The use of Petri Nets for Occam programming for transputers

There is undoubtedly a need for software-design tools for parallel programming. A main problem with design tools for parallel programming is their inability to check for liveness (no deadlock) and safeness. In this paper, the use of Ordinary Petri net as a software design tool for Occam Petri Net and Occam constructs are discussed. The similarities between Ordinary Petri Net and Occam constructs are highlighted, and an Occam Petri Net model is proposed as a design tool to aid in writing Occam codes. The Occam Petri Net model is graphical. It is capable of modelling deterministic concurrent and choice systems. As a top-down design, the net is similar to Occam ‘folds’, and, in its use in bottom-up implementation, it is similar to unfolding. This unfolding using the Occam Petri Net model makes writing Occam source codes easier. The availability of Petri Net CASE tools will make it more attractive for designing Occam programs.