Jeffrey E. Smith

UML Formalization and Transformation

June 1, 1998
11:30 AM
306 Egan
Abstract

Using computer-aided, formally developed specifications to build and verify software leads to provably correct code, deeper consistency checking and specification reusability. The problem with applying this approach is its rift with mainstream commercial software engineering tools and development/specification methodologies. The primary goal of this research is to bridge this rift by mapping from a popular CASE (Computer-Aided Software Engineering) tool modeling language to a formal methods language. Formal methods involves the specification of a formal syntax and semantics to specify system behavior so that consistency, completeness and correctness of complex systems can be assessed systematically. The purpose of my research is to construct formal and CASE-based development methods by formalizing the common CASE graphical specification language, i.e. the Unified Modeling Language (UML), and automating the transformation from UML diagrams to a formal representation.

Thesis Committee:
Prof. M.M. Kokar (Advisor)
Prof. T. Cullinane
Prof. S. DeLoach