An open implementation for context-oriented layer composition in ContextJS

Context-oriented programming (COP) provides dedicated support for defining and composing variations to a basic program behavior. A variation, which is defined within a layer, can be de-/activated for the dynamic extent of a code block. While this mechanism allows for control flow-specific scoping, expressing behavior adaptations can demand alternative scopes. For instance, adaptations can depend on dynamic object structure rather than control flow. We present scenarios for behavior adaptation and identify the need for new scoping mechanisms. The increasing number of scoping mechanisms calls for new language abstractions representing them. We suggest to open the implementation of scoping mechanisms so that developers can extend the COP language core according to their specific needs. Our open implementation moves layer composition into objects to be affected and with that closer to the method dispatch to be changed. We discuss the implementation of established COP scoping mechanisms using our approach and present new scoping mechanisms developed for our enhancements to Lively Kernel.     

An Improvement of McMillan's Unfolding Algorithm

McMillan has recently proposed a new technique to avoid the state explosion problem in the verification of systems modelled with finite-state Petri nets. The technique requires to construct a finite initial part of the unfolding of the net. McMillan's algorithm for this task may yield initial parts that are larger than necessary (exponentially larger in the worst case). We present a refinement of the algorithm which overcomes this problem.     

时间Petri网弱语义模型的形式化分析

时间Petri网存在强语义和弱语义两种模型,弱语义模型更适合建模和分析外部环境触发的冲突选择问题,但其形式语义和可达性分析方面的研究,却很少有人问津。利用带标号的变迁系统定义时间Petri网弱语义模型的形式语义,采用时间戳状态类方法分析它的可达性,并证明了可达性问题的可判性和状态类时间戳的全局时间性质。     

Feasibility of piecewise-constant control sequences for timed continuous Petri nets

In this study, the determination of control actions for timed continuous Petri nets is investigated by the characterisation of attractive regions in marking space. In particular, attraction in finite time, which is important for practical issues, is considered. Based on the characterisation of attractive regions, the domain of admissible piecewise constant control actions is computed, and sufficient conditions to verify the feasibility of the control objectives are proposed. As a consequence, an iterative procedure is presented to compute piecewise constant control actions that correspond to local minimum time control for timed continuous Petri nets.     

Semantic analysis of program initialisation in genetic programming

Population initialisation in genetic programming is both easy, because random combinations of syntax can be generated straightforwardly, and hard, because these random combinations of syntax do not always produce random and diverse program behaviours. In this paper we perform analyses of behavioural diversity, the size and shape of starting populations, the effects of purely semantic program initialisation and the importance of tree shape in the context of program initialisation. To achieve this, we create four different algorithms, in addition to using the traditional ramped half and half technique, applied to seven genetic programming problems. We present results to show that varying the choice and design of program initialisation can dramatically influence the performance of genetic programming. In particular, program behaviour and evolvable tree shape can have dramatic effects on the performance of genetic programming. The four algorithms we present have different rates of success on different problems.

A component framework for system modeling based on high-level replacement systems

The aim of this paper is to present a generic component framework for system modeling that satisfies main requirements for component-based development in software engineering. In this sense, we have defined a framework that can be used, by providing an adequate instantiation, in connection with a large class of semi-formal and formal modeling techniques. Moreover, the framework is also flexible with respect to the connection of components, providing a compositional semantics of components. This means more precisely that the semantics of a system can be inferred from the semantics of its components. In contrast to other component concepts for data type specification techniques, our component framework is based on a generic notion of transformations. In particular, refinements and transformations are used to express intradependencies, between the export interface and the body of a component, and interdependencies, between the import and the export interfaces of different components. The generic component framework generalizes module concepts for different kinds of Petri nets and graph transformation systems proposed in the literature, and seems to be also suitable for visual modeling techniques, including parts of the UML, if these techniques provide a suitable refinement or transformation concept. In this paper the generic approach is instantiated in two steps. First to high-level replacement systems generalizing the transformation concept of graph transformations. In a second step it is further instantiated to low-level and high-level Petri nets. To show applicability we present sample components from a case study in the domain of production automation as proposed in a priority program of the German Research Council (DFG).     

