Title :
Validating software specifications against user claims
Author :
Chiang, Chia-Chu ; Urban, Joseph E.
Author_Institution :
Software Dev., Viasoft Inc., Phoenix, AZ, USA
Abstract :
Testing provides a way of detecting specification errors. However, testing only shows the presence of errors, but never shows the absence of errors. Proofs complement the limitations of testing. Unfortunately, proofs have been considered impractical for showing the correctness. Nevertheless, proofs are highly recommended for critical parts that may risk human life, company finance, or system success. A formal specification language is introduced to facilitate proofs of correctness. With theorem proving, a specification is validated against the user claims which may only be concerned about the critical parts of the specification
Keywords :
Horn clauses; formal specification; program verification; specification languages; theorem proving; critical parts; formal specification language; proofs; proofs of correctness; software specification validation; specification errors; testing; theorem proving; user claims; Computer science; Error correction; Finance; Formal specifications; Humans; Pattern analysis; Programming; Software testing; Specification languages; USA Councils;
Conference_Titel :
Computer Software and Applications Conference, 1999. COMPSAC '99. Proceedings. The Twenty-Third Annual International
Conference_Location :
Phoenix, AZ
Print_ISBN :
0-7695-0368-3
DOI :
10.1109/CMPSAC.1999.812686