An Operational Semantics of Firing Rules
	   for Structured Analysis Style Data Flow Diagrams
				  by
      Gary T. Leavens, Tim Wahls, Albert L. Baker, and Kari Lyle
				   
			       Abstract

Using operational semantic techniques, an extended variant of
structured analysis style data flow diagrams is given a formal
semantics.  This semantics allows one to describe both how information
is processed and the dynamic behavior of the system.  The ability to
describe dynamic behavior is an extension to the traditional notion of
data flow diagrams.  This semantics can serve as a target for giving
meaning to specification languages that use a graphical notation
similar to data flow diagrams.

Keywords: structured analysis, data flow diagram, operational
semantics, formal specification, firing rule, store.

1993 CR Categories:
D.2.1 [Software Engineering]
	 Requirements/Specifications -- languages, methodologies, tools;
D.2.2 [Software Engineering]
	 Tools and Techniques -- structured analysis, data flow diagrams,
D.2.10 [Software Engineering]
	 Design -- methodologies, representation;
D.3.1 [Programming Languages]
	 Formal Definitions and Theory -- semantics, syntax;
F.3.2 [Logics and Meanings of Programs]
	Specifying and Verifying and Reasoning about Programs --
	specification techniques;
F.3.2 [Logics and Meanings of Programs]
	 Semantics of Programming Languages -- operational semantics.