volume_mute

Formal system development as a variant

publish date: 2026/05/28 22:08:32.653298 UTC

volume_mute

An important variant of the waterfall model is formal system development, where mathematical models and transformations are used.

Which statement best characterizes formal system development?

Only user interface prototypes are developed formally.

Code is written first and requirements are inferred later.

A mathematical specification is refined through correctness-preserving transformations into executable code.

Testing is the only activity that uses formal methods.

Correct Answer

A mathematical specification is refined through correctness-preserving transformations into executable code.

Explanation

Formal development starts from a mathematical model of the specification and uses formal transformations to derive code, supporting strong correctness arguments.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 9th edition

Quizzes you can take where this question appears

The Waterfall Model