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EB3: an entity-based black-box specification method for information systems

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Abstract

This paper describes a formal method for specifying the observable (external) behavior of information systems using a process algebra and input-output traces. Its notation is mainly based on the entity concept, borrowed from the Jackson System Development method, and integrated with the requirements class diagram to represent data structures and associations. The specification process promotes modular and incremental description of the behavior of each entity through process abstraction, entity type patterns, and entity attribute function patterns. Valid system input traces result from the composition of entity traces by using parallel composition operations. The association between input traces and outputs through an input-output relation completes the specification process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département de mathématiques et d’informatique, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada

    M. Frappier & R. St-Denis

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  1. M. Frappier
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  2. R. St-Denis
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Correspondence to M. Frappier.

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Frappier, M., St-Denis, R. EB3: an entity-based black-box specification method for information systems. Softw Syst Model 2, 134–149 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10270-003-0024-z

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