Model to specify real time system using Z and alloy languages: A comparative approach

• Published in: International Conference on Software Engineering and Mobile Application Modelling and Development (ICSEMA 2012) p. 16
• Main Authors: Dwivedi, A.K, Rath, S.K
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Stevenage, UK IET 2012
• Subjects: Financial computing; Formal methods; automatic teller machines; Alloy language; automated teller machine; Z/EVES tool; Z language; formal specification; software requirements; formal specification languages; automatic real time system analysis; real-time systems; specification languages; real time system specification; ATM; Alloy Analyzer; software tools
• ISBN: 9781849197366; 1849197369
• DOI: 10.1049/ic.2012.0149

Choice of a particular specification language depends on the type of product. Z and Alloy both are formal specification languages used for specifying the software requirements in a succinct manner. Alloy language is designed specifically for automatic analysis of any real time system. This paper proposes comparison between the effectiveness of Z and Alloy languages. An Automated Teller Machine (ATM) example has been considered as a case study for real time analysis and is used to demonstrate the comparative differences between the functionalities of Z and Alloy languages. To make the explanation more precise, we present formal specification of some states (wait or busy) and operations (withdrawal or balance enquiry) of ATM system using Z and Alloy languages. By using Z/EVES tool, the syntax of Z language is verified and instances of these states and operations are generated by using a tool Alloy Analyzer. (6 pages)