Analyzing data flow diagrams by combination of formal methods and visualization techniques. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Haocheng; Liu, Wei; Xiong, Hao; Dong, Xiaoju
• Is Part Of: Journal of visual languages & computing. Volume 48(2018)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Data flow diagram -- Calculus of communicating systems -- State space -- Graph visualization; Visual programming languages (Computer science) -- Periodicals; Visual programming (Computer science) -- Periodicals; Programming languages (Electronic computers) -- Semantics -- Periodicals; Langages de programmation visuelle -- Périodiques; Programmation visuelle -- Périodiques; Langages de programmation -- Sémantique -- Périodiques; Programming languages (Electronic computers) -- Semantics; Visual programming (Computer science); Visual programming languages (Computer science); Periodicals; Electronic journals; 005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvlc.2018.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1045-926X

Abstract

Abstract: Data flow diagram (DFD) is an indispensable method to model data processing in software engineering. To analyze DFD rigorously, a formal semantics is demanded. Formal interpretation of DFD and its formal semantics lead to an accurate and non-ambiguous analysis. Calculus of Communicating System (CCS), a formal approach in concurrent system modeling, could be utilized to describe DFD. Given its CCS description, automation tools generate the state space of the system depicted by DFD, which reflects all the behaviors of the system. However, analyzing the state space only with character expressions is hard for software developers. In this paper, a visual system is introduced to assist developers to analyze and compare the systems by combination of formal methods and visualization techniques.