An Approach to an RM-ODP Toolkit in Z

D. Randolph Johnson

R213, National Security Agency
9800 Savage Road STE 6529
Fort Meade MD 20755-6529 USA
Tel: (301) 688-0748
Fax: (301) 688-0255
Email: drj@tycho.ncsc.mil

Haim Kilov

Merrill Lynch, Technology Strategy and Planning
World Financial Center, South Tower
New York, New York 10080-6105 USA
Tel: (212) 236-5816
Fax: (212) 236-9600
Email: haim_kilov@ml.com

Abstract:

We discuss the usage of the (non-OO) Z specification language to represent some fundamental concepts of the ISO Reference Model for Open Distributed Processing (RM-ODP) and the ISO General Relationship Model (GRM). After discussing some of the difficulties involved, we offer suggestions on how Z can be used successfully for specifying and modeling open object-based distributed systems. Although fundamental specification concepts of RM-ODP and GRM are less well-known than ``traditional'' mathematics, we propose an RM-ODP toolkit somewhat analogous in its usage to the well-known mathematical toolkit in Z.

Keywords: Reference Model for Open Distributed Processing (RM-ODP), General Relationship Model (GRM), Z, fundamental concepts, relationships, multiple typing, toolkit

Workshop Goals: Learning; networking; discuss how to use model oriented formal specification languages, such as Z, in component-based software engineering; discuss how to make such languages more suitable for this purpose.