We define an algebraic theory of hierarchical graphs, whose axioms
characterise graph isomorphism: two terms are equated exactly when
they represent the same graph. Our algebra can be understood as
a high-level language for describing graphs with a node-sharing, embedding
structure, and it is then well suited for defining graphical
representations of software models where nesting and linking are key
aspects. In particular, we propose the use of our graph formalism as a
convenient way to describe configurations in process calculi equipped
with inherently hierarchical features such as sessions, locations, transactions,
membranes or ambients. The graph syntax can be seen as an
intermediate representation language, that facilitates the encodings of
algebraic specifications, since it provides primitives for nesting, name
restriction and parallel composition. In addition, proving soundness
and correctness of an encoding (i.e. proving that structurally equivalent
processes are mapped to isomorphic graphs) becomes easier as it can
be done by induction over the graph syntax
