Natural-language-based development of information systems

We attempt to determine the rightful roles for natural and formal languages in the development of information systems. In so doing we address three issues. First, we give a set of guidelines for reducing ambiguity in the writing of natural language requirements. Second, we consider domain modeling in terms of patterns defined in natural language, and relate requirements, domain models and formal specifications. Third, we relate domain modeling to our earlier work on queries as a means of constructing conceptual models.