Improving software design quality with ExSpect: An application of CASE-based prototyping in real-world situations

ExSpect (Executable Specification Tool) has been developed for the prototyping of software systems with their environment. It is based on high-level Petri nets with hierarchy, which makes it akin to flow diagram techniques. The bottom level uses a typed functional language. ExSpect has been applied in industry, showing promising results with respect to productivity and design quality. A real-world application of ExSpect is described.