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Abstract:
It is common belief that there is a substantial difference between model-oriented (eg. Z and VDM) and algebraic specification languages (eg. LSL and ACT-ONE) wrt. their applicability to the specification of software systems. While model-oriented specification languages are assumed to be suited better for the description of state based systems (abstract machines), algebraic specification languages are assumed to be better for abstract datatype specifications. In this paper we shall demonstrate how an algebraic specification language (the Larch Shared Language) can be used to write specifications of abstract machines in the style of Z and how support tools for algebraic specification languages, eg. type checker and theorem provers, can be used to reason about abstract machines.
