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Building traceable Event-B models from requirements

Building traceable Event-B models from requirements
Building traceable Event-B models from requirements
Abstract Bridging the gap between informal requirements and formal specifications is a key challenge in systems engineering. Constructing appropriate abstractions in formal models requires skill and managing the complexity of the relationships between requirements and formal models can be difficult. In this paper we present an approach that aims to address the twin challenges of finding appropriate abstractions and managing traceability between requirements and models. Our approach is based on the use of semi-formal structures to bridge the gap between requirements and Event-B models and retain traceability to requirements in Event-B models. In the stepwise refinement approach, design details are gradually introduced into formal models. Stepwise refinement allows each requirement to be introduced at the most appropriate stage in the development. Our approach makes use of the UML-B and Event Refinement Structures (ERS) approaches. UML-B provides \{UML\} graphical notation that enables the development of data structures for Event-B models, while the \{ERS\} approach provides a graphical notation to illustrate event refinement structures and assists in the organisation of refinement levels. The \{ERS\} approach also combines several constructor patterns to manage control flows in Event-B. The intent of this paper is to harness the benefits of the UML-B and \{ERS\} approaches to facilitate constructing Event-B models from requirements and provide traceability between requirements and Event-B models.
Event Refinement Structure (ERS)
1- 21
Alkhammash, Eman
ad40016e-ea48-4670-8d23-4ea6ec4e00a9
Butler, Michael
54b9c2c7-2574-438e-9a36-6842a3d53ed0
Fathabadi, Asieh Salehi
b799ee35-4032-4e7c-b4b2-34109af8aa75
Cîrstea, Corina
ce5b1cf1-5329-444f-9a76-0abcc47a54ea
Alkhammash, Eman
ad40016e-ea48-4670-8d23-4ea6ec4e00a9
Butler, Michael
54b9c2c7-2574-438e-9a36-6842a3d53ed0
Fathabadi, Asieh Salehi
b799ee35-4032-4e7c-b4b2-34109af8aa75
Cîrstea, Corina
ce5b1cf1-5329-444f-9a76-0abcc47a54ea

Alkhammash, Eman, Butler, Michael, Fathabadi, Asieh Salehi and Cîrstea, Corina (2015) Building traceable Event-B models from requirements. Science of Computer Programming, 1- 21. (doi:10.1016/j.scico.2015.06.002).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Abstract Bridging the gap between informal requirements and formal specifications is a key challenge in systems engineering. Constructing appropriate abstractions in formal models requires skill and managing the complexity of the relationships between requirements and formal models can be difficult. In this paper we present an approach that aims to address the twin challenges of finding appropriate abstractions and managing traceability between requirements and models. Our approach is based on the use of semi-formal structures to bridge the gap between requirements and Event-B models and retain traceability to requirements in Event-B models. In the stepwise refinement approach, design details are gradually introduced into formal models. Stepwise refinement allows each requirement to be introduced at the most appropriate stage in the development. Our approach makes use of the UML-B and Event Refinement Structures (ERS) approaches. UML-B provides \{UML\} graphical notation that enables the development of data structures for Event-B models, while the \{ERS\} approach provides a graphical notation to illustrate event refinement structures and assists in the organisation of refinement levels. The \{ERS\} approach also combines several constructor patterns to manage control flows in Event-B. The intent of this paper is to harness the benefits of the UML-B and \{ERS\} approaches to facilitate constructing Event-B models from requirements and provide traceability between requirements and Event-B models.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 6 June 2015
Published date: 15 June 2015
Keywords: Event Refinement Structure (ERS)
Organisations: Electronic & Software Systems

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 378497
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/378497
PURE UUID: da9b7c76-3b91-4529-bed7-872335dd1b69
ORCID for Michael Butler: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-4642-5373
ORCID for Asieh Salehi Fathabadi: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-0508-3066
ORCID for Corina Cîrstea: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-3165-5678

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 29 Jun 2015 07:56
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 05:19

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Contributors

Author: Eman Alkhammash
Author: Michael Butler ORCID iD
Author: Asieh Salehi Fathabadi ORCID iD
Author: Corina Cîrstea ORCID iD

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