Towards a formalization of UML class structures in Z

There is much interest in developing a rm semantic basis for object-oriented modeling concepts. By providing precise characterizations of object-oriented (OO) modeling concepts one gains the ability to build precise OO models of behavior and structure that can be rigorously analyzed. In this paper we present the current results of our ongoing formalization of the Uniied Modeling Language (UML). UML is a proposed common OO modeling language, thus it is important that it have a formally deened semantic base. The focus of this paper is the formalization of the primary UML constructs used to build class structures. We use the Z notation to precisely express the meaning of UML class structures.