Multi-relations in Z. A cross between multi-sets and binary relations
type: Item
instance of: scholarly article
title: Multi-relations in Z. A cross between multi-sets and binary relations
zbMATH Open document ID: 0744.68036
DOI: 10.1007/BF01178565
published in: Acta Informatica
publication date: 1992-06-28T00:00:00Z
review text: Both the theories of binary relations and multi-sets (or bags) in \(Z\) have been usefully applied to software specification and development. In this paper we examine a useful theory --- multi-relations --- which is a cross between these two theories. One way of viewing relations is as sets of pairs. Here, by analogy, we view multi-relations as multi-sets of pairs, and we define multi-relation equivalents of most of the traditional operators defined on binary relations. Multi-relations can also be viewed as graphs or two-dimensional matrices (with indices over arbitrary sets). The use of multi-relations is illustrated by specifying a bill-of- materials system. This provides a good example of the paradigm of building a suitable mathematical theory first and then developing a specification in terms of the theory.
Mathematics Subject Classification ID: 68N99
Mathematics Subject Classification ID: 03E20
Mathematics Subject Classification ID: 68Q60
zbMATH DE Number: 36744
zbMATH Keywords: specification and development of software systems
zbMATH Keywords: bags
zbMATH Keywords: \(Z\)
zbMATH Keywords: multi- relations
zbMATH Keywords: multi-sets of pairs
zbMATH Keywords: bill-of-materials system
author: Ian Hayes
describes a project that uses: Z
MaRDI profile type: MaRDI publication profile
cites work: Q4770975
cites work: Q4003175
cites work: Q3859249
cites work: Q3997074
cites work: Q3995087
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description: scientific article; zbMATH DE number 36744