Author(s)

M.R. Poppleton

Abstract

Formal specification and rapid prototyping: building in quality at the start M.R. Poppleton School of Mathematical and Information Sciences, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry, ABSTRACT Formal Methods for Software Engineering, although widely recognised in academe as of potential benefit to industry, have proved difficult to "sell", both to industry and to students. Building on a novel teaching approach at Coventry University, we present an integrated approach to formal specification and rapid prototyping that offers a real contribution to building in quality at the front end of the development lifecycle. The significance of formal specification and rapid prototyping for software development are discussed. An introduction is given to the functional programming language Miranda™, the vehicle for our approach. An extended type structure is presented for Miranda, providing an executable specification language based on simple set- theoretical structure

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