Canonical derivations with negative application conditions

Abstract

Using graph transformations to specify the dynamics of distributed systems and networks, we require a precise understanding of concurrency. Negative application conditions (NACs) are an essential means for controlling the application of rules, extending our ability to model complex systems. A classical notion of concurrency in graph transformation is based on shift equivalence and its representation by canonical derivations, i.e., normal forms of the shift operation anticipating independent steps. These concepts are lifted to graph transformation systems with NACs and it is shown that canonical derivations exist for so-called incremental NACs. © 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland.