Joint structural and temporal property specification using timed story scenario diagrams

Abstract

Complex software systems, and self-adaptive systems in particular, are characterized by complex structures and behavior. For their design, appropriate notations for the specification of properties that integrate structural and temporal aspects are required. We present Timed Story Scenario Diagrams (TSSD), a visual notation for scenario specifications that takes structural system properties into account and provides an integrated way of discussing system state evolution. We present the key features of the notation and demonstrate how the patterns of the Specification Pattern System [1,2] can be encoded using TSSDs. We also discuss how TSSDs can be derived from textual specifications in a straight-forward manner, using a case study. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.