Software Engineering - Old Questions

5. What do you mean by behavioral specifcation?

The simple algebraic technique can be used to describe interfaces where the object state changing depending on the previous operation result. Where this condition holds we say it the behavior properties of system. The specification which is used to specify such type of system property is called behavioral specification.

The object state of the subsystem changes on the result of operations in the object or while interacting with other sub-system objects. The changes of the state of object is called behavioral characteristics of the system. The behavioral state of the formal specification is represented by model-based approach and is expressed as a state model.

Basic types of behavioral specification:

1. Abstract model specifications: defines operations in terms of well-defined mathematical model.

2. Algebraic specifications: defines operations by a collection of equivalence relations.

3. State transition specification: defines operations in terms of states and transitions.

4. Axiomatic specifications: defines operations by logical assertions.