[TYPES] FInCo 2005: FOUNDATIONS OF INTERACTIVE COMPUTATION -- CFP

[Goldin, Dina]

                    preliminary call for papers

        FInCo 2005: FOUNDATIONS OF INTERACTIVE COMPUTATION

                  satellite workshop of ETAPS 2005
             Saturday 9 April 2005, Edinburgh, Scotland
                 http://www.cse.uconn.edu/cse/finco05
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The interaction paradigm provides a new conceptualization of computational 
phenomena, placing the emphasis on interaction rather than on algorithms; 
concurrent, distributed, reactive, embedded, component-oriented, agent-
oriented and service-oriented systems all exploit interaction as a fun-
damental paradigm. Contemporary approaches to Artificial Intelligence, 
Software Engineering, Programming Languages, and Networking are all part 
of this paradigm change. However, a satisfactory foundation of interactive 
computation, analogously to the one that Turing Machines and lambda-calculus 
provide for algorithms, is still lacking. This workshop provides the first 
opportunity for researchers in aforementioned fields to meet and exchange 
ideas, with the ultimate goal of providing a unified conceptual and formal 
framework for interactive computation.

The following characteristics distinguish this new, interactive notion of 
computation:

Computational Problem: The notion of a computational problem is that of
   performing a task or providing a service, rather than that of algorithm-
   ically producing an answer to a question.

Observable Behavior: A computing component can no longer be modeled as
   a functional transformation from input to output, but rather in terms of 
   its observable behavior.

Environments: The world, or environment of the computation is part of the
   model, dynamically supplying the computational system, or agent, with the
   inputs, and consuming the output values from the system.

Concurrency: Computation is concurrent; the computing agent computes in
   parallel with its environment, and with other agents that may be in it.

The claim that "interaction is more powerful than algorithms" is an open 
invitation to researchers to develop the models, tools, and methods that 
can lend credence to this claim. Many models capturing different aspects 
of interaction have been introduced, including interaction automata, process 
algebras, and co-algebraic approaches. It is now time for researchers involved 
in interactive systems to join their efforts and collaborate to develop a 
common framework. Accordingly, FInCo 2005 provides an opportunity for direct 
interaction among researchers in this new area, with the following goals that 
will help bridge the theory and practice of interactive computation:

* To understand the fundamental issues underlying the paradigm of interactive
  computation;
* To develop a roadmap for the design space of models of interaction;
* To establish a common language- and domain-independent framework for a
  theory of interactive computation;
* To identify the principles of effective & reliable engineering of interactive 
  systems;
* To stimulate further practical & theoretical research related to interactive
  computation.

PAPERS
   We solicit papers addressing one or more of the above goals. Submit papers 
   by email to <mviroli at deis.unibo.it> by Dec. 20, 2004, with a 12-page limit. 
   Workshop proceedings will be published by ENTCS. Some accepted papers will 
   be selected for a special issue of an international journal. Further instruc-
   tions will be posted on the web site, http://www.cse.uconn.edu/cse/finco05

PANELS
   We seek proposals for a lively and provocative panel that will reflect the 
   different views of the workshop participants. Panel proposals must include 
   an abstract, an outline of the panel format, and relevant information about 
   the proposed panelists. Send your proposals electronically by Dec. 20, 2004 
   to <dqg at cse.uconn.edu>.

IMPORTANT DATES
   Submission: Dec. 20, 2004
   Notification: Jan. 24, 2005
   Workshop: Apr. 9, 2005

ORGANIZERS
   Dina Goldin, U. Connecticut, USA <dqg at cse.uconn.edu>
   Mirko Viroli, U. Bologna/Cesena, Italy <mviroli at deis.unibo.it>

PROGRAM COMMITTEE
   Farhad Arbab, CWI & Leiden U., the Netherlands
   Gul Agha, UIUC, USA
   Antonio Brogi, U. Pisa, Italy
   Manfred Broy, TU München, Germany
   Giorgio Delzanno, U. Genova, Italy
   Jon Doyle, N. Carolina State U., USA
   Ramesh Jain, Georgia Tech, USA
   R. Prescott Loui, Washington U. in St. Louis, USA
   John-Jules Meyer, Utrecht U., the Netherlands
   Andrea Omicini, U. Bologna/Cesena, Italy
   Catuscia Palamidessi, INRIA, France
   Rohit Parikh, CUNY, USA
   Doug Schmidt, Vanderbilt U., USA
   Scott Smolka, SUNY Stony Brook, USA
   Lynn Andrea Stein, Olin College, USA
   Bernhard Thalheim, U. Kiel, Germany
   Jan van Leeuwen, Utrecht U., the Netherlands

STEERING COMMITTEE
   Dina Goldin, U. Connecticut, USA
   Mirko Viroli, U. Bologna/Cesena, Italy
   Peter Wegner, Brown U., USA

WEB SITE
   http://www.cse.uconn.edu/cse/finco05