Managing inconsistencies in an evolving specification

In an evolving specification, considerable effort is spent handling recurrent inconsistencies. Detecting and resolving inconsistencies is only part of the problem: a resolved inconsistency might not stay resolved. Frameworks in which inconsistency is tolerated help by allowing resolution to be delayed. However, evolution of a specification may affect both resolved and unresolved inconsistencies. We address these problems by explicitly recording relationships between partial specifications (ViewPoints), representing both resolved and unresolved inconsistencies. We assume that ViewPoints will often be inconsistent with one another, and we ensure that a complete work record is kept, detailing any inconsistencies that have been detected, and what actions, if any, have been taken to resolve them. The work record is then used to reason about the effects of subsequent changes to ViewPoints, without constraining the development process.