A Semantic Comparison of Fusion and Syntropy

The Fusion and Syntropy object-oriented methods reflect some of the most rigorous object-oriented modelling concepts and experiences currently available. In this paper we identify similarities and differences between the two methods, and discuss how the best concepts from each of these methods can be combined to obtain clearer, more precise analysis models, specifications, and designs, and can be used to enhance the modelling power of the other. A summary of a semantics for Syntropy is given in Appendix A, and ways in which this can be extended to Fusion are described. This work was carried out as part of the EPSRC projects ‘Object-oriented Specification of Reactive and Real-time Systems’ concerning the extension of Fusion to treat reactive systems, and ‘Formal Underpinnings for Object Technology’ concerned with developing a full semantics for Syntropy.