Program Design with Algebraic Specifications
John W. Baugh · Electronic Computation · 1991
This paper demonstrates the use of algebraic methods in specifying the functional properties of engineering software components, an approach that enables one to focus on software design aspects instead of implementation details. Because they are formal objects, these specifications can be manipulated using ordinary mathematics, validated with respect to formal requirements, and shown to satisfy properties such as consistency and completeness. In addition, their concise and unambiguous nature makes them suitable for both communication and commentary, which are not possible with substantial program texts.