Current modeling techniques are not well equipped to design dynamic software architectures. In this work we present the basic concepts for a dynamic architecture modeling using nets-within-nets. Netswithin-nets represent a powerful formalism that allows active elements, i.e. nets, to be nested in arbitrary and dynamically changeable hierarchies. Applying the concepts from nets-within-nets, therefore, allows us to model complex dynamic system architectures in a simple way, which enables us to design the system at different levels of abstractions using refinements of net models. Additionally to the conceptual modeling of such architecture, we provide a practical example where the concept has been successfully applied in the development of the latest release of Renew (Version 2 of the multiformalism Petri net IDE 1). The overall monolithic architecture has been exchanged with a system that is divided into a plug-in management system and plug-ins that provide functionality for the users. By combining plug-ins the system can be adapted to the users' needs. Through the introduction of the Petri net concepts, the new architecture is now-at runtime-dynamically extensible by registering plug-ins with the management system. The introduced architecture is applicable for any kind of architecture but most suitable for applications with dynamic structure.
Abstract. In this paper we introduce an approach for defining semantics for AUML agent interaction protocol diagrams using Petri net code structures. This approach is based on the usage of net components which provide basic tasks and the structure for Petri nets. Agent interaction protocol diagrams are used to model agent conversations on an abstract level. By mapping elements of the diagrams to net components we are able to translate the diagrams into Petri nets, i.e to generate code structures from the drawings. We provide tool support for this approach by combining a tool for net components with a tool for drawing agent interaction protocol diagrams. This combined tool is available as a plug-in for Renew (Reference Net Workshop).
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