The common aspect proof environment

Abstract

We describe the goals, architecture, design considerations and use of the common aspect proof environment (CAPE). The CAPE is an extensible framework integrating formal methods and analysis tools for aspect-oriented programs. It is intended both to encourage the use of formal methods and analysis tools for systems with aspects and to facilitate the development of new tools for aspect analysis. The general principles of the CAPE are first explained, and the components and their high-level organization are given. The user interfaces are described, providing both application oriented and tool oriented Eclipse views. A description of the tools already integrated into the CAPE is given, and some analysis and verification scenarios are shown for an example aspect system. The aid of the CAPE in tool evaluation and experimentation with innovative usage of tools is demonstrated. As one example, verification aspects are used to aid in the abstraction and specification needed for formal analysis in Java Pathfinder. The scenarios and strategies employed are steps towards a methodology that includes multiple formal methods tools in aspect-oriented software development.