Communication and synchronisation using interaction objects

Abstract

In this paper we introduce a model of process communication and synchronisation, based on the concept of interaction objects. Interaction objects define an abstraction mechanism for concurrent access to data, based on a strict separation of process interaction and data access. Process interaction can be controlled by means of three basic interaction operators that operate on interaction objects. The interaction operators can be used to define various forms of communication and synchronisation including a general form of condition synchronisation. We define the concept of an interaction object and the interaction operators, and give examples of a number of interaction objects. Various aspects of interaction objects are discussed, such as the formal specification and implementation of interaction objects, and the verification of programs that use interaction objects.