Correct systems. Building a business process solution

Publication date 21 September 1998

The book presents the state of the art of \(X\)-machines, an older general computational model introduced by Eilenberg in 1974, later proposed by Holcombe as a basis for a possible specification language. Further investigations, developed in the frame of Verification and Testing Research Group in the Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield have demonstrated that this idea is of great potential value for software engineering. New classes of \(X\)-machines were introduced and studied with respect to their computational power, for instance the so called stream \(X\)-machines with underlying distributed systems. The book covers all current aspects of \(X\)-machines, including both theoretical foundations and the ways to use them as models of computer-based systems. It focuses on building correct systems and on generating test sets for them. The book opens with an exposure of some of the most well-known models of computer based systems, as finite automata and statecharts. The limitations of these mechanisms are discussed and the \(X\)-machine approach is introduced as a very general, intuitive and powerful model. The next chapter demonstrates the generality of the approach showing how to use \(X\)-machines for specifying some business processes. Chapter 3, ``Testing, testing, testing describes a complete testing method derived from the stream \(X\)-machine theory. An important aspect of the approach is the clear and unambiguous identification of design for test conditions that must be satisfied by a specification if the full power of the testing method is to be explored. Chapter 4 ``Building Correct Systems is devoted to an integrated design, refinement and testing strategy for \(X\)-machines. Testing refined \(X\)-machines is carried out by generating test sets for the refining machines separately, test them and then integrating these into the initial top level machine. Chapter 5 applies the approach to a real problem and the client's reaction. It describes a complete enterprise model. The testing was done using the methodology from the Chapter 4. The case study demonstrates that the outlined methods constitute a simple and effective procedure for building a correct system. The remaining chapters present in a rigorous manner the theoretical basis of \(X\)-machines, complete functional testing and refinement testing. The book is self-contained and provides information both for software engineers building practically relevant systems and for computer scientists interested in computational models. Research and design professionals active in the area of computer based systems specification and testing will find the book a valuable source of inspiration for further research topics.

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