Petri nets |
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The Petri nets group (see logo
on the left) defines Petri nets as follows:
Petri Nets: a formal,
graphical,
executable technique for the
specification and
analysis of
concurrent,
discrete-event dynamic systems;
a technique undergoing
standardisation.
Petri nets derive their name from the inventor of this tool: Prof. Carl Adam Petri. |
Prof. Carl Adam Petri |
| Formal:
The technique is mathematically well-defined. Many
static and dynamic properties of a Petri net (and hence a system
specified using the technique) may be mathematically proven.
Graphical: The technique belongs to a branch of mathematics called graph theory. A Petri net may be represented graphically as well as mathematically. The ability to visualise structure and behaviour of a Petri net promotes understanding of the modelled system. Software tools exist which support graphical construction and visualisation. Executable: A Petri net may be executed and the dynamic behaviour observed graphically. Software tools exist which automate execution. Specification: System requirements expressed and verified (by formal analysis) using the technique constitute a formal system specification. Analysis: System specification is often an iterative process, with requirements initially poorly understood or ill-defined. A specification in the form of a Petri net model may be formally analysed against static and dynamic system requirements. Visual feedback from the Petri net graph at each iteration of the specification increases understanding of the requirements, highlights errors in the model (or sometimes the requirements) and results in rapid convergence on a mathematically correct and consistent specification. Software tools exist which support and automate analysis. Concurrent: The representation of multiple independent dynamic entities within a system is supported naturally by the technique, making it highly suitable for capturing systems which exhibit concurrency, e.g., multi-agent systems, distributed databases, client-server networks and modern telecommunications systems. Discrete event dynamic system: a system which may change state over time, based on current state and state-transition rules, and where each state is separated from its neighbour by a step rather than a continuum of intermediate infinitesimal states. Often falling into this classification are information systems, operating systems, networking protocols, banking systems, business processes and telecommunications systems. |
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All that you would ever want to know about : Petri nets Algologic Research & Solutions Dr. S. Parthasarathy is listed in the official who's who of Petri nets. |
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