal (mainly diagrammatic) and purely formal notations were used. For the semi-formal notations, a translation into axiomatic specifications was defined such that the whole specification is still on the formal level. In this paper, a short overview of the case study is given together with a critical evaluation. Two problematic issues are pointed out regarding the results of the case study, and proposals for a further improvement are made. The systematic usage of a hybrid approach mixing semi-formal and formal notation is strongly recommended for the precise specification of large application systems.

The work reported here was carried out when the author was at the Institut für Informatik, Technische Universität München. It was sponsored by the German Ministry of Research and Technology (BMFT) as part of the compound project KORSO.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Siemens AG, Public Communication Networks Group, Hofmannstr. 51, 81359, München, Germany

    Heinrich Hussmann

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  1. Heinrich Hussmann
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Egidio Astesiano Gianna Reggio Andrzej Tarlecki

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© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Hussmann, H. (1995). Axiomatic specification of large information systems: Experiences and consequences. In: Astesiano, E., Reggio, G., Tarlecki, A. (eds) Recent Trends in Data Type Specification. ADT COMPASS 1994 1994. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 906. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0014437

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0014437

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-59132-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-49198-9

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