Specification of integrity-preserving operations in information systems byusing a formal UML-based language

Information system specification requires careful consideration of data int egrity. We present an approach to the definition of a variant of UML that a llows the rigorous specification of operations and transactions that enforc e data constraints. The approach to structural language definition, summari sed in Appendix A, extends that used for conventional UNE, comprising metam odels of the abstract syntax of structural aspects, with denotational seman tics. We add operation semantics using a formal notation, B. Issues relatin g to the tool-assisted specification of integrity-preserving transactions a re discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.