Specifying communication in distributed information systems

Abstract.

We present two logics that allow specifying distributed information systems, emphasizing communication among sites. The low-level logic $\mbox{\sf D}_0$ offers features that are easy to implement but awkward to use for specification, while the high-level logic $\mbox{\sf D}_1$ offers convenient specification features that are not easy to implement. We show that $\mbox{\sf D}_1$ specifications may be automatically translated to $\mbox{\sf D}_0$ in a sound and complete way. In order to prove soundness and completeness, we define our translation as a simple map of institutions. Our result may be useful for making implementation platforms like Corba easier accessible by providing high-level planning and specification methods for communication.