A Software Development Model for the Automatic Generation of Classes

Abstract

In this paper it is presented a software development model based on transformations that allows to derive, in an automatic way, classes in object-oriented programming languages (Ada 95, C++, Eiffel and Java) starting from formal specifications. The set of transformations that conforms the software development model are a systematic steps, which starts from the algebraic specification of a type. This algebraic specification describes the abstract behavior of a type (type of interest) by means of other type, previously specified and implemented (representation type). In a progressive way, the transformations steps allow get a program (class) nearby to the initial specification (type of interest). These transformations obtain -in the first step- an intermediate specification (class specification) that it describes the operations of the type of interest by means of pre and post-conditions. Then, the intermediate specification is used to obtain imperative code in language-independent notation (pseudo-class); and finally the pseudo-class is transformed to any object- oriented programming language for which it has been defined transformations.

Keywords

• software development model based on transformations
• automatic construction of programs
• formal specifications
• algebraic specifications
• class specifications
• data type