Abstract

Using operational semantic techniques, we present a formal semantics for an extended variant of structured analysis style data flow diagrams. This semantics is intended to serve as a semantic foundation for many different specification languages that specify concurrent systems using a graphical notation similar to data flow diagrams. Besides allowing one to specify how information is processed, it allows one to specify the dynamic behavior of a concurrent system. We discuss various semantic issues, including the need for a two-step firing rule and how the semantics supports the notion of refinement.

Citations