The Common Framework Initiative for algebraic specification and development of software ⋆

Abstract. The Common Framework Initiative (CoFI) isanopeninternational collaboration which aims to provide a common framework for algebraic specification and development of software. The central element of the Common Framework is a specification language called Casl for formal specification of functional requirements and modular software design which subsumes many previous algebraic specification languages. This paper is a brief summary of past and present work on CoFI.

The Common Framework Initiative for algebraic specification and development of software

. The Common Framework Initiative (CoFI) is an open international collaboration which aims to provide a common framework for algebraic specification and development of software. The central element of the Common Framework is a specification language called Casl for formal specification of functional requirements and modular software design which subsumes many previous algebraic specification languages. This paper is a brief summary of past and present work on CoFI. 1 Introduction Algebraic specification is one of the most extensively-developed approaches in the formal methods area. The most fundamental assumption underlying algebraic specification is that programs are modelled as many-sorted algebras consisting of a collection of sets of data values together with functions over those sets. This level of abstraction is commensurate with the view that the correctness of the input/output behaviour of a program takes precedence over all its other properties. Another common element is tha..