22,926 research outputs found
Experience with statically-generated proxies for facilitating Java runtime specialisation
Issues pertaining to mechanisms which can be used to change the behaviour of Java classes at runtime are discussed. The proxy mechanism is compared to, and contrasted with other standard approaches to this problem. Some of the problems the proxy mechanism is subject to are expanded upon. The question of whether statically-developed proxies are a viable alternative to bytecode rewriting was investigated by means of the JavaCloak system, which uses statically-generated proxies to alter the runtime behaviour of externally-developed code. The issues addressed include ensuring the type safety, dealing with the self problem, object encapsulation, and issues of object identity and equality. Some performance figures are provided which demonstrate the load the JavaCloak proxy mechanism places on the system
Clafer: Lightweight Modeling of Structure, Behaviour, and Variability
Embedded software is growing fast in size and complexity, leading to intimate
mixture of complex architectures and complex control. Consequently, software
specification requires modeling both structures and behaviour of systems.
Unfortunately, existing languages do not integrate these aspects well, usually
prioritizing one of them. It is common to develop a separate language for each
of these facets. In this paper, we contribute Clafer: a small language that
attempts to tackle this challenge. It combines rich structural modeling with
state of the art behavioural formalisms. We are not aware of any other modeling
language that seamlessly combines these facets common to system and software
modeling. We show how Clafer, in a single unified syntax and semantics, allows
capturing feature models (variability), component models, discrete control
models (automata) and variability encompassing all these aspects. The language
is built on top of first order logic with quantifiers over basic entities (for
modeling structures) combined with linear temporal logic (for modeling
behaviour). On top of this semantic foundation we build a simple but expressive
syntax, enriched with carefully selected syntactic expansions that cover
hierarchical modeling, associations, automata, scenarios, and Dwyer's property
patterns. We evaluate Clafer using a power window case study, and comparing it
against other notations that substantially overlap with its scope (SysML, AADL,
Temporal OCL and Live Sequence Charts), discussing benefits and perils of using
a single notation for the purpose
A Graph-Based Semantics Workbench for Concurrent Asynchronous Programs
A number of novel programming languages and libraries have been proposed that
offer simpler-to-use models of concurrency than threads. It is challenging,
however, to devise execution models that successfully realise their
abstractions without forfeiting performance or introducing unintended
behaviours. This is exemplified by SCOOP---a concurrent object-oriented
message-passing language---which has seen multiple semantics proposed and
implemented over its evolution. We propose a "semantics workbench" with fully
and semi-automatic tools for SCOOP, that can be used to analyse and compare
programs with respect to different execution models. We demonstrate its use in
checking the consistency of semantics by applying it to a set of representative
programs, and highlighting a deadlock-related discrepancy between the principal
execution models of the language. Our workbench is based on a modular and
parameterisable graph transformation semantics implemented in the GROOVE tool.
We discuss how graph transformations are leveraged to atomically model
intricate language abstractions, and how the visual yet algebraic nature of the
model can be used to ascertain soundness.Comment: Accepted for publication in the proceedings of FASE 2016 (to appear
Deadlock detection of Java Bytecode
This paper presents a technique for deadlock detection of Java programs. The
technique uses typing rules for extracting infinite-state abstract models of
the dependencies among the components of the Java intermediate language -- the
Java bytecode. Models are subsequently analysed by means of an extension of a
solver that we have defined for detecting deadlocks in process calculi. Our
technique is complemented by a prototype verifier that also covers most of the
Java features.Comment: Pre-proceedings paper presented at the 27th International Symposium
on Logic-Based Program Synthesis and Transformation (LOPSTR 2017), Namur,
Belgium, 10-12 October 2017 (arXiv:1708.07854
A theorem prover-based analysis tool for object-oriented databases
We present a theorem-prover based analysis tool for object-oriented database systems with integrity constraints. Object-oriented database specifications are mapped to higher-order logic (HOL). This allows us to reason about the semantics of database operations using a mechanical theorem prover such as Isabelle or PVS. The tool can be used to verify various semantics requirements of the schema (such as transaction safety, compensation, and commutativity) to support the advanced transaction models used in workflow and cooperative work. We give an example of method safety analysis for the generic structure editing operations of a cooperative authoring system
Phenotypic and social effects on behavioural trade-offs in Eurasian perch
