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Harmony Tool: Integrating Semi-formal and Formal Notations

Explore the Harmony project's approach to combine UML and Z++ for time-constrained systems. Learn integration strategies, related work, and the Harmony Tool features. Discover the benefits of this notations fusion and its future implications.

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Harmony Tool: Integrating Semi-formal and Formal Notations

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  1. Harmony: An Approach and Tool for Combining Semi-formal and Formal Notations in Software Specification CS 791z Topics on Software Engineering Instructor’s Research April 19, 2004

  2. Outline • Context • A Procedural Frame • The Harmony Tool • Conclusions

  3. Context: The Harmony Project • Proposal of an approach for specifying time- constrained systems (TCS) based on the combined use of UML (graphical, semi-formal notation) and Z++ (formal notation) • Topic placed at the confluence of three paradigms: • object-orientation • formal specification • visual representation

  4. Context: Why Integrate? • Combine benefits • Graphical notations easy to use • Formal methods precise • Different aspects of the system need different ways of description • Provide choices

  5. Context: Research Space and Location

  6. Strategies for Integration • Integration of notations: • Semi-formal/Formal • Semi-formal/Semi-formal • Formal/Formal • Types of semi-formal/formal integrations: • Derivation or (simple) formalization • Complementary formalization • Tight integration, involving two-way translations

  7. Related Work • Similar approaches: • Jia’s AML • Noe and Hartrum’s extension of Rational Rose • France et al.’s blending of Octopus and Z • Headway System’s RoZeLink • Kim and Carrington’s UML/Object-Z combination • Our approach is distinct from all the above in at least one major aspect: variant of Z involved, provisions for dealing with RTS, tight integration of notations, or type of supporting environment

  8. Notations: UML • “Graphical language for visualizing, specifying, constructing, and documenting the artifacts of software-intensive systems” [G. Booch] • OMG standard notation for object modeling • Includes structural & behavioral model elements • Extension mechanisms: stereotypes, tagged values, constraints • Support for RTS: events, signals, active classes, finite-state machines, timing marks and expressions • However, for rigorous development supplementary formalization is necessary

  9. Notations: UML - Example of Class Diagram

  10. Notations: UML - Example of State Diagram

  11. Notations: Z++ • Created by Lano and Haughton • Essentially, extends Z with the class construct • Closer to implementation than other formal languages • Support for dealing with time in the HISTORY clause: Temporal Logic or Real-Time Logic (RTL) formulae

  12. Notations: Z++ Class ZPP_Class::= CLASS Identifier [TypeParams] [EXTENDS Ancestors] [TYPES TypeDefs] [FUNCTIONS AxiomaticDefs] [OWNS Locals] [RETURNS OpTypes] [OPERATIONS OpTypes] [INVARIANT Predicate] [ACTIONS Actions] [HISTORY History] END CLASS

  13. Translations UML/Z++: Overview • Formalization = UML to Z++ translation • Deformalization = Z++ to UML translation • Algorithms for automated translations have been proposed • Formalization of both structure and behavior • Rules and principles for translating class diagrams (algorithm AFCD) • Rules and principles for translating state diagrams (AFSD) • Principles for reverse translation (ADF)

  14. A Procedural Frame • Series of activities in which model artifacts are produced • Subset of UML used (“2+1 views”) • Artifacts: • UML elements: use case diagrams, scenarios, sequence diagrams, class diagrams, and class compounds • Z++ specifications: Z++ classes and statements • Activities organized in stages • ‘Regular’ and ‘irregular’ sequences of activities

  15. A Procedural Frame

  16. Regular Flow of Activities

  17. Irregular Flow of Activities

  18. The Harmony Tool: Characteristics • Sustains the development of combined UML/Z++ models • Operates on specification projects • Monolithic construction • Options for automated translations • Support for class compounds • Tandem mode of operation • Provisions for interfacing with external tools

  19. Harmony: The Browser

  20. Harmony: Project Pane

  21. Harmony: New Element Selector & Legend Pane

  22. Harmony: Toolboxes

  23. Harmony: Project Loaded

  24. Harmony: UML Space (Class Diagram)

  25. Harmony: Z++ Space (Class Spec)

  26. Harmony: Z++ Space (Timing Constraints)

  27. Conclusions: Summary • Pragmatic semi-formal/formal combination of notations • Formalization of UML constructs in Z++ • Rigorous treatment of TCS via RTL • Detailed design of the Harmony ISE • Lightweight, rapid modeling process

  28. Conclusions: Future Work (most on Andy ) • Enhancement of algorithms • Refinement of the tool’s functionality • Implementation of Harmony • Syntax checker for Z++ • More applications

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