Use of GSPNs for Concurrent Software Validation in EPOCA

We discuss the main issues related to the use of the Generalized Stochastic Petri Nets (GSPN) formalism for computer supported concurrent software comprehension and validation. A GSPN-based approach is currently under investigation in the EPOCA Project, based on the integration of the DIStributed C development system with the GreatSPN tool for editing and analysis of GSPN models. 1 Introduction Validation represents a major problem in the development of concurrent software systems. Validating a concurrent application is the task of assuring that some desired properties hold for it, covering both qualitative (e.g.: correctness, absence of failures) and quantitative (performance) aspects. Usually, a concurrent program consists of several processes, which execute concurrently and interact using communication and synchronization primitives. Except for the case of programs characterized by very regular process interaction structures, the number and the complexity of the potential interacti..