On refinement of generic software components

On refinement of generic software components (preprint)
M. Sun and L. S. Barbosa. In Rettray, C. and Maharaj, S. and Shankland, C., editors, AMAST'04 (10th Int. Conf. on Algebraic Methods and Software Technology), Stirling, Scotland, (Best Student Co-authored Paper Award), Springer Lect. Notes in Comp. Sci., 3116, pp 506--520, July, 2004.

Abstract

This paper characterizes refinement of state-based software components modelled as pointed coalgebras for some Set endofunctors. The proposed characterization is parametric on a specification of the underlying behaviour model introduced as a strong monad. This provides a basis to reason about (and transform) state-based software designs.

Note: Revised journal version here