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EPSRC Reference: GR/L68445/01
Title: THE INTEGRATION OF TWO INDUSTRIALLY RELEVANT FORMAL METHODS (VDM+B)
Principal Investigator: Bicarregui, Dr J
Other Investigators:
Ritchie, Dr B
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
B - Core (Uk) Ltd Dassault Group GEC
Ifad A/S
Department: Computational Science & Engineering
Organisation: STFC Laboratories (Grouped)
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 14 September 1998 Ends: 13 March 2002 Value (£): 110,362
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Fundamentals of Computing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Information Technologies
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
VDM are among the few formal methods currently in use by industry and supported by commercial tools. Both are model-oriented methods for the development of sequential systems based on first-order-predicate-calculus and set-theory. However, VDM encourages a more implicit style of specification aimed at high-level design and data-refinement, whereas B is more focused on low-level design, algorithm-refinement and code-generation. This difference of focus has lead to different functionality in tool support for the methods. Currently a religious war hinders the uptake of both methods and the establishment of either as the definitive industrial-strength formal method in its domain. Recently approved, the ESPRIT project SPECTRUM brings together commercial suppliers of VDM and B toolkits and industrial users of the two methods to assess the commercial viability of producing integrated support for the two methodologies. The integrated method will be of major significance to users of formal methods but, within that project, there is no provision for investigating the formal basis of the combination. The proposed project will develop the formal underpinnings for the combined method by identifying a core language common to both, developing an axiomatic semantics for it and deriving a set practical proof rules from this.
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