Subject: Re: State machine for "empty" agents
From: Reinhard Gotzhein (gotzhein#informatik.uni-kl.de)
Date: Thu May 31 2001 - 15:34:31 GMT
Dear All,
This is how the formal semantics handles the case: for each agent, a
"hierarchical inheritance state graph" is created. If an agent has no
state machine, that graph has just one node, which corresponds to a top
state partition with no sub structure. No transitions are associated
with that node, therefore, there is no behaviour apart from the creation
of contained agents (more precisely, contained agent set instances).
This means in particular that there is no stop action that would bring
that agent to a stopping mode. Only in a stopping mode, that agent can
cease to exist. Alternatives:
a) implicit state machine that has a start node with a stop action
b) direct semantics, i.e. moving to a stopping state after creation of
the contained agent set instances
Both solutions are straightforward from the formal semantics point of
view, but of different complexity: a) would require a transformation, b)
is a two-line change of the dynamic semantics.
Reinhard
On 31 May, Rick Reed wrote:
> Dear All,
>
> The following has arisen during ETSI STF188 work:
>
> The handling of a state machine and pid for an agent that has no explicit
> state machine and no state machine implied by remote procedures or variables
> etc., does not seem to be well-defined by Z.100.
>
> According to the abstract syntax it is possible for a agent to have no state
> machine. However, according to the definition of Create Request, the start
> node of the agent graph is interpreted and therefore it is assumed that
> there is a state machine.
This statement does not take the possibility that there may be no state
machine into account, and could be rephrased.
...
> I suggest that the state machine of block B enters the stopping condition as
> soon as it is created.
>
> I suggest to refine the definition of Create Request so that it interprets
> the Start Node - if there is one, or enters the stopping condition.
... after creation of the containted agent set instances ...
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