1.1 Attributes for Software Modeling

• notation for mathematics
• rich set of primitive operations
• rich set of primitive data structures
• exact and inexact arithmetic
• higher level functions
• concise expressive power
• interactive environment
• freely available on a variety of computing systems

A modeling language needs a wide variety of functions. These include the classical functions of mathematics as well as functions for creating and manipulating data structures and functions which perform exact as well as inexact arithmetic. A successful modeling language will allow the expression of higher level functions (operators defined on function domains which produce function results) and treat functions as first class data items.

Ordinary mathematical notation provides economical expression of powerful ideas such as $\int_{a}^{b} f(x)dx$, $\lim_{n \to \infty} x_{i}$ or $\sum_{i=1}^{n}x_{i}$. A successful modeling language should be able to express powerful abstractions of mathematics and computer science.

Finally, modern computer science lecture halls and laboratory rooms have elaborate computer driven, large-screen displays. A modeling language should allow an interactive environment so that an instructor can write the language as one would write equations or diagrams on a white board.