Generating Distributed Applications from Formal Object-Oriented Specifications

SureObjects proposes specifying and implementing a practical development environment for creating formal algebraic specifications of the semantics of potentially distributed objects and functions and subsequently automatically generating the source code corresponding to those specifications. Such specifications typically specify, but are not necessarily restricted to, object class definitions. Unique features incorporated include: (1) the first use of the formal semantics of partitioned algebras as the basis for generating code, (2) the use of graphics to specify the algebraic semantics instead of the usual textual equations (i.e., provides a more applicable and intuitive means of specifying imperative semantics), and (3) automatically generating code directly from formal specifications including the capability of supporting distributed objects transparently. Furthermore, the proposal directly addresses several of the suggestions for reliable software development including: automated support of analysis and design, automatic program generators, and particularly the interest in environments for developing distributed applications. Anticipated results of the project include the ability to create, modify, store, retrieve formal graphic specifications of object classes and functions, and also completely generate application source code from them. NASA should benefit by increasing the quality of the application code and decreasing the effort to create that code.