Modeling component erroneous behavior and error propagation for dependability analysis

Abstract

Modeling erroneous behavior of software components along with normal behavior tends to be complex and hard to read or modify. However, ignoring the erroneous behavior and error propagation in models used for dependability analysis has a negative impact on the dependability assessment accuracy. In this paper, we propose a framework for automating dependability modeling and analysis that considers component erroneous behavior. Particularly, the paper focuses on our Component Erroneous Behavior Aspect Modeling approach (CeBAM), which captures component erroneous behavior and error propagation. We apply aspect-oriented modeling techniques to model erroneous behaviors separately from the normal behavior. The approach reduces the model complexity and improves its readability and modifiability. In addition, we propose a profile to extend the UML protocol state machine to capture both incoming and outgoing messages on components' ports. We automate the composition of normal and erroneous behavior by aspect weaving. This enables the next step: conformance verification between each component's complete internal behavior and its protocol state machines, as well as between component interfaces. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.