Z notation

An example of a formal specification (in Spanish) using the Z notation.

The Z notation /ˈzɛd/ is a formal specification language used for describing and modelling computing systems. It is targeted at the clear specification of computer programs and computer-based systems in general.

History

In 1974, Jean-Raymond Abrial published "Data Semantics".[1] He used a notation that would later be taught in the University of Grenoble until the end of the 1980s. While at EDF (Électricité de France), Abrial wrote internal notes on Z. The Z notation is used in the 1980 book Méthodes de programmation.[2]

Z was originally proposed by Abrial in 1977 with the help of Steve Schuman and Bertrand Meyer.[3] It was developed further at the Programming Research Group at Oxford University, where Abrial worked in the early 1980s, having arrived at Oxford in September 1979.

Abrial has said that Z is so named "Because it is the ultimate language!"[4] although the name "Zermelo" is also associated with the Z notation through its use of Zermelo–Fraenkel set theory.

Usage and notation

Z is based on the standard mathematical notation used in axiomatic set theory, lambda calculus, and first-order predicate logic. All expressions in Z notation are typed, thereby avoiding some of the paradoxes of naive set theory. Z contains a standardized catalogue (called the mathematical toolkit) of commonly used mathematical functions and predicates, defined using Z itself.

Although Z notation (just like the APL language, long before it) uses many non-ASCII symbols, the specification includes suggestions for rendering the Z notation symbols in ASCII and in LaTeX. There are also Unicode encodings for all standard Z symbols.

Standards

ISO completed a Z standardization effort in 2002. This standard[5] and a technical corrigendum[6] are available from ISO for free:

  • the standard is publicly available[5] from the ISO ITTF site free of charge and, separately, available for purchase[5] from the ISO site;
  • the technical corrigendum is available[6] from the ISO site free of charge.

Tools

  • Community Z Tools (CZT) (project), Source forge
  • Z Word tools (project), Source forge for developing and checking Z specifications in Microsoft Word
  • Fuzz, a type-checker for Z
  • Z/Eves — A proof checker for the Z notation (German site but all manuals in English)
  • Z/EVES Documentation, papers, and manuals on Z/EVES
  • ZETA open-source system for development software specifications in Z
  • HOL-Z open-source proof environment for Z in Isabelle/HOL
  • CADiZ, a set of free software tools that assist use of Z notation
  • ProofPower, a suite of open-source tools supporting specification and proof in HOL and in the Z notation
  • z-vimes Z-Vimes: type checker and (eventually) theorem prover for the Z specification language
  • ProB is an animator and model checker originally written for the B-Method that provides also support for Z specifications ("ProZ") that conform to the Fuzz type checker

See also

References

  1. ↑ Abrial, Jean-Raymond (1974), "Data Semantics", in Klimbie, J. W.; Koffeman, K. L., Proceedings of the IFIP Working Conference on Data Base Management, North-Holland, pp. 1–59
  2. ↑ Meyer, Bertrand; Baudoin, Claude (1980), Méthodes de programmation (in French), Eyrolles
  3. ↑ Abrial, Jean-Raymond; Schuman, Stephen A; Meyer, Bertrand (1980), "A Specification Language", in Macnaghten, A. M.; McKeag, R. M., On the Construction of Programs, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-23090-X (describes early version of the language).
  4. ↑ Hoogeboom, Hendrik Jan. "Formal Methods in Software Engineering" (PDF). The Netherland: University of Leiden. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 "ISO/IEC 13568:2002". Information Technology — Z Formal Specification Notation — Syntax, Type System and Semantics (Zipped PDF). ISO. 2002-07-01. 196 pp.
  6. 1 2 "ISO/IEC 13568:2002/Cor.1:2007". Information Technology — Z Formal Specification Notation — Syntax, Type System and Semantics — Technical corrigendum 1 (PDF). ISO. 2007-07-15. 12 pp.

Further reading

  • Spivey, John Michael (1992). The Z Notation: A reference manual. International Series in Computer Science (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall.
  • Davies, Jim; Woodcock, Jim (1996). Using Z: Specification, Refinement and Proof. International Series in Computer Science. Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-948472-8. Archived from the original on 2009-06-27.
  • Bowen, Jonathan (1996). Formal Specification and Documentation using Z: A Case Study Approach. International Thomson Computer Press. ISBN 1-85032-230-9.
  • Jacky, Jonathan (1997). The Way of Z: Practical Programming with Formal Methods. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-55976-6.
  • Toyn, Ian, Z Specification proposals, UK: York .
  • WSDL 2.0, W3C , a specification containing Z notation assertions and explanation
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