OBSERV - object-oriented based specification, execution and rapid validation system

An innovative methodology for software development is described. The main objectives of the methodology are to allow rapid construction of an executable specification (or prototype) of a system, to support testing the prototype by means of simulation, to facilitate a smooth transition to a target system, and to provide the means for reusing specification, design, and code of subsystems. This is achieved by incorporating several known paradigms in a novel form. The basis is the object-oriented approach. The authors use an architectural language for describing the high-level structure of a system and a state machine notation for describing individual object behavior. These two are separated to enhance reusability, which is achieved with the helop of a knowledge base that holds existing designs. The methodology is supported by a collection of automated tools.