Mathematical aspects of box structures

Abstract

The box structures of black box, state machine, and clear box, which are fundamental objects for analysis and design of information systems in the box structure methodology, are considered. Mathematical properties of each of the box structures are presented. Derivation and expansion tasks provide a means of converting a system from one box structure representation to another. An actual case study involving the US Navy power system demonstrates the use of derivation and expansion in the analysis of a supply reorder policy.<>