Abstract :
Coloured Petri nets (CPN) is a formalism which extends ordinary Petri nets by adding data types and modularity. This means that is possible to make succinct, readable and structured models. The CPN models may be investigated by means of simulation. However, the models may also be validated by a number of mathematical analysis techniques, such as state graphs and invariants. The modelling, simulation and analysis by means of CPN are supported by a set of commercially available computer tools called Design/CPN. CPN models have been used in a large range of different application areas, some of which are listed. Design/CPN uses the functional programming language Standard ML to specify data types, functions and data manipulations. 12 properties of CPN are presented