Trading between conflicting demands is a fundamental part in how animals interact with its environment and social surrounding. Knowledge of what factors that are affecting behavioural decisions is central in our understanding of animal adaptation and ecology. This thesis summarizes a series of behavioural experiments investigating how animals compromise behaviours depending on environmental background and context. The focus is on within- and between-population variation in risk-taking and social trade-offs in young of the year and one year old Eurasian perch. Perch behaviour was quantified by observational studies in aquaria, using standardized assays that captured perch boldness and sociability. Perch from different predation backgrounds were compared in common garden experiments, as well as in multi-year inter-population comparisons, to study influence of predation experience on risk-taking phenotype. Results demonstrate predation as an important factor underlying how perch balance risk. Variation in risk-taking phenotype could to a large extent be explained by individual differences in experience of predation, rather than by fixed inherited responses caused by divergent selection. Experience of predation had long lasting effects on perch boldness, but perch were also able to quickly adjust phenotype in response to current conditions, indicating temporal flexibility in how experience shape behaviour. Social context influenced behaviour, with fish being bolder in larger group, and showing higher behavioural conformity. Occurrence of consistent individual variation in risk-taking and social behaviour could be established, confirming the existence of a personality dimension in perch behaviour. The thesis concludes that variation in how perch trade-off conflicting behaviours exists at multiple levels, from population to individual. Behavioural plasticity, even in strongly fitness related traits, is evident, although potential behavioural constraints in the form of consistent individuality is also present
Applying formal methods to standard development: the open distributed processing experience
Since their introduction, formal methods have been applied in various ways to different standards. This paper gives an account of these applications, focusing on one application in particular: the development of a framework for creating standards for Open Distributed Processing (ODP). Following an introduction to ODP, the paper gives an insight into the current work on formalising the architecture of the
Reference Model of ODP (RM-ODP), highlighting the advantages to be gained. The different approaches currently being taken are shown, together with their associated advantages and disadvantages. The paper concludes that there is no one all-purpose approach which can be used
in preference to all others, but that a combination of approaches is desirable to best fulfil the potential of formal methods in developing an architectural semantics for OD
Modular session types for objects
Session types allow communication protocols to be specified
type-theoretically so that protocol implementations can be verified by static
type checking. We extend previous work on session types for distributed
object-oriented languages in three ways. (1) We attach a session type to a
class definition, to specify the possible sequences of method calls. (2) We
allow a session type (protocol) implementation to be modularized, i.e.
partitioned into separately-callable methods. (3) We treat session-typed
communication channels as objects, integrating their session types with the
session types of classes. The result is an elegant unification of communication
channels and their session types, distributed object-oriented programming, and
a form of typestate supporting non-uniform objects, i.e. objects that
dynamically change the set of available methods. We define syntax, operational
se-mantics, a sound type system, and a sound and complete type checking
algorithm for a small distributed class-based object-oriented language with
structural subtyping. Static typing guarantees that both sequences of messages
on channels, and sequences of method calls on objects, conform to
type-theoretic specifications, thus ensuring type-safety. The language includes
expected features of session types, such as delegation, and expected features
of object-oriented programming, such as encapsulation of local state.Comment: Logical Methods in Computer Science (LMCS), International Federation
for Computational Logic, 201
Refinement and verification of concurrent systems specified in Object-Z and CSP
The formal development of large or complex systems can often be facilitated by the use of more than one formal specification language. Such a combination of languages is particularly suited to the specification of concurrent or distributed systems, where both the modelling of processes and state is necessary. This paper presents an approach to refinement and verification of specifications written using a combination of Object-Z and CSP. A common semantic basis for the two languages enables a unified method of refinement to be used, based upon CSP refinement. To enable state-based techniques to be used for the Object-Z components of a specification we develop state-based refinement relations which are sound and complete with respect to CSP refinement. In addition, a verification method for static and dynamic properties is presented. The method allows us to verify properties of the CSP system specification in terms of its component Object-Z classes by using the laws of the CSP operators together with the logic for Object-Z
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