Method and apparatus for generating an extended finite state machine

Abstract

A system and apparatus for generating an extended finite state machine (EFSM) from a specification expressed as a set of data relationships. The specification is written in a specification language designed for the purpose, and is parsed in a conventional fashion. The parsed specification is used as input to the method of the invention, which comprises routines for transforming it into an EFSM including states and transitions. The EFSM thus generated is used as input to a traversal procedure, for ultimately generating validation tests to verify the operation of an implementation of the specification, with one such test being generated for each path traversed through the EFSM. The traversal of the EFSM may be carried out in a conventional fashion or by using applicant's EFSM traversal method. The EFSM's transitions represent functions and test information, and the states represent the status of the EFSM at particular points, given the traversal of a particular path through the EFSM, i.e. the history of execution of the EFSM. Annotations are generated and correlated with the transitions, the annotations comprising value assignments, variable value partitions, input or other events, constraints on the execution of the EFSM, predicates acting as prerequisites for the traversal of their associated transitions, and test statements that will act to verify operation of the implementation when the validation tests are executed. Diagnostic function strings are generated as annotations to transitions, for outputting diagnostic statements reflecting the success or failure of the implementation upon execution of the validation tests.