Abstract
The front end of the software life cycle has been identified as critical in the development of software systems. The development of precise, concise, and unambiguous software specifications is the important link in the front end of the software life cycle. Executable software specification languages have been developed for prototyping as a means of demonstrating functionality. The executable specifications can serve to validate end-user needs. In addition, the executable specifications can also serve as the standard for activities downstream in the software life cycle, e.g., design validation, test data generation, and software enhancements. The iterative development process puts stringent requirements on the usability of the tools and techniques in the front end of the software life cycle. The DESCARTES specification language and support software were developed to address these issues. The DESCARTES language is a simple yet powerful approach to the specification of software systems. A language processor with an abstract execution facility allows for execution of partial through complete DESCARTES specifications. This article discusses the usability of DESCARTES in the context of evaluation criteria proposed by several specification language developers. Presented here are approaches to enhance usability in terms of providing multiple views and editing of DESCARTES specifications and using these views in an integrated fashion. Textual, graphical, and Nassi-Shneiderman representations are described for DESCARTES specifications. The DESCARTES Visual Support Environment is presented as the means for providing the multiple views.
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