Z notation

The Z notation (universally pronounced zed, named after Zermelo-Fränkel set theory) is a formal specification language used for describing and modelling computing systems. It is targeted at the clear specification of computer programs and the formulation of proofs about the intended program behavior.

Related Topics:
Zermelo-Fränkel set theory - Specification language - Computer programs

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Z was developed by the Programming Research Group at Oxford University in the late 1970s and is based on the standard mathematical notation used in axiomatic set theory, lambda calculus, and first-order predicate logic. All expressions in Z notation are typed, thereby avoiding some of the paradoxes of naive set theory. Z contains a standardized catalog (called the mathematical toolkit) of commonly used mathematical functions and predicates.

Related Topics:
Programming Research Group - Oxford University - Axiomatic set theory - Lambda calculus - First-order predicate logic - Paradox - Naive set theory

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Although Z notation uses many non-ASCII symbols, the specification includes suggestions for rendering the Z notation symbols in ASCII and in LaTeX.

Related Topics:
ASCII - LaTeX

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Z notation was used in the IBM CICS project.

Related Topics:
IBM - CICS

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