RESOURCE equals ABSTRACT DATA TYPE plus SYNCHRONIZATION - A METHODOLOGY FOR MESSAGE ORIENTED PROGRAMMING.

A methodology for the development (and analysis) of programs designed specifically for distributed environments where synchronization is achieved through message passing is presented. The methodology is based on techniques and concepts which have been found to be useful for the development of sequential programs - namely, stepwise refinement and abstract data types. The methodology is based on the concept of resource, generalizing the concepts of monitors, managers, proprietors, etc. It is proposed that a resource is an abstract data type together with mechanisms for synchronization.