Structuring a Process Model

Structure of the Agent

Process models in HASH are built on a single agent, and there are three elements to their definition:

• The behaviors array — just like any agent in HASH, you'll be filling this with a mix of published behaviors from the Process Modeling Library and custom behaviors you've written.
• A process_labels array — this allows you to add descriptive labels to each process, and link them to their parameters.
• Parameter fields — most process behaviors will have corresponding parameters that you need to define in the agent's fields, and can be used to accurately describe the real-world system.

Each process block behavior operates in three parts:

1. The block retrieves all objects in its queue.
2. The block then performs a function, such as modifying on object property or seizing a resource from the agent.
3. The block puts modified objects back into its queue, or into the queue of the following block.

Behaviors Array

The behaviors array of an agent running a process model must start with the @hash/age/age.rs behavior, and can then contain a mix of custom and published behaviors.

init.json

{
  "behaviors": [
    "@hash/age/age.rs"
    // more process behaviors such as source, delay, etc...
  ],
  "...": "..."
}

Process Labels

The agent must also contain an array of labels for each process behavior. The labels allow you to give a descriptive name to each block. Only the behaviors listed on the following Process Behaviors page require a label; all other published or custom behaviors should have a "" placeholder string.

init.json

{
  "behaviors": [
    "@hash/age/age.rs",
    "@hash/process/source.js",
    "@hash/process/delay.js",
    "@hash/process/sink.js"
  ],
  "process_labels": ["", "start_process", "perform_action", "end_process"],
  "...": "..."
}

Resources

Certain blocks need to access resources to perform their functions. Resources can represent any quantifiable thing required to complete a task, for instance: staff, workstations, and wrenches. Resources should be represented on the process agents state as a field, with a number value representing how many are currently available. For example:

{
  "...": "...",
  "staff": 10,
  "workstations": 3,
  "wrenches": 5
}

Parameters

The parameters for each block must be specified in the agent's fields. Each parameter is keyed according to the label in the process_labels array. For example:

• The first process block on the agent is a Source block
• Its corresponding label is start_process
• Its parameters will be a struct keyed to "start_process"

{
  "behaviors": [
    "@hash/age/age.rs",
    "@hash/process/source.js",
    "@hash/process/delay.js",
    "@hash/process/delay.js",
    "@hash/process/sink.js"
  ],
  "process_labels": [
    "",
    "start_process",
    "perform_action",
    "verify_action",
    "end_process"
  ],
  "process_parameters": {
    "start_process": {
      // parameters for the Source block
    },
    "perform_action": {
      // parameters for the first Delay block
    },
    "verify_action": {
      // parameters for the second Delay block
    },
    "end_process": {
      // parameters for the Sink block
    }
  },
  "...": "..."
}

On the next page you can learn more about the parameters needed for each type of block, and their specific functions.