A crucial test for any theory of concurrent processes is case studies. These will clarify the application areas where this theory is particularly helpful but also reveal its shortcomings. Such shortcomings can be challenges for future research.

Considering all existing case studies based on Petri nets, algebraic process terms and logical formulas, it is obvious that these description methods are immensely helpful in specifying, constructing and verifying concurrent processes. We think in particular of protocol verification, e.g. [Vaa86, Bae90], the verification of VLSI algorithms, e.g. [Hen86], the design of computer architectures, e.g. [Klu87, DD89a, DD89b], and even of concurrent programming languages such as OCCAM [INM84, RH88] or POOL [Ame85, ABKR86, AR89, Vaa90]. However, these examples use one specific description method in each case.

Our overall aim is the smooth integration of description methods that cover different levels of abstraction in a top-down design of concurrent processes. This aim is similar to what Misra and Chandy have presented in their rich and beautiful book on UNITY [CM88]. However, we believe that their approach requires complementary work at the level of implementation, i.e. where UNITY programs are mapped onto architectures.

Our presentation of three different views of concurrent processes attempts to contribute to this overall aim. To obtain a coherent theory, we concentrated on a setting where simple classes of nets, terms and formulas are used. We demonstrated the applicability of this setting in a series of small but non-trivial process constructions.