A method for refining and testing generalised machine specifications

Abstract

Ipate and Holcombe [6] present such an integrated approach by using a type of generalized machine, namely the stream X-machine, both as a specification tool and as a basis of a testing method. However, if this type of specification method is to become usable in a wide range of software applications and acceptable to a wide community of software engineers then there needs to be ways of refining existing specifications into more complex and more detailed versions. Also, for each such process of refinement, there needs to be methods of deriving the test set for the resulting machine from that of the initial machine. This paper present such a refinement and also provides a method for testing machines constructed through such a process of refinement.

Keywords:

• Testing
• test set
• formal specification
• finite state machines
• X-machines
• refinement

C.R. Categories:

• B.1.2

^∗Present address: Regent Court, 21 1, Portobello Street Sheffield S1 4DP, UK.

^∗Present address: Regent Court, 21 1, Portobello Street Sheffield S1 4DP, UK.

Notes

^∗Present address: Regent Court, 21 1, Portobello Street Sheffield S1 4DP, UK.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Florentin Ipate

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