Extending SOFL to support both top-down and bottom-up approaches

Abstract

This paper presents an integrated approach to support both top-down and bottom-up design of software systems by combining UML (Unified Modeling Language) and the Formal Engineering Method SOFL (Structured Object-oriented Formal Language). We demonstrate by examples that the top-down principle used in conventional Structured Design can be effectively utilized to carry out Object-Oriented design that is usually seen as a way to suit bottom-up analysis and design. Furthermore, we also explain how the integrated approach helps to improve the preciseness and understandability of design documentations.