State-based versus event-based specifications for information systems: a comparison of B and eb3.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	State-based versus event-based specifications for information systems: a comparison of B and eb³.
Authors:	Fraikin, Benoît¹ Benoit.Fraikin@usherbrooke.ca, Frappier, Marc¹ Marc.Frappier@usherbrooke.ca, Laleau, Régine² laleau@univ-paris12.fr
Source:	Software & Systems Modeling. Jul2005, Vol. 4 Issue 3, p236-257. 22p.
Subjects:	Information technology, Computer systems, Integrated library systems (Computer systems), Data protection, Systems design, Information resources
Abstract:	This paper compares two formal methods, B and eb3, for specifying information systems. These two methods are chosen as examples of the state-based paradigm and the event-based paradigm, respectively. The paper considers four viewpoints: functional behavior expression, validation, verification, and evolution. Issues in expressing event ordering constraints, data integrity constraints, and modularity are thereby considered. A simple case study is used to illustrate the comparison, namely, a library management system. Two equivalent specifications are presented using each method. The paper concludes that B and eb3 are complementary. The former is better at expressing complex ordering and static data integrity constraints, whereas the latter provides a simpler, modular, explicit representation of dynamic constraints that are closer to the user’s point of view, while providing loosely coupled definitions of data attributes. The generality of these results from the state-based paradigm and the event-based paradigm perspective are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Engineering Source

Description
Abstract:	This paper compares two formal methods, B and eb3, for specifying information systems. These two methods are chosen as examples of the state-based paradigm and the event-based paradigm, respectively. The paper considers four viewpoints: functional behavior expression, validation, verification, and evolution. Issues in expressing event ordering constraints, data integrity constraints, and modularity are thereby considered. A simple case study is used to illustrate the comparison, namely, a library management system. Two equivalent specifications are presented using each method. The paper concludes that B and eb3 are complementary. The former is better at expressing complex ordering and static data integrity constraints, whereas the latter provides a simpler, modular, explicit representation of dynamic constraints that are closer to the user’s point of view, while providing loosely coupled definitions of data attributes. The generality of these results from the state-based paradigm and the event-based paradigm perspective are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	16191366
DOI:	10.1007/s10270-005-0083-4