The universe model: an approach for improving the modularity and reliability of concurrent programs

ABSTRACT

We present the universe model, a new approach to concurrency management that isolates concurrency concerns and represents them in the modular interface of a component. This approach improves program comprehension, module composition, and reliability for concurrent systems. The model is founded on designer-specified invariant properties, which declare a component's dependencies on other concurrent components. Process scheduling is then automatically derived from these invariants. We illustrate the advantages of this approach by applying it to a real-world example.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques
          Subjects: Modules and interfaces

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.1 PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES
      D.1.3 Concurrent Programming
          Subjects: Parallel programming
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.4 Software/Program Verification
          Subjects: Reliability; Assertion checkers
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.3 Language Constructs and Features
          Subjects: Concurrent programming structures

General Terms:
Design, Languages, Management, Reliability

Keywords:
component-based software engineering, distributed and parallel systems, reliability, software architecture