Implementation-First Approach of Developing Formal Semantics of a Simulation Language in VDM-SL

Abstract: Formal specification is a basis for rigorous software implementation. VDM-SL is a formal specification language with an extensive executable subset. Successful cases of VDM-family including VDM-SL have shown that producing a well-tested executable specification can reduce the cost of the implementation phase. This paper introduces and discusses the reversed order of specification and implementation. The development of a multi-agent simulation language called \remobidyc is described and examined as a case study of defining a formal specification after initial implementation and reflecting the specification into the implementation code.