Statecharts: A Visual Formalism For Complex Systems
đź“ś Abstract
A broad extension of the conventional formalism of state machines and state diagrams, relevant to the specification and design of complex discrete-event systems, such as multi-computer real-time systems, communication protocols, and digital control units. The basic idea is to replace the timing element of state machines with a set of control states that relate to the system being modelled.
✨ Summary
The paper titled “Statecharts: A Visual Formalism For Complex Systems” by David Harel, published in 1987, introduces the concept of Statecharts. These extend the conventional state machine and state diagram formalisms to better handle the specification and design of complex discrete-event systems. This extended formalism is particularly useful for modeling systems like multi-computer real-time systems, communication protocols, and digital control units. By introducing a hierarchical and concurrent representation, Statecharts facilitate the modeling of complex system dynamics.
Statecharts have significantly impacted both research and industry by providing a robust framework for modeling complex systems. This formalism has been widely adopted in software engineering, especially in the design and analysis of reactive and embedded systems. In research, Statecharts have influenced numerous studies on model-driven architecture and systems modeling. For instance, a key influence of Statecharts is evident in the development of the Unified Modeling Language (UML), where the state machine diagrams directly draw from Harel’s Statecharts [1]. The paper has also been cited in works related to enhancing model consistency and supporting formal verification processes.
References: 1. OMG Unified Modeling Language (UML), Superstructure, V2.4.1, August 2011. OMG UML 2.4.1