This paper describes an algebraic data type specification language, called ADTS, and its associated rapid prototyping environment.ADTS is a specification and design language that supports constructivity and includes software engineering principles as modularity, parameterization and error and exception handling.Rapid prototyping provides a means for the early execution of specifications.In particular a translator that compiles constructive specifications into a high level language program and its associated environment is discussed.

Abstract This paper describes an exception detection and exception handling method for constructive algebraic specifications. A notation that supports exception handling is introduced. First, a safety function is provided for every sort. This function characterizes each object as being safe or unsafe. Secondly, axioms may contain markers that indicate when they are applicable. The proposed notation is a trade‐off between readability and capability to handle a large class of exceptional situations. The description of exception handling promotes a two‐step design method for constructive algebraic specifications. In a first step the specification is given with exception detection only; in a second step exception handling is superimposed.