Inputs and Outputs in PSL

Published

August 1, 2004

Author(s)

Conrad Bock, Michael Gruninger

Abstract

Inputs and outputs are ubiquitous in flow modeling, including popular programming languages. This paper examines how inputs and outputs can be formalized in the Process Specification Language (PSL) to reduce ambiguity and increase expressiveness compared to conventional flow modeling representations. Inputs and outputs are shown to be early design stage notions independent of existing PSL concepts, preconditions and postconditions in particular. The paper defines axioms for input and output, and constraints on existing PSL concepts. Some of these relate early and late stage design, while others provide for multiple views of inputs and outputs. It also identifies which aspects of input are metatheoretic and consequently outside the scope of PSL.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 7152

Report Number

7152

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.7152

Local Download

Keywords

control and data flow, inputs and outputs, ISO, process model, UML 2

Citation

Bock, C. and Gruninger, M. (2004), Inputs and Outputs in PSL, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.7152, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=822179 (Accessed October 20, 2025)