A congruence relation for sPBC

In this paper we define a congruence relation for regular terms of sPBC (stochastic Petri Box Calculus), by means of which we identify those processes that have the same behaviour, not only in terms of the multiactions that they can perform, but also taking into account the stochastic information that they have associated. In order to define this equivalence relation we have to define an adequate semantics for the synchronization operator, as well as a new labelled transition system for regular terms of sPBC.     

基于混合编程的HPN仿真

混合Petri网（HPN）是离散事件和连续时间变量在同一层次的直接交互。其混合变迁规则较为复杂。既要考虑到离散部分与连续部分之间的相互影响，又要考虑到连续标识和离散标识之间的相互转化，所以如果选用单一语言来对混合Petri网进行仿真，难度高，编程量大，开发周期长，针对这一现象。该文提出混合编程的思想。即充分发挥不同编程语言的优势来仿真混合Petri网。该文采用了Matlab与Vc＋＋混合编程的方法来进行混合Petri网的仿真，此种方法可以很好的实现对混合Petri网的仿真，并通过混合变迁规则来验证所建HPN模型的正确性。而且由于混编的应用大大减少了编程工作量，缩短了开发周期。最后针对一个蒸发过程进行实例研究。     

Identification of Petri Nets from Knowledge of Their Language

In this paper we deal with the problem of identifying a Petri net system, given a finite language generated by it. First we consider the problem of identifying a free labeled Petri net system, i.e., all transition labels are distinct. The set of transitions and the number of places is assumed to be known, while the net structure and the initial marking are computed solving an integer programming problem. Then we extend this approach in several ways introducing additional information about the model (structural constraints, conservative components, stationary sequences) or about its initial marking. We also treat the problem of synthesizing a bounded net system starting from an automaton that generates its language. Finally, we show how the approach can also be generalized to the case of labeled Petri nets, where two or more transitions may share the same label. In particular, in this case we impose that the resulting net system is deterministic. In both cases the identification problem can still be solved via an integer programming problem.

基于随机对象Petri网的柔性制造系统性能分析

为了增强传统对象Petri网的定量分析能力,提出随机对象Petri网模型。该模型具备随机性和层次特性,获得与随机Petri网的等价关系,从宏观和微观2个层面对系统进行性能分析,并将该模型应用到柔性制造系统中。实验结果表明,该系统保留了面向对象的建模能力,具有较强的定量分析能力。     

Synchronization models for multimedia presentation with user participation

This paper addresses the key issue of providingflexible multimedia presentation with user participation and suggests synchronization models that can specify the user participation during the presentation. We study models like the Petrinet-based hypertext model and the object composition Petri nets (OCPN). We suggest adynamic timed Petri nets structure that can model pre-emptions and modifications to the temporal characteristics of the net. This structure can be adopted by the OCPN to facilitate modeling of multimedia synchronization characteristics with dynamic user participation. We show that the suggested enhancements for the dynamic timed Petri nets satisfy all the properties of the Petri net theory. We use the suggested enhancements to model typical scenarios in a multimedia presentation with user inputs.     

Petri Nets as Semantic Domain for Diagram Notations

This paper summarizes the work carried out by the authors during the last years. It proposes an approach for defining extensible and flexible formal interpreters for diagram notations based on high-level timed Petri nets.The approach defines interpreters by means of two sets of rules. The first set specifies the correspondences between the elements of the diagram notation and those of the semantic domain (Petri nets); the second set transforms events and states of the semantic domain into visual annotations on the elements of the diagram notation. The feasibility of the approach is demonstrated through MetaEnv, a prototype tool that allows users to implement special-purpose interpreters.     

