On a Process Algebraic Representation of Sequence Diagrams

Abstract

Sequence diagrams depict the interaction between entities as a sequence of messages arranged in a temporal order. However, they lack a formal execution semantics: the Unified Modeling Language (UML) specification opts to use natural language to describe fundamental concepts such as interaction operators that alter the behaviour of a fragment. Communicating Sequential Processes (CSP) is a process-algebraic formalism that is suited to modelling patterns of behavioural interaction. Moreover, the associated refinement checker, Failures-Divergence Refinement (FDR), gives rise to a practical approach that enables us to reason about these interactions in a formal setting. In this paper, we show how CSP and FDR have been used to provide a process-algebraic representation of sequence diagrams that is amenable to refinement-checking.

A contractual approach for the verification of UML2.0 software architectures

“…The formalisation of PSMs is implemented using the model transformation language ATL. Jacobs and Simpson (2014) propose to translate the UML sequence diagrams to a CSP formal specification verifiable by the FDR2 model-checker.…”

“…For the formalisation of the behavioural aspect of a UML2.0 componentQoS in Wright/CSP, we proposed to translate those PoSM state machines by the CSP process. This systematic formalisation is inspired by Ng and Butler (2003), Jacobs and Simpson (2014) and Dong et al (2008) binding, respectively, the state machine diagrams, the sequence diagrams and the activity diagrams to CSP. Specifically, we have offered to translate any state machine modelling the behaviour of a UML2.0 portQoS with a CSP process modelling the behaviour of the machine which models the Wright port corresponding to the Wright component.…”

On the formal interpretation and behavioural consistency checking of SysML blocks

“…The channel and datatype definitions are similar to those defined earlier. The provided and required receptions of the Controller and Arm blocks are shown below 11 . There is a clear correspondence between the CSP datatype definitions and the provided receptions of the SysML blocks.…”

“…The activity Extend is associated with the effect component of the transitions emanating from the idle state; the activity Magnetise represents the entry behaviour of the grasp state. Activities 11 The detailed block definition diagrams of other blocks are omitted in the interest of brevity. are shown in Figure 5.…”

“…This paper Xu et al [22,23] Bolton, Crichton and Davies [4,6] Abdelhalim et al [1,2] Initial With respect to future work, we plan to integrate the semantics of state machine and activity diagrams with that of sequence diagrams in a CSP framework that encompasses all behavioural diagrams of SysML. To this end, a formal semantics for sequence diagrams in terms of CSP has already been given in [11].…”