Publication
Title
Model consistency as a heuristic for eventual correctness
Author
Abstract
Inconsistencies between stakeholders' views pose a severe challenge in the engineering of complex systems. The past decades have seen a vast number of sophisticated inconsistency management techniques being developed. These techniques build on the common idea of "managing consistency instead of removing inconsistency", as put forward by Finkelstein. While it is clear what and how to do about inconsistencies, it is less clear why inconsistency is particularly useful. After all, it is the correctness of the system that should matter, as correctness is the end-user-facing quality of the product. In this paper, we analyze this question by investigating the relationship between (in)consistency and (in)correctness. We formally prove that, contrary to intuition, consistency does not imply correctness. However, consistency is still a good heuristic for eventual correctness. We elaborate on the consequences of this assertion and provide pointers as to how to make use of it in the next generation of inconsistency management techniques.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of Computer Languages. - -
Publication
2023
ISSN
2590-1184 [online]
DOI
10.1016/J.COLA.2023.101223
Volume/pages
76 (2023) , p. 1-13
Article Reference
101223
ISI
001048017300001
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 02.10.2023
Last edited 25.04.2024
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