Formalizing the design of a collaborative system by Petri nets

Abstract

Collaboration on computer systems is totally different from that in face-to-face environment. Even though scientists are working hard to provide systems that provide virtual environment to make it easy, there are requirements for collaborators to know the basic model and basic working modes of collaborative systems. This paper will concisely introduce OMCS (Object Model for Collaborative Systems) that is a previously-composed collaborative system object model. Then, it discusses the basic components of ordinary collaborative systems. By discussing possible choices for different components of this model, we demonstrate the design of a collaborative system called Multimedia Co-Authoring System (MCAS). In the discussion of MCAS system, Petri nets are used to describe the dynamic properties. By these Petri nets, we can also know the basic working modes of collaboration on such collaborative systems. From this practice, this paper concludes that Petri nets can provide a uniform environment for modeling, formal analysis and design of systems. They can be used to describe and check errors for a system design.