Activity 2: Make an initial specification of the service interface

The goal of this activity is to create an initial version of a state machine model for the service interface. Open file IService.interface and modify the dummy state machine such that it matches the following description:

  • Initially the vending machine only accepts the SwitchOn command, which leads to result OK and the machine becomes operational.

  • When the machine is operational, it accepts command LoadProduct. Moreover it can be switched off by the SwitchOff signal.

  • Ctrl-space provides templates for various types of transitions.

  • Use reply for a void command such as LoadProduct.

  • Commands, signals and notifications that are not specified in a state are not allowed.

When ready with the state machine, extend the project file with a generator for UML diagrams as follows.
Open file VendingMachine.prj, place the cursor between the two brackets and use Ctrl-space to inspect the possible generators; select "Generate UML Block" by double clicking. Save the .prj file.

Next right-click on file VendingMachine.prj (or somewhere in the editor of the file) and choose "Run As → Run generators".

  • In the lower right corner there is an indication in green while the workflow is being executed.

  • When finished, the result can be inspected in folder src-gen/uml.

  • Since the project file contains a task to generate UML, the CommaSuite tool generates UML state machine diagrams in the form of

    • .png files; note that there are reduced version of the state machine which is convenient for large state machines

    • .plantUML files; to show the diagram,

      • open the file (in case a pop-up occurs, select "Associate '*.plantuml' files with the current editor …​ ")

      • open the PlantUML view; go to menu Window/Show View/Other…​ , expand the PlantUML folder and choose PlantUML.

        PlantUML files are displayed using Graphviz. Sometimes showing the correct diagram requires a few repeated clicks in source and view. If diagrams are not displayed, check the installation manual on the GraphViz installation.