Formal Language and Application

eb is a trace-based formal language created for the specification of information systems (IS). In this technical report, we present the eb formal language for attribute definitions. Attributes, linked to entities and associations of an IS, are computed in eb by recursive functions on the valid traces of the system. The syntax and the main properties of the language are introduced. Then, we aim at synthesizing imperative programs that correspond to eb attribute definitions. Thus, each eb action is translated into a transaction. eb attribute definitions are analysed to determine the tables and the key values affected by each action. Some key values are determined from SELECT statements that correspond to first-order predicates in eb attribute definitions. To avoid inconsistencies because of the sequencing of SQL statements in the transactions, temporary variables and/or tables are introduced for these key values. We show the main patterns for the SELECT statements used in the temporary variables and/or tables. The SQL statements are then ordered by table. Generation of DELETE statements is straightforward, and tests are defined in the transactions to distinguish updates from insertions of tuples. Our algorithms are illustrated by an example of a library management system. Finally, we briefly present the tool called ebtg, which implements the algorithms introduced in this report. 2 F. Gervais, M. Frappier, R. Laleau, and P. Batanado