A graphical environment for formally developing object-oriented software

Abstract

This paper describes a graphics-based software development environment that takes advantage of the visual nature of the Object Modeling Technique (OMT) notation and the benefits of formal methods. We have developed a prototype environment, VISUALSPECS, which enables a user to perform object-oriented analysis graphically using the OMT notation. VISUALSPECS generates a formal specification of the object-model, which can be systematically analyzed for completeness and consistency prior to implementation. The formal specifications can be used to guide the formal software. This graphical environment facilitates the development of reliable software using formal methods, enables automated of requirements and design information, and promotes software design reuse based on graphical notations.<>