A Method for Matching Patterns Based on Event Semantics with Requirements.

A system specification is written in a natural language, while a formal specification is useful for discovering faults by using formal techniques, such as model checking. Consequently, analysis techniques based on natural language processing are desirable for translating system specifications into formal specifications. The matching system specifications with formal specifications is the necessary stage when extracting formal specifications. However, a generic and accurate matching method has not yet been established. In this paper, we propose a pattern matching method for identifying the specification of sentences. Specifically, we constructed a semantic analyzer that transforms sentences into logical expressions that entail patterns based on event semantics. We also applied pattern matching to practical requirement statements. Based on the simple pattern matching, all sentences entailed several patterns. The results of the entailment recognition showed that it was possible to distinguish between sentences that represent the state transition and those that do not. The results are valid for formal specifications.