A Meta-Implementation for Systems Network Architecture

IBM's Systems Network Architecture (SNA) is formally defined by a meta-implementation program written in the Format and Protocol Language (FAPL). This paper describes the structure of the SNA meta-implementation and the development of FAPL. The most interesting aspect of the meta-implementation is that the architecture specification of SNA is itself machine executable. This property leads to a number of applications in software technology, such as automated protocol validation and direct Implementation from the formal specification.