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SPECIFICATION CASE STUDIES

Ian Hayes

Abstract

The first paper is an elementary introduction to the basic ideas of using mathematics to specify computing systems. It consists of three specifications: a simple symbol table, a file update, and a sort.

 The second paper is a tutorial example which introduces the schema language for presenting specifications. The example is a symbol table for use in processing a block structured language such as Algol 60.

 The third paper is a specification of a sequential file system. It does not contain any extra tutorial explanation of the system being specified; it is an example of the style of specification as would be written in practice.

 The fourth paper comes from an industrial case study. It is interesting in that this quite small specification contains the essential parts of a real system. It illustrates some points about specifying real systems that are not covered in the more textbook examples above.

 The final paper outlines the basics of a diary system. It provides a quite abstract basis of a diary system which could be developed into a more realistic system.

Institution
OUCL
Month
July
Number
PRG46
Pages
71
Year
1985