Computer Science, Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth University of Wales

CS33210 (1995-96 session)
Advanced Software Engineering

Brief Description

Aims, Objectives, Syllabus, Booklist,

Further Details

Number of lectures

24

Number of seminars/tutorials

4

Number of practicals

0

Coordinator

Dr. Fred Long

Other staff involved

Not yet known

Pre-requisites

CS21020 /C210, CS22110 /C220, CS22210 /C220

Co-requisites

None

Incompatibilities

None

Assessment

Assessed coursework - 20%
Written exam - 80%

Timing

This module is offered only in Semester 1

• the problems of incompleteness, inconsistency and ambiguity arising from traditional methods of software specification;
• the different approaches to formal specification;
• the stages and processes involved in the development of a software design using VDM;
• the deficiencies of VDM and the attempts to overcome these in some other formal specification methods;
• the need for database support for project management and software development;
• the necessity for standard tool support interfaces;
• the basic facilities of the tool support interface PCTE;
• the technical problems facing tool support interface developers;
• the current trends in software tool integration.

The Traditional Approach to Specification - 1 Lecture

Problems of incompleteness, inconsistency and ambiguity. Practical problems (volume of paperwork, etc.).

Formal Specifications - 1 Lecture

The advantages and disadvantages of formal specification. Algebraic and operational specifications.

VDM as a Specification Language - 5 Lectures

Introduction and history. The VDM specification language. Data types in VDM. An example specification.

VDM as a Formal Development Method - 4 Lectures

Stages and processes in the development of a software design using VDM. Data reification and operation decomposition.

Outstanding Problems and Other Methods - 1 Lecture

Formal specification of systems with concurrency. Modularisation of formal specifications. Safety and reliability issues. Other specification languages, Z and GYPSY (briefly). ANNA and SPARK.

Integration of Software Tools - 2 Lectures

Why integration is important. The dimensions of integration. Why traditional operating systems are not good enough.

Integrated Project Support Environments - 4 Lectures

Database support for project management and software development. Typical tools. Use of a database as a means of integration. Other aspects of integration (e.g., the user interface). Structure of an IPSE; Tool Builder as an example.

Tool Support Interfaces - 4 Lectures

The need for standard tool support interfaces. The issues which such interfaces should address. Current standards (PCTE and CAIS). Technical problems (granularity, wide area distribution).

Current Trends - 2 Lectures

A brief discussion of current trends in tool integration and CASE.

It is considered essential to purchase the following

C.B. Jones. Systematic Software Development Using VDM. International Series in Computer Science. Prentice-Hall, 2nd. edition, 1990.

The following should be consulted for different approaches or for further information

J. Woodcock and M. Loomes. Software Engineering Mathematics. Pitman, 1988.

I. Hayes, editor. Specification Case Studies. International Series in Computer Science. Prentice-Hall, 2nd. edition, 1993.

J.M. Spivey. The Z Notation: A Reference Manual. International Series in Computer Science. Prentice-Hall, 2nd. edition, 1992.

A.W. Brown, D.J. Carney, E.J. Morris, D.B. Smith, and P.F. Zarrella. Principles of CASE Tool Integration. Oxford University Press, 1994.

Version 4.1

John Hunt Departmental Advisor