Model transformation for validation of software design

Model checking is a method for formally verifying finite-state concurrent systems such as circuit designs and communication protocols. System specification is expressed as temporal logic formula, where efficient symbolic algorithms are used to traverse the model defined by the system and check if the specification holds or not. Large state space can often be traversed in minutes. Graphical notation plays an important role in software modeling and designs. The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a standard language for specifying, visualizing, constructing, and documenting the artifacts of software systems. Nowadays graph grammars enable a high level of abstraction of software architecture and form a basis for various analysis and transformations. Their methods, techniques, and results have already been applied in many fields of computer science. In this thesis, we propose new techniques for an efficient transformation of UML software designs into a formalization for the model checking software, expressed by the approach of graph grammars and graph transformation systems. We have implemented our techniques in several case studies like ATM designs and security protocols. We demonstrate empirically that our transformation techniques are well-suited to apply them in specific UML software designs. Our transformation techniques run along two lines: The first line is to transform the UML state machines into equivalent simpler state machines called executable state machines, where the model checker HUGO and SPIN are called upon to verify whether certain required properties are indeed realized by the UML state machine designs. The second line is to transform the UML state machines into predicate diagrams, whereas the JML assertions and the Bandera Specification Language (BSL) are used to verify the desired properties. The model checker DIXIT attempts to verify the properties against the created predicate diagrams. Our prototype tool DAMAS is developed to use our transformation strategies to transform and compile the UML software designs into formalization of model checking software and vice versa.