A formal framework for the specification, analysis and generation of standardized hypermedia documents

Abstract

Proposes a formal framework for the specification, analysis and generation of standardized hypermedia documents. This framework is based on the hierarchical time stream Petri net (HTSPN) model adapted to the specification of temporal and logical constraints in distributed hypermedia systems. The interpreted HTSPN model presented in the paper allows the accurate and unambiguous specification of hypermedia documents. Moreover, it permits powerful analysis techniques to be applied for insuring the quality of hypermedia documents. It is important for a HTSPN specification to be stored, exchanged and presented within open hypermedia systems. Therefore, a procedure for translating interpreted HTSPN specification into an MHEG (Multimedia and Hypermedia Experts Group) representation is also proposed.