Statechart DNA

We introduce and explore a new statechart (sc) abstraction method and define a simplified statechart (ssc) model. We study the basic building blocks (so the term `DNA') of UML sc models. Within this formal approach, we untangle the object-oriented concepts characterizing the UML. We treat triggers, guards and effects as related to each other, but make no reference to any explicit value (type) in the computation. This abstract approach allows us to introduce mathematical manipulations of UML sc, in line with the theory of regular automata. Statechart DNA has been applied in defining complexity metrics for UML sc models, the automatic generation of model test cases and behavior manipulations in CASE tool environments.

Publication year:2009