Abstract Model of MSG First Phase of an Experiment in Software Development
Abstract
This report describes the first phase of an experiment designed to demonstrate techniques for software development and evolution. The experiment involves the production of a family of functionally similar systems on dissimilar host computers with markedly different operating systems. The basic technique being used is machine assisted stepwise refinement from an abstract model program that embodies the desired characteristics of the family members without overconstraining the individual implementations. The example system being developed in this experiment is MSG, the interprocess communication component of the National Software Works (NSW). MSG has already been specified and implemented by conventional means for several host computers. Our experiment consists of: production of an abstract model of the MSG family, realization of MSG on two actual hosts, to study the incremental costs of producing new instances by our techniques from a suitable model, and evolution of the MSG family in accord with actual changes to the MSG specification as they arise, to evaluate the efficiencies of maintaining families in unison.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA062124
Entities
People
- George H. Mealy
- Glenn H. Holloway
- William R. Bush
Organizations
- Harvard University