A Formal Model for Model Interconnection Languages
Michael David Rice, Stephen B. Seidman · 1992
A formal, generic model of module interconnections is proposed that is based on the concepts of hierarchy and modularity. The mathematical formalism used in the model is derived from the specification language Z. The general form of the model is represented by a collection of Z schemas that is invariant across all of its applications. A particular application is specified by supplying values of generic parameters and by conjoining each of the general Z schemas with an application-specific Z schema and adding additional application-specific constraints. Applications are given to the Conic configuration language, the STILE graphical design and development environment, and to a setting for coarse-grained dataflow programming.