Abstract

This paper describes a class of formal analysis called consistency checking that mechanically checks requirements specifications, expressed in the SCR tabular notation, for application-independent properties. Properties include domain coverage, type correctness, and determinism. As background, the SCR notation for specifying requirements is reviewed. A formal requirements model describing the meaning of the SCR notation is summarized, and consistency checks derived from the formal model are described. The results of experiments to evaluate the utility of automated consistency checking are presented. Where consistency checking of requirements fits in the software development process is discussed. 1 Introduction A recent study of industrial application of formal methods concludes that formal methods, including those for specifying and analyzing requirements, are "beginning to be used seriously and successfully by industry: : : to develop systems of significant scale and importance" [5]...

Citations