Behavioural Models

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This textbook introduces the foundations of modelling and analysing discrete dynamic systems, including computer programs, software and hardware systems, and business processes. It covers key concepts and concrete modelling techniques such as finite automata, state machines, and Petri nets, with a focus on practical application scenarios, particularly in business processes. The book is divided into three parts. The first part lays the groundwork for behavioural modelling, introducing transition systems as a formalism for representing discrete dynamic system behaviour and discussing causality as a crucial concept for understanding behaviour. The second part, the core of the book, delves into models of behaviour, detailing sequential and concurrent systems, and introducing finite automata, state machines, and various Petri nets. A dedicated chapter explores business process models, workflow patterns, and BPMN, the industry standard for business process modelling. The final part examines how to analyse system behaviour, introducing state spaces and covering behaviour comparison, as well as the formal analysis and verification of behavioural models. This book is aimed at computer science and software engineering students, as well as programmers and system analysts, guiding them from fundamental concepts to advanced techniques for modelling and analysing systems in real-world scenarios.