Managing inconsistent specifications: reasoning, analysis and action
File(s)
Technical report
Author(s)
Hunter, Anthony
Nuseibeh, Bashar
Type
Report
Abstract
In previous work, we have advocated continued development of speci-fications in the presence of inconsistency. To support this, we have used
classical logic to represent partial specifications and to identify inconsis-
tencies between them. We now present an adaptation of classical logic,
which we term quasi-classic al (QC) logic, that allows continued reason-
ing in the presence of inconsistency. The adaptation is a weakening of
classical logic that prohibits all trivial derivations, but still allows all re-
solvants of the assumptions to b e derived. Furthermore, the connectives
behave in a classical manner. We then present a development called labelled QC logic that records and tracks assumptions used in reasoning.
This facilitates a logical analysis of inconsistent information. We discuss
the application of lab elled QC logic in the analysis of multi-perspective
specifications. Such specifications are developed by multiple participants
who hold overlapping, often inconsistent, views of the systems they are
developing. Finally, we discuss further the notion of acting in the presence
of inconsistency, and examine the use of meta-level inconsistency handling
rules to support such action. The feasibility of automated support for this
kind of inconsistency handling is also discussed, and related work in the
area is critically reviewed.
classical logic to represent partial specifications and to identify inconsis-
tencies between them. We now present an adaptation of classical logic,
which we term quasi-classic al (QC) logic, that allows continued reason-
ing in the presence of inconsistency. The adaptation is a weakening of
classical logic that prohibits all trivial derivations, but still allows all re-
solvants of the assumptions to b e derived. Furthermore, the connectives
behave in a classical manner. We then present a development called labelled QC logic that records and tracks assumptions used in reasoning.
This facilitates a logical analysis of inconsistent information. We discuss
the application of lab elled QC logic in the analysis of multi-perspective
specifications. Such specifications are developed by multiple participants
who hold overlapping, often inconsistent, views of the systems they are
developing. Finally, we discuss further the notion of acting in the presence
of inconsistency, and examine the use of meta-level inconsistency handling
rules to support such action. The feasibility of automated support for this
kind of inconsistency handling is also discussed, and related work in the
area is critically reviewed.
Date Issued
1995-10-13
Citation
Departmental Technical Report: 95/15, 1995, pp.1-32
Publisher
Department of Computing, Imperial College London
Start Page
1
End Page
32
Journal / Book Title
Departmental Technical Report: 95/15
Copyright Statement
© 1995 The Author(s). This report is available open access under a CC-BY-NC-ND (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
License URL
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Publication Status
Published