[L3] ================================================ AMAST Links 02 07 Two reports in software engineering These reports are available from burns@windfall.crl.McMaster.CA "For profit" companies are asked to pay $5 and $8 respectively (except for members of TRIO and CITR). **On Trace Specifications, CRL Report No. 305, by Theo S. Norvell** This report explores some ideas for formally specifying modules based on trace assertion method outlined in, for example, [Parnas and Wang 1989]. These ideas include: o A formal mathematical theory of trace specifications which is independent of their intended application to module specification (Chapter 2). o Some ideas on presenting module specifications (Chapter 3). o A theory of trace specifications for dealing with modules that call other modules (Chapter 4). o Automata theoretic models for trace specifications of the sort defined in Chapter 4 (Chapter 5). o A theory of trace specifications for cases where deterministic automata are not suitable models (Chapter 6). **System Documentation Using Tables, CRL Report No. 306** These are lecture notes for a short course (five lectures) by Wilder and Tucker on tabular methods for system documentation that forms part of a second year undergraduate course on system development within the Department of Computer Science, University of Wales, Swansea, Wales. The topics covered are: tables in the real work; tables and the system design life cycle; four documentation problems (word processor, calculator, polyline and dialogue box); general tables, and tables of terms over algebras. We are keen to receive comments, suggestions and information on the material in these notes.