Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for managing a system specification. The method includes identifying a first system specification defined at a first refinement level where the first system specification includes specification data, generating a second system specification at a second refinement level where the second system specification inherits the specification data of the first system specification, modifying the inherited specification data of the second system specification, and storing the second system specification including the modified specification data.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for displaying a graphical representation of a graph including nodes and edges. A layout of the graph is determined. The layout of the graph is determined by determining respective positions of each of the nodes and edges within the layout. The position of each node is determined using a first model and, optionally, a second force model, wherein the first force model comprises a substantially linear repulsive force in a first region, a substantially exponential repulsive force in a second region, and an attractive force in a third region. In one embodiment, the position of each edge may be determined using the first force model. A graphical representation of the layout is generated. The graphical representation of the layout is displayed to one or more users.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for managing a system specification. The method includes identifying a first system specification defined at a first refinement level where the first system specification includes specification data, generating a second system specification at a second refinement level where the second system specification inherits the specification data of the first system specification, modifying the inherited specification data of the second system specification, and storing the second system specification including the modified specification data.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus supporting system specification creation by providing descriptor management functions. A method according to one embodiment of the invention includes receiving a request for descriptor information maintained in a descriptor dictionary comprising a plurality of descriptor entries defining a respective plurality of descriptors, determining a context associated with the request for descriptor information, retrieving a subset of the descriptor entries of the descriptor dictionary according to the determined context, and inserting into a presentation data stream imagery associated with the subset of descriptor entries to enable selection of one or more of the descriptor entries for insertion of the corresponding descriptor within a worksheet.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for displaying a graphical representation of a graph including nodes and edges. A layout of the graph is determined. The layout of the graph is determined by determining respective positions of each of the nodes and edges within the layout. The position of each node is determined using a first model and, optionally, a second force model, wherein the first force model comprises a substantially linear repulsive force in a first region, a substantially exponential repulsive force in a second region, and an attractive force in a third region. In one embodiment, the position of each edge may be determined using the first force model. A graphical representation of the layout is generated. The graphical representation of the layout is displayed to one or more users.