混合语义时间Petri网的特征条件及时间性质

针对时间Petri网现有强、弱语义模型在调度分析上存在的缺陷以及凝练调度一致性问题和调度时限性问题,提出混合语义模型解决方案,并给出混合语义模型的特征条件,比较混合语义模型与强、弱语义模型的时间互模拟能力,证明混合语义模型的正确性和时间行为的不可替代性。     

Optimal stationary behavior for a class of timed continuous Petri nets

In this paper, we consider a deterministic timed continuous Petri net model where conflicts at places are solved by using stationary routing parameters. We show how to compute the stationary firing rate for all transitions via linear programming, so as to determine the optimal routing parameters that maximize user-defined linear functions of the firing rates. Finally, we discuss the relations with discrete Petri nets.     

调度问题的HPN模型研究

本文介绍了层次Ｐｅｔｒｉ网模型（ＨＰＮ）的概念。层次Ｐｅｔｒｉ网的特点在于它不仅可以在某一层次上模拟系统的局部行为，而且还可以通过一定的关联机制来表现系统的整体特性。本文还通过研究调度问题的ＨＰＮ模型，探讨了如何应用ＨＰＮ来分析调度问题，为进一步研究调试方法提供了基础。     

Tutorial and Survey Articles: An introduction to Petri Nets

This paper describes the fundamental concepts and characteristics of Petri nets (PNs) that make them a significant tool for modeling and analyzing asynchronous systems with concurrent and parallel activities and follows the extensions that improved the implementation capabilities of the original PNs.

Their first and most relevant extension was time modeling, a vital aspect of system performances not considered in the original version. There are several possibilities for introducing time in PNs. Among them, a technique that associates time with places is presented in some detail. As PNs tend to become cumbersome and time consuming when large and complex systems are involved, a method for decomposing timed PNs of open queuing networks is reviewed here.

Though initially developed as an information/computer-based technique, PNs were immediately adopted in a variety of application areas, such as manufacturing, design, planning and control. Viewed through a more recently developed programming perspective, the ordinary PNs became “high level” PNs suitable for defining different data types and for applying hierarchical approaches.

It is expected that the robust theoretical basis of this tool coupled with its visual and flexibility features will continue to appeal to researchers and practitioners alike in a variety of domains and as a result will continue to evolve and expand.     

Abstract processes of place/transition systems

A well-known problem in Petri net theory is to formalise an appropriate causality-based concept of process or run for place/transition systems. The so-called individual token interpretation, where tokens are distinguished according to their causal history, giving rise to the processes of Goltz and Reisig, is often considered too detailed. The problem of defining a fully satisfying more abstract concept of process for general place/transition systems has so-far not been solved. In this paper, we recall the proposal of defining an abstract notion of process, here called BD-process, in terms of equivalence classes of Goltz-Reisig processes, using an equivalence proposed by Best and Devillers. It yields a fully satisfying solution for at least all one-safe nets. However, for certain nets which intuitively have different conflicting behaviours, it yields only one maximal abstract process. Here we identify a class of place/transition systems, called structural conflict nets, where conflict and concurrency due to token multiplicity are clearly separated. We show that, in the case of structural conflict nets, the equivalence proposed by Best and Devillers yields a unique maximal abstract process only for conflict-free nets. Thereby BD-processes constitute a simple and fully satisfying solution in the class of structural conflict nets.     

TCPN的状态可达及可调度决策空间算法

Ｔｓａｉ等提出了时间限制Ｐｅｔｒｉ，并讨论了变迁可激活，可调度规律及其计算公式。然而，由于网拓扑和动态的复杂性，某些概念的逻辑关系及公式有矛盾。本文通过引入调度决策变量，动态标记准确地刻画调度规律，修正澄清了Ｔｓａｉ文中的问题，完善了ＴＣＰＮ的调度分析。另外，讨论了ＴＣＰＮ沿含有失败变迁激活路径的调度问题。