Modelling ODP viewpoints

Abstract

This paper gives a brief insight into the current work on the development of an architectural semantics for Open Distributed Processing (ODP). It first provides an introduction to the work on the formalisation in LOTOS and Z of the basic modelling and specification concepts of Part 2, and then focuses on the viewpoint languages of Part 3 of the Basic Reference Model for ODP (RM-ODP). It also shows up the separation of concerns that is achieved through these viewpoints thereby enabling systems to be considered from aspects which might be of interest to different people. This paper also highlights the way in which conformance between these formalised viewpoints can be checked, thereby ensuring that the system as a whole is consistent with the system as a collection of abstract viewpoints of the system. Finally the paper concludes with a brief discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of LOTOS and Z for modelling viewpoint languages and the RM-ODP generally.