SDL (Specification and Description Language) is a modern, high-level programming language intended for the description of complex, event-driven, real-time and communicating systems. SDL was originally designed to describe performance-critical, real-time systems with precision and accuracy, and, if used correctly, it can significantly enhance the performance of system designs. This text is unique in the integration between performance and design issues, describing the specific problems encountered when specifying, designing and implementing communication systems with SDL, and offers experience-b.

SDL (Specification and Description Language) is a modern, high-level programming language intended for the description of complex, event-driven, real-time and communicating systems. SDL was originally designed to describe performance-critical, real-time systems with precision and accuracy, and, if used correctly, it can significantly enhance the performance of system designs. This text is unique in the integration between performance and design issues, describing the specific problems encountered when specifying, designing and implementing communication systems with SDL, and offers experience-based advice and solutions. Other topics covered include * Navigating through complex design processes * Strategies for deriving efficient implementations from SDL descriptions * The latest version of SDL, SDL-2000 Systems Engineering with SDL also includes a CD-ROM containing a demonstration version of Telelogic's SDL design suite 'Tau' - the market leading SDL design tool which further reinforces the comprehensive integration between theory and practice. Written by a former system architect at Alcatel who currently serves on the ITU standards body for SDL, responsible for the development of performance and time aspects of the standard, this valuable reference resource is principally of use to practitioners using SDL to develop communicating systems, communication protocols, distributed systems, embedded systems, especially systems architects, development engineers and tool builders making strategic design decisions. However, the comprehensive coverage and concise and practical style make this text also applicable to students on graduate level courses on protocol engineering, communication systems engineering and distributed systems.

CCITT (now ITU-T) Specification and Description Language (SDL) and systems engineering (formal and informal) in SDL are considered in this publication. The latest version of the language, SDL-92 [ITU Z.100 SDL-92] is introduced. The book has been written for existing and potential users of SDL - technologists involved in the specification and engineering of systems. It offers easier learning, through examples and application, than the Z.100 Recommendation of March 1993, which gives precise technical definitions and concepts. The book has sufficient coverage of the language so that for normal use it should not be necessary to consult Z.100. For this reason, the grammars, both textual and graphical, are included, and the index makes it possible to find text on most of the language mechanisms. Chapter 1 provides an overview of specification and design of telecommunication systems. It considers the usage and scope of SDL. Chapter 2 gives an overview of the language, with an introduction of the major language elements. Chapter 3 focuses on the specification of behaviour and the information interchange between processes. Chapter 4 covers the structuring of systems in terms of instances, how these may be defined by types and how types may be organised in type/subtype hierarchies by inheritance. Parameterised types and packages of type definitions are also covered. Chapter 5 presents the part of the language that provides data types, with emphasis placed on how to use predefined data types. Chapter 6 presents the use of SDL for system engineering, with a discussion of general systems engineering principles followed by an introduction to methodologies which use SDL. The use of other languages in combination with SDL, documentation issues, naming and other lexical rules, errors and language support are considered, since they are more relevant to the use of language in engineering than when initially learning the language.

SDL (the Specification and Description Language for Telecommunication Systems) has evolved into a fully-fledged tool for the specification of telecommunication (sub-)systems, and is proving its fitness for major applications. The current (1988) version, the subject of this book, is used in the specification of the Functional Reference Model for Integrated Broadband Communication being studied in RACE, the European Community R&D programme in Telecommunications. For the many potential users of SDL, whether in industry or in the operating companies, this book should be of great practical value. By using worked examples from actual telecommunications engineering practice, and by explaining conceptual choices as they are made, it will enable students to learn the many features of the language in coherent combinations, and thus inspire correct usage from an engineering point of view. I congratulate the authors on their initiative and wish their readers success in mastering this invaluable addition to the tools-of-the-trade. From the preface by Rudolf W. Meijer, Commission of the European Communities Directorate General Telecommunications, Information Industries and Innovation

SDL 92 is the recognized international standard language for designing and specifying telecommunications systems, and is increasingly also used for RAD, real-time, interactive applications. This is the first complete introduction and reference to SDL for both novices and experienced system engineers. The book begins with an overview of basic SDL concepts, structure and syntax. It introduces SDL abstract data types, the SDL interpretation model, and shows how to specify protocols with SDL. All professional systems engineers, programmers and students of system development working in telecommunications, real-time, interactive and distributed systems.

Designed to help readers master the complexity of distributed real-time systems, this volume concentrates on the methodology involved--showing the step-by-step development of a common system example--from requirements through functional design and implementation design, to implementation, testing, and reuse.

SDL (the Specification and Description Language for Telecommunication Systems) has evolved into a fully-fledged tool for the specification of telecommunication (sub-)systems, and is proving its fitness for major applications. The current (1988) version, the subject of this book, is used in the specification of the Functional Reference Model for Integrated Broadband Communication being studied in RACE, the European Community R&D programme in Telecommunications. For the many potential users of SDL, whether in industry or in the operating companies, this book should be of great practical value. By using worked examples from actual telecommunications engineering practice, and by explaining conceptual choices as they are made, it will enable students to learn the many features of the language in coherent combinations, and thus inspire correct usage from an engineering point of view. I congratulate the authors on their initiative and wish their readers success in mastering this invaluable addition to the tools-of-the-trade. From the preface by Rudolf W. Meijer, Commission of the European Communities Directorate General Telecommunications, Information Industries and Innovation