Automatic refinement of distributed systems specifications using program transformations

Formal specification techniques and automatic refinement tools for distributed systems have become key issues in current computing technology. The paper reports the development of a refinement tool based on the Extended State Transition Language (Estelle). Estelle is a format description technique (FDT) for distributed systems and communication protocols standardized by ISO. The refinement approach addresses an OO execution metamodel which is instantiated using C++. Transformations are used as the main technology behind the construction of this tool.