Combined Algebraic Specification Techniques for Concurrent and Distributed Systems

Abstract

Starting with an overview of techniques for process description on one hand and data type specifications on the other hand different combinations of both are discussed as specification techniques for concurrent and distributed systems. Two of these combined techniques are discussed in more detail. In the first case we start from Petri nets and algebraic specifications leading to algebraic high-level nets. These are high-level nets where data elements of an algebra are allowed as token on the places, and equations as constraints for the transitions. In the second case we start from basic process algebras, an axiomatic version of processes in the sense of Milner’s CCS, and the notion of projection spaces, an algebraic version of metric spaces. The combination of both with algebraic data type specifications leads to projection specifications, a recently developed algebraic specification technique for concurrent and distributed systems.