In this paper, we present a formalisation of the reference semantics of Object-Z in the higher-order logic (HOL) instantiation of the generic theorem prover Isabelle, Isabelle/HOL. This formalisation has the effect of both clarifying the semantics and providing the basis for a theorem prover for Object-Z. The work builds on an earlier encoding of a value semantics for object-oriented Z in Isabe...

A major problem with creating tools for Object-Z is that its high-level abstractions are difficult to deal with directly. Integrating Object-Z with a more concrete notation is a sound strategy. With this in mind, in this paper we introduce an approach to model-checking Object-Z specifications based on first integrating Object-Z with the Abstract State Machine (ASM) notation to get the notation ...

Nowadays, model checking is recognized as an efficient technology for verifying system properties. There are many tools such as SPIN and NuSMV supports model checking that will greatly enhance software systems applicability. However, it is difficult to establish a tool to directly verify Object-Z, because of its highlevel abstraction. This paper puts the Object-Z specification into label transi...

Object-Z is an extension of the formal specification language Z, augmenting the class concept as a structuring facility. This paper introduces and discusses a structural mapping sys tem f r o m Object-Z to the programming language C++, and reports on its implementat ion o n UNIX. The structural mapping translates an Object-Z specification consisting of classes into class interfaces of C++ such ...

Object-Z is an extension to the Z language designed to facilitate spec-iication in an object-oriented style. It is an excellent tool for modelling data and operations, but its object semantics are single threaded, operations are atomic, and object control logic is deened implicitly. This makes it diicult to use Object-Z to capture the behaviour of concurrent real-time reactive systems. On the o...

State-based refinement relations have been developed for use on the Object-Z components in an integrated Object-Z / CSP specification. However this refinement methodology does not allow the structure of a specification to be changed in a refinement, whereas a full methodology would allow concurrency to be introduced during the development life-cycle. In this paper we tackle these concerns and d...

Formal methods for software development are becoming increasingly necessary as softwarebecomes an important part of everyday life. To handle the complexities inherent in large-scale software systems these methods need to be combined with a sound developmentmethodology which supports modularity and reusability. Object orientation, based on theconcept that systems are composed of ...

A formal object-oriented speciication using Object-Z is given of an animal's environment which builds on previous work using formal descriptions in this area. The object framework provides a closer match between natural categories and speciied classes, and the formal speciication acts as a tool to explicitly state all assumptions, consequences and behaviors involved for a set of objects at hand...

The industrial potential of object-oriented formal methods is enormous. The potential of these methods has largely gone unrealised however, due to weaknesses in the underlying semantic foundations. This paper addresses that problem. We identify the \hard" problems in the area as: (i) the need to model object identity; (ii) the relationship between structure and behaviour; and, (iii) the (someti...