Programming coordinated behavior in java

Abstract

Following the scenario-based approach to programming which centered around live sequence charts (LSCs), we propose a general approach to software development in Java. A program will consist of modules called behavior threads (b-threads ), each of which independently describes a scenario that may cross object boundaries. We identify a protocol and a coordination mechanism that allow such behavioral programming. Essentially, runs of programs are sequences of events that result from three kinds of b-thread actions: requesting that events be considered for triggering, waiting for triggered events, and blocking events requested by other b-threads. The coordination mechanism synchronizes and interlaces b-threads execution yielding composite, integrated system behavior. The protocol idioms and the coordination mechanism of b-threads are implemented as a Java library called BPJ. Throughout the exposition we illustrate benefits of the approach and discuss the merits of behavioral programming as a broad, implementation-independent paradigm. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.