Practical methods and tools for specification

Abstract

This is a course on specification. Since it is based on experiences in the field of software engineering. It applies primarily to software specifications. Many observations and reports indicate, however, that, from specification aspects, there is not much difference between information processing systems in general and software in particular. Therefore, most of this course applies also to system specification. In the first chapter, some fundamentals are discussed. These include the life cycle model and the distribution of costs over the various activities, some definitions, and a rationale for semi-formal specification. The second chapter provides a general outline of a specification system, whose desirable properties are deduced from the qualities of good specifications. In the third chapter, we present some typical specification systems. The primary goal is to show some typical features of such systems rather than to describe them in detail. The fourth chapter addresses management aspects. In chapter 5, some general conclusions are drawn. The appendix (chapter 6) contains a bibliography on specification, and a list of suppliers.