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From: allen@gitpyr.UUCP (P. Allen Jensen)
Newsgroups: net.ai,net.lang.prolog
Subject: Program Specification Languages
Message-ID: <644@gitpyr.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 11-Aug-85 13:34:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: gitpyr.644
Posted: Sun Aug 11 13:34:32 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 12-Aug-85 23:57:59 EDT
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology
Lines: 28
Keywords: PSL,PSA,specification,PROLOG
Xref: linus net.ai:2713 net.lang.prolog:513

I am doing some research on Program Specification Languages. I am aware of only
two system currently available:

o - Program Statement Language/Program Statement Analyzer (PSL/PSA)
    University of Michigan

o - Software Development System (SDS, SREM)
    Ballistic Missile Defense and TRW, Inc.

PSL uses Objects  and Relationships to  describe a system.  The language allows
22 possible objects and 36 relationships.  These descriptions are then analyzed
by  PSA for  redundancies or  logical  inconsistencies.  PSA,  however, is  not
rigorous  and therefore cannot provide a mathematically correct verification of
the logical consistency of the specifications.

I am  not  familiar with  SDS,  but understand  that it is more  extensive than
PSL/PSA.

Any  further information  on currently  available products  or research in this
area would be  appreciated.  I am considering  developing a  prototype language
for specifications in Prolog.  All comments and suggestions are welcome.

                                              Allen Jensen
-- 
P. Allen Jensen
Department of Civil Engineering
Georgia Insitute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
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