Process Algebra: Equational Theories of Communicating Processes

Presents a unified overview of the various process algebras currently in use and sets the standard for the field.

J. C. M. Baeten (Author), T. Basten (Author), M. A. Reniers (Author)

9780521820493, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 December 2009

476 pages, 65 b/w illus. 80 tables 345 exercises
23.5 x 15.8 x 3 cm, 0.802 kg

Process algebra is a widely accepted and much used technique in the specification and verification of parallel and distributed software systems. This book sets the standard for the field. It assembles the relevant results of most process algebras currently in use, and presents them in a unified framework and notation. The authors describe the theory underlying the development, realization and maintenance of software that occurs in parallel or distributed systems. A system can be specified in the syntax provided, and the axioms can be used to verify that a composed system has the required external behaviour. As examples, two protocols are completely specified and verified in the text: the Alternating-Bit Protocol for Data Communication, and Fischer's Protocol of Mutual Exclusion. The book serves as a reference text for researchers and graduate students in computer science, offering a complete overview of the field and referring to further literature where appropriate.

Preface
1. Process algebra
2. Preliminaries
3. Transition systems
4. Basic process theory
5. Recursion
6. Sequential processes
7. Parallel and communicating processes
8. Abstraction
9. Timing
10. Data and states
11. Features
12. Semantics
Bibliography
Index of symbols and notations
Index of authors
Index of subjects.

Subject Areas: Mathematical theory of computation [UYA]