Evaluation and composition of specification languages, an industrial point of view

This paper deals with experience with specification languages at AEROSPATIALE Aircraft, Systems and Avionics Division. We describe first the current avionics development environment. Then, we present our results and viewpoints on the use of the three specification languages: LOTOS, ESTEREL, and B. The evaluation studies we performed, showed that each of these languages does not cover in a complete way our needs in specification, validation, and development of avionics. Afterwards, we propose and illustrate an investigation approach that allows to structure and compose different formal specification languages in the same environment.