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Formalization of Software Development Process (PhD Thesis)

By: Material type: TextTextLanguage: English Publication details: Karachi : NED University of Engineering and Technology Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, 2004Description: IV, 123 p. : illSubject(s): DDC classification:
  • 005.10378242 USM
Summary: Abstract : The thesis presents a new and improved Formal Methodology which could be applied for analysis/design of business/commercial environment, and provides assistance to systems developers. The methodology proposed has three modules: A) A formal conceptual model defined in set type notation; B) A System Description Language (SOL) in predicate/set type notation; C) A set of software tools specified in an algorithmic notation with embedded SOL, to express specifications and ensure its verification using dual techniques i.e. Formal & Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is observed during the research that software developers face difficulties in transforming system specifications and design from traditional to formal/object oriented formats and vice versa. In order to confine the scope of research unification of traditional, formal and object oriented approaches was not covered and has been left for future research. A unique feature of the research is the successful application of AI for specifications' verification. It is a proven fact that the cause of failure of the majority of software projects is flaws in analysis/design. Therefore, in this research specifications' verification has been targeted and a dual test bed (formal and Al) is developed. The application of Al has not been exhaustive and further application of the proposed concept needs to be explored. The software tool has been programmed using Visual Basic at the front end and Microsoft Access at the back.
Holdings
Item type Current library Shelving location Call number Status Date due Barcode
Reference Collection Reference Collection Government Document Section Govt Publication Section 005.10378242 USM Available 89211
Reference Collection Reference Collection Government Document Section Govt Publication Section 005.10378242 USM Available 89212

Abstract :

The thesis presents a new and improved Formal Methodology which could be applied for analysis/design of business/commercial environment, and provides assistance to systems developers.
The methodology proposed has three modules:
A) A formal conceptual model defined in set type notation;
B) A System Description Language (SOL) in predicate/set type notation;
C) A set of software tools specified in an algorithmic notation with embedded SOL, to express specifications and ensure its verification using dual techniques i.e.
Formal & Artificial Intelligence (AI).

It is observed during the research that software developers face difficulties in transforming system specifications and design from traditional to formal/object oriented formats and vice versa. In order to confine the scope of research unification of traditional, formal and object oriented approaches was not covered and has been left for future research.

A unique feature of the research is the successful application of AI for specifications' verification. It is a proven fact that the cause of failure of the majority of software projects is flaws in analysis/design. Therefore, in this research specifications' verification has been targeted and a dual test bed (formal and Al) is developed. The application of Al has not been exhaustive and further application of the proposed concept needs to be
explored.
The software tool has been programmed using Visual Basic at the front end and Microsoft Access at the back.