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System Reliability using Simulation Models and Formal Methods

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International Journal of Computer Applications
Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Volume 132 - Number 17
Year of Publication: 2015
Authors:
Wassim Trojet, Tahar Berradia
10.5120/ijca2015907684

Wassim Trojet and Tahar Berradia. Article: System Reliability using Simulation Models and Formal Methods. International Journal of Computer Applications 132(17):1-8, December 2015. Published by Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA. BibTeX

@article{key:article,
	author = {Wassim Trojet and Tahar Berradia},
	title = {Article: System Reliability using Simulation Models and Formal Methods},
	journal = {International Journal of Computer Applications},
	year = {2015},
	volume = {132},
	number = {17},
	pages = {1-8},
	month = {December},
	note = {Published by Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA}
}

Abstract

The general scope of the paper consists of improving the verification of simulation models through the integration of formal methods. We offer a formal verification approach of DEVS models based on Z notation. DEVS is a formalism that allows the description and analysis of the behavior of discrete event systems, i.e., systems whose state change depends on the occurrence of an event. A DEVS model is essentially validated by the simulation which permits of verifying whether it correctly describes the behavior of the system. However, a simulation does not cover all possible cases that means the model is validated only for the expected behaviors. For this reason, we have integrated the Z formal specification language in the DEVS formalism to detect errors before simulation which is still an important step for the validation. This integration consists of: (1) transforming a DEVS model into an equivalent Z specification and (2) verifying the consistency of the DEVS model on the resulting specification using the tools developed by the Z community. Such consistency is fulfilled by determinism and completeness. Thus, a DEVS model is subjected to an automatic formal verification before proceeding to its simulation.

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Keywords

DEVS, Discrete Event Simulation , Z, Formal Methods, Formal Verification