An Extension of Logical Formalisms to Simulate System Behaviours

Alain Cougoulic

France Télécom
Branche Développement
Centre National d'Études des Télécommunications/DES/ERA
28, Chemin du Vieux Chêne
F-38243 MEYLAN CEDEX, FRANCE
Tel: 33 4 76 76 44 08
Fax: 33 4 76 76 43 39
Email: Alain.Cougoulic@cnet.francetelecom.fr

Abstract:

Using formal methods to specify systems becomes more and more a necessity to get round the increasing system complexity. In this paper, we discuss the use of formal methods to specify system behaviours. Behaviours represent the dynamic part of a system. System behaviours are often specified with logical formalisms.

Our interest in component-based software engineering is focused on the validation of system specifications by simulation. The simulation of system dynamics as described by behaviours consists in determinating and executing the animate part of the system behaviour specifications. We show how the addition of explicit determinism in the behaviour specifications (in logical formalism) allows one to increase the animated part of the system behaviour specifications.

Keywords: System specifications, behaviours, simulation, logical formalisms, determinism

Workshop Goals: Discussion about system behaviour specifications; advance of refinement of specifications; interest of simulation in component-based software engineering