Using KIDS as a tool support for VDM

KIDS/VDM is an experimental environment that supports the synthesis of executable prototypes from VDM specifications. The development proceeds as a series of correctness preserving transformations under the strict control of the tool. A by-product of this development is the proof of consistency properties of the original specification. Experiments with the tool have shown its ability to handle independently written specifications. It also revealed useful to detect errors in specifications. The environment is based on, technologies of the Kestrel Institute Development System, including the REFINE and REGROUP languages, the design and optimization tactics, and the theorem prover.