Using Graphical Icons to Build Z Specifications

Abstract

The Z specification language is now widely taught in universities [1]. However, many novices find that, although they may understand specifications written by other people, they are unable to produce their own, satisfactorily. One of the reasons is the lack of suitable tools for these novices to learn Z systematically. Another is the mathematical nature of the syntax of the language. The same problems can be found when one considers the poor 𥀜take up𥀝 of formal methods in industry.

This paper describes a new tool called VisualiZer which can allow users to write Z specifications by creating and manipulating visual entities without worrying about the possibly, daunting, mathematical symbols. Furthermore, in order to help users’ understanding of the concepts behind Z, the tool is designed around an environment with graphical on-line help facilities to guide users through the process of building correct and complete Z specifications in a methodical way.

Affiliations

Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield

Regent Court, 211 Portobello Street, Sheffield S1 4DP, UK

Conference

Publication date: July 1997

Publication date (Print): July 1997

Pages: 1-15

ID: 10.14236/ewic/FA1997.18

Copyright statement: © Chih Nam Yap et al. Published by BCS Learning and Development Ltd. Proceedings of the 2nd BCS-FACS Northern Formal Methods Workshop, Ilkley

License:

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Conference name: Proceedings of the 2nd BCS-FACS Northern Formal Methods

Conference acronym: FM

Conference number: 2

Conference location: Ilkley

Conference date: 14-15 July 1997

Conference sponsor: Electronic Workshops in Computing (eWiC)

Conference theme: Northern Formal Methods

Product

Product Information: 1477-9358 BCS Learning & Development

Self URI (article page): https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.14236/ewic/FA1997.18

Self URI (journal page): https://ewic.bcs.org/

Categories

Series title: Electronic Workshops in Computing