Z notation
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The Z notation Template:IPAc-en is a formal specification language used for describing and modelling computing systems.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It is targeted at the clear specification of computer programs and computer-based systems in general.
HistoryEdit
In 1974, Jean-Raymond Abrial published "Data Semantics".<ref>Template:Citation</ref> 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), working with Bertrand Meyer, Abrial also worked on developing Z.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Z notation is used in the 1980 book Méthodes de programmation.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Z was originally proposed by Abrial in 1977 with the help of Steve Schuman and Bertrand Meyer.<ref>Template:Citation (describes early version of the language).</ref> 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!"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> although the name "Zermelo" is also associated with the Z notation through its use of Zermelo–Fraenkel set theory.
In 1992, the Z User Group (ZUG) was established to oversee activities concerning the Z notation, especially meetings and conferences.<ref name="zug22">Template:Cite news</ref>
Usage and notationEdit
Z is based on the standard mathematical notation used in axiomatic set theory, lambda calculus, and first-order predicate logic.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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. It is augmented with Z schema boxes, which can be combined using their own operators, based on standard logical operators, and also by including schemas within other schemas. This allows Z specifications to be built up into large specifications in a convenient manner.
Because Z notation 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
StandardsEdit
ISO completed a Z standardization effort in 2002. This standard<ref name = "Standard">Template:Cite book 196 pp.</ref> and a technical corrigendum<ref name = "Corrigendum">Template:Cite book 12 pp.</ref> are available from ISO free:
- the standard is publicly available<ref name = "Standard" /> from the ISO ITTF site free of charge and, separately, available for purchase<ref name = "Standard" /> from the ISO site;
- the technical corrigendum is available<ref name = "Corrigendum" /> from the ISO site free of charge.
AwardEdit
In 1992, Oxford University Computing Laboratory and IBM were jointly awarded The Queen's Award for Technological Achievement "for the development of ... the Z notation, and its application in the IBM Customer Information Control System (CICS) product."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
See alsoEdit
- Z User Group (ZUG)
- Community Z Tools (CZT) project
- Other formal methods (and languages using formal specifications):
- VDM-SL, the main alternative to Z
- B-Method, developed by Jean-Raymond Abrial (creator of Z notation)
- Z++ and Object-Z, object extensions for the Z notation
- Alloy, a specification language inspired by Z notation and implementing the principles of Object Constraint Language (OCL).
- Verus, a proprietary tool built by Compion, Champaign, Illinois (later purchased by Motorola), for use in the multi-level secure UNIX project pioneered by its Addamax division.
- Fastest, a model-based testing tool for the Z notation.
- Unified Modeling Language, a software system design modeling tool by Object Management Group
ReferencesEdit
Further readingEdit
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