Formalism and Language Tools for Specification of the Semantics of Software Libraries

Abstract

The paper considers the specification of the structure and the behavior of software libraries. It describes the existing problems of library specifications. A brief overview of the research field concerned with formalizing the specification of libraries and library functions is presented. The requirements imposed on the formalism designed are established; the formalism based on these requirements allows specification of all the properties of the libraries needed for automation of several classes of problems: defect detection in software, migration of applications into a new environment, and generation of software documentation. Requirements for language tools based on the developed formalism are proposed. The conclusion defines potential directions for further research.