What languages do you cover and what changes if a different target language is needed?

At present we have code generators for C++ and C#. We will shortly have support for Java and (Misra) C. We have plans to produce a VHDL code generator. Please contact us for the current situation. The choice of language is made in the ASD:ModelBuilder and can easily be changed – any ASD model can be output in either C++ or C# as the designer desires. The change is simply the language and the target runtime environment.

What are the run-time requirements for the generated code?

Generated code has a very few run-time requirements. The C++ code generator makes use of the standard Boost library. C# makes use of standard Microsoft run time support. For more specific information, please contact us.

What operating systems does ASD Support?

Most operating system that supports one of the aforementioned run-time environments. So far this has included Windows (different varieties), Linux (different varieties) and VxWorks.

How do you know that the generated code is correct?

Verum’s formal method experts use the latest mathematical techniques to verify that the semantics of ASD models are exactly the same as the semantics of the ASD code generators. This equivalence is at the heart of ASD technology. The syntax of the code generators is then subject to extremely careful inspection and testing using models designed to exercise all semantic and syntactical constructions.

Formal Methods for software development have remained nothing more than a laboratory curiosity for the last 20 years. Why is ASD different?

Traditional formal methods have suffered from three main problems:

1) They are not understandable by non formal methods experts, such as the customer;

2) they are in general more complicated and costly to apply than the problem they are trying to solve;

3) they are not scalable to real world systems. For this reason the application of traditional formal methods has largely been limited to safety critical systems.

ASD addresses these and many of the other problems associated with traditional formal methods:

1) by embedding all the difficult mathematics in the ASD:Suite and providing an easy-to-use desktop application, non formal methods experts can easily understand ASD designs;

2) ASD has been designed from the outset for industrial use, is easy to use, general purpose and extremely economic;

3) The mathematics underlying ASD, CSP, is compositional, meaning that ASD designs can be decomposed whilst retaining their mathematical integrity. This means that ASD can be used to design arbitrarily large real-world systems.

Why is the ASD:Suite implemented as a client-server  (hosted) solution?

Two reasons: firstly by implementing the ASD:Suite in this way Verum can offer the customer a completely scalable business model proportional to the use that they make of ASD. Ultimately this reduces the cost of adopting and using ASD. Secondly the ASD:ModelChecker is a computing intensive application. By running this application in hosted environment, Verum can ensure maximum performance and therefore maximum efficiency for the customer.

How do I know what charges I will need to pay when the solution is hosted?

You subscribe to the capacity you need and we provide clear management reports so you can see your actual usage. You can adjust your subscription as necessary and you can set limits on the usage to fit your budget.

How does your toolset work with established software development tools?

Verum’s tools are designed to work alongside other development tools but the fact that ASD produces defect-free code means that there is less emphasis on testing and more emphasis on specification and design.

What type of systems benefit the most from the application of ASD?

ASD provides the biggest win when applied to behaviourally complex software design problems. Examples include systems with complex state behaviour, complex error handling, inter-process communication, communication protocols or a combination of all of these things. If a system is purely sequential ASD offers little added value. But fortunately for us there are very few systems designed these days that are purely sequential.

Do you offer a software audit based on your techniques?

Our consultancy group is able to assesses the value you will get from ASD and your readiness to apply ASD in your development environment.

If you are so confident that there are errors in conventionally developed software, why not offer an “error-free or no fee” software development service?

ASD produces error free code and ensures your specification is complete. ASD does not take away the domain expertise required nor the need for software developers and architects to create good designs. In fact, we enhance their roles by ensuring they can apply correct design techniques through to the final product. Our objective is to help you use ASD:Suite to design better solutions, not to design them for you.

Will Verum be in business tomorrow?

Yes. We have been successful for the last five years. We have very strong financial backing and very large and influential customers. Further, Model Driven Development in general and ASD in particular is here to stay.

What relevance are Verum’s academic links?

ASD is based on the application of mathematics to the problems of software engineering. Our products are based on proven mathematical techniques developed in Universities and then translated by Verum into industrial strength solutions. Our links with academia provide a continuing source of new ideas that will feed the paradigm shift in software engineering created by ASD.