The Shift Programming Language and Run - time

Shift is a programming language for describing dynamic networks of hybrid automata. Such systems consist of components which can be created, interconnected and destroyed as the system evolves. Components exhibit hybrid behavior, consisting of continuous-time phases separated by discrete-event transitions. Components may evolve independently, or they may interact through their inputs, outputs and exported events. The interaction network itself may evolve. We believe that the Shift model ooers the proper level of abstraction for describing complex applications such as automated highway systems, air traac control systems, robotic shoppoors, coordinated submarines and other systems whose operation cannot be captured easily by conventional models. We have implemented a compiler for translating a Shift program to a C program, and we have implemented the Shift run-time system for obtaining an executable program. The executable program, when run, simulates the design speciied in the Shift source program.