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UML-B: Formal modelling and design aided by UML

UML-B: Formal modelling and design aided by UML
UML-B: Formal modelling and design aided by UML
The emergence of the UML as a de-facto standard for object-oriented modelling has been mirrored by the success of the B method as a practically useful formal modelling technique. The two notations have much to offer each other. The UML provides an accessible visualisation of models facilitating communication of ideas but lacks formal precise semantics. B, on the other hand, has the precision to support animation and rigorous verification but requires significant effort in training to overcome the mathematical barrier that many practitioners perceive. We utilise a derivation of the B notation as an action and constraint language for the UML and define the semantics of UML entities via a translation into B. Through the UML-B profile we provide specialisations of UML entities to support model refinement. The result is a formally precise variant of UML that can be used for refinement based, object-oriented behavioural modelling. The design of UML-B has been guided by industrial applications.
Modelling, refinement, UML-B, UML profile
1049-331X
92-122
Snook, Colin
b2055316-9f7a-4b31-8aa1-be0710046af2
Butler, Michael
54b9c2c7-2574-438e-9a36-6842a3d53ed0
Snook, Colin
b2055316-9f7a-4b31-8aa1-be0710046af2
Butler, Michael
54b9c2c7-2574-438e-9a36-6842a3d53ed0

Snook, Colin and Butler, Michael (2006) UML-B: Formal modelling and design aided by UML. ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology, 15 (1), 92-122.

Record type: Article

Abstract

The emergence of the UML as a de-facto standard for object-oriented modelling has been mirrored by the success of the B method as a practically useful formal modelling technique. The two notations have much to offer each other. The UML provides an accessible visualisation of models facilitating communication of ideas but lacks formal precise semantics. B, on the other hand, has the precision to support animation and rigorous verification but requires significant effort in training to overcome the mathematical barrier that many practitioners perceive. We utilise a derivation of the B notation as an action and constraint language for the UML and define the semantics of UML entities via a translation into B. Through the UML-B profile we provide specialisations of UML entities to support model refinement. The result is a formally precise variant of UML that can be used for refinement based, object-oriented behavioural modelling. The design of UML-B has been guided by industrial applications.

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More information

Published date: January 2006
Keywords: Modelling, refinement, UML-B, UML profile
Organisations: Electronic & Software Systems

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 260169
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/260169
ISSN: 1049-331X
PURE UUID: 84fd0fa4-4e90-4f28-a18b-9cdd14728b55
ORCID for Colin Snook: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-0210-0983
ORCID for Michael Butler: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-4642-5373

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 02 Dec 2004
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:12

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Contributors

Author: Colin Snook ORCID iD
Author: Michael Butler ORCID iD

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