BLOCKS, a Component Framework with Checking Facilities for Knowledge-Based Systems

équipe PULSARInternational audienceBLOCKS is an answer to the software engineering needs of the design of knowledge-based system engines. It is a framework composed of reusable and adaptable software components. However , its safe and correct use is complex and we supply formal models and associated tools to assist using it. These models and tools are based on behavioral description of components and on model checking techniques. They ensure a safe reuse of the components, especially when extending them through inheritance, owing to the notion of behavioral refinement

Towards Formalizing Behavorial Substitutability in Component Frameworks

International audienceWhen using a component framework, developers need to respect the behavior implemented by the components. Static information about the component interface is not sufficient. Dynamic information such as the description of valid sequences of operations is required. In this paper we propose a mathematical model and a formal language to describe the knowledge about behavior. We rely on a hierarchical model of deterministic finite state-machines. The execution model of these state-machines follows the Synchronous Paradigm. We focus on extension of components, owing to the notion of behavioral substitutability. A formal semantics for the language is defined and a composition-ality result allows us to get modular model-checking facilities. From the language and the model, we can draw practical design rules that are sufficient to preserve behavorial substitutability. Associated tools may ensure correct (re)use of components, as well as automatic simulation and verification , code generation, and run-time checks

SAVCBS 2003: Specification and Verification of Component-Based Systems

These are the proceedings for the SAVCBS 2003 workshop. This workshop was held at ESEC/FSE 2003 in Helsinki Finland in September 2003