Refinement, conformance and inheritance

Abstract

This paper establishes a language-independent framework for class-based inheritance using a generic concept of refinement. The framework is then realised in the process algebra CSP. Class membership is expressed in terms of conformance to some relabelling of a distinguished process (the class template). The approach of the paper facilitates rigorous examination of informal concepts in object-oriented design, and suggests the possibility of introducing an appealing methodology into CSP.