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Open Systems

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On Conceptual Modelling

Part of the book series: Topics in Information Systems ((TINF))

Abstract

This chapter describes some problems and opportunities associated with conceptual modelling for the kind of “open systems” we foresee developing in the future. Computer applications will be based on communication between subsystems that will have been developed separately and independently. Some of the reasons for independent development are: competition, economics, geographical distribution, and diverse goals and responsibilities. We must deal with all the problems that arise, from conceptual disparities. Subsystems will be open-ended and incremental — undergoing continual evolution. There are no global objects. The only thing that all the various subsystems hold in common is the ability to communicate with each other. Message Passing Semantics is a methodology that we are developing to deal with highly parallel, distributed, open systems. Various aspects of this methodology deal with communication, description, transaction management, problem solving, change, completeness, and self-knowledge.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

    Carl Hewitt & Peter de Jong

Authors
  1. Carl Hewitt
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  2. Peter de Jong
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Corporation of America, Four Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA

    Michael L. Brodie

  2. Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A7, Canada

    John Mylopoulos

  3. Fachbereich Informatik, Universität Frankfurt, Dantestr. 9, 6000, Frankfurt, Germany

    Joachim W. Schmidt

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© 1984 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

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Hewitt, C., de Jong, P. (1984). Open Systems. In: Brodie, M.L., Mylopoulos, J., Schmidt, J.W. (eds) On Conceptual Modelling. Topics in Information Systems. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5196-5_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5196-5_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9732-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-5196-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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