Rely-guarantee protocols for safe interference over shared memory

Mutable state can be useful in certain algorithms, to structure programs, or for efficiency purposes. However, when shared mutable state is used in non-local or nonobvious ways, the interactions that can occur via aliases to that shared memory can be a source of program errors. Undisciplined uses of shared state may unsafely interfere with local reasoning as other aliases may interleave their changes to the shared state in unexpected ways. We propose a novel technique, rely-guarantee protocols, that structures the interactions between aliases and ensures that only safe interference is possible. We present a linear type system outfitted with our novel sharing mechanism that enables controlled interference over shared mutable resources. Each alias is assigned separate, local roles encoded in a protocol abstraction that constrains how an alias can legally use that shared state. By following the spirit of rely-guarantee reasoning, our rely-guarantee protocols ensure that only safe interference can occur but still allow many interesting uses of shared state, such as going beyond invariant and monotonic usages. This thesis describes the three core mechanisms that enable our type-based technique to work: 1) we show how a protocol models an alias’s perspective on how the shared state evolves and constrains that alias’s interactions with the shared state; 2) we show how protocols can be used while enforcing the agreed interference contract; and finally, 3) we show how to check that all local protocols to some shared state can be safely composed to ensure globally safe interference over that shared memory. The interference caused by shared state is rooted at how the uses of di↵erent aliases to that state may be interleaved (perhaps even in non-deterministic ways) at run-time. Therefore, our technique is mostly agnostic as to whether this interference was the result of alias interleaving caused by sequential or concurrent semantics. We show implementations of our technique in both settings, and highlight their di↵erences. Because sharing is “first-class” (and not tied to a module), we show a polymorphic procedure that enables abstract compositions of protocols. Thus, protocols can be specialized or extended without requiring specific knowledge of the interference produce by other protocols to that state. We show that protocol composition can ensure safety even when considering abstracted protocols. We show that this core composition mechanism is sound, decidable (without the need for manual intervention), and provide an algorithm implementation.

Wave4IOPT - editor e visualizador web de formas de onda – aplicação a controladores digitais especificados com modelos de Redes de Petri IOPT

Este trabalho tem o objectivo de criar um Editor e Visualizador Web de Formas de Onda para controladores digitais especificados com modelos Redes de Petri Input-Output Place-Transition (IOPT). Após uma análise das ferramentas existentes e constatando-se a inexistência de uma ferramenta adequada a essa função, desenvolveu-se uma ferramenta denominada Wave4IOPT, que permite a visualização das formas de onda de sinais e eventos de entrada e de saída ao longo do tempo. A ferramenta permite também a visualização dos resultados do histórico de uma simulação de uma Rede de Petri IOPT, proveniente do Simulador das IOPT-Tools. Esta ferramenta incorpora funcionalidades de edição, modos de visualização e um módulo básico de identificação e correcção de erros dos valores das formas de onda. O Wave4IOPT está disponível a partir de um browser e prevê-se que venha a estar integrado no ambiente de ferramentas IOPT-Tools. Esta ferramenta foi construída utilizando tecnologias Web como HTML, JavaScript, CSS, SVG e JSON. Adicionalmente, o Wave4IOPT poderá também servir para a edição, visualização e análise de outros tipos de sinais digitais, desde que sejam preenchidos os requisitos da estrutura do ficheiro JSON que será lido pela ferramenta.

How to reduce the causes of call center contact by implementing web self-service at Sonae MC?

This project aims to provide feasible solutions to improve customer´s Help Area at Continente Online. The goal is to increase satisfaction and loyalty by reducing the main causes that lead customers to appeal to Call Center or abandon the website. The pursued solution is the implementation of Web Self-Service and the vision taken is focused not only on providing customers basic help tools but also innovate with international best practices to sustain Sonae MC´s present and future market leader position. Customer´s feedback, costs and impact are taken in consideration to find the best fit for the company.