Towards Model Validation and Verification with SAT Techniques

Abstract

After sketching how system development and the UML (Unified Modeling
Language) and the OCL (Object Constraint Language) are related,
validation and verification with the tool USE (UML-based Specification
Environment) is demonstrated. As a more efficient alternative for
verification tasks, two approaches using SAT-based techniques are put
forward: First, a direct encoding of UML and OCL with Boolean
variables and propositional formulas, and second, an encoding
employing an intermediate, higher-level language (KODKOD, stongly
connected to ALLOY). A number of further, presently not realized
verification and validation tasks and the transformation of
higher-level modeling concepts into simple UML/OCL models, which are
checkable with SAT-based techniques, are shortly discussed. Finally,
the potential of SAT-based techniques for model development is again
emphasized.