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Calculating upward and downward simulations of state-based specifications

Derrick, John, Boiten, Eerke Albert (1999) Calculating upward and downward simulations of state-based specifications. Information and Software Technology, 41 (13). pp. 917-923. ISSN 0950-5849. (doi:10.1016/S0950-5849(99)00044-0) (KAR id:17282)

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Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0950-5849(99)00044-0

Abstract

This paper concerns calculational methods of refinement in state-based specification languages. Data refinement is a well-established technique for transforming specifications of abstract data types into ones, which are closer to an eventual implementation. The conditions under which a transformation is a correct refinement are encapsulated into two simulation rules: downward and upward simulations. One approach for refining an abstract system is to specify the concrete data type, and then attempt to verify that it is a valid refinement of the abstract type. An alternative approach is to calculate the concrete specification based upon the abstract specification and a retrieve relation, which links the abstract and concrete states. In this paper we generalise existing calculational methods for downward simulations and derive similar results for upward simulations; we also document their use and application in a particular specification language, namely Z.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/S0950-5849(99)00044-0
Uncontrolled keywords: refinement; state-based systems; Z; calculating refinements
Subjects: Q Science
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Computing
Depositing User: Eerke Boiten
Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2009 19:25 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:55 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/17282 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)
Boiten, Eerke Albert: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9184-8968
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