Specifying joint behavior of objects: formalization standardization

Abstract

To understand a large and complicated system, its specifier and user should be able to separate essential concerns from irrelevant details. To do that, specification of behavioral semantics-as opposed to just signatures (i.e., syntax)-is essential. Abstract and precise specifications are the corner stones of object modeling. However, object modeling has usually considered only behavior of isolated objects. Real-world enterprises do not consist only of isolated objects. It is the joint behavior of associated objects that defines the object model of the enterprise and therefore makes the business understandable. The paper show how semantics of an information model (the result of analyzing the system) can be specified in an abstract and precise manner, by reusing programming methodology concepts, and how this approach to specification is used in standardization activities.<>