Interaction provides a new conceptualization of computational phenomena; concurrent, distributed, reactive, embedded, component- oriented, agent-oriented and service-oriented systems all exploit interaction as a fundamental paradigm. However, a satisfactory unifying foundational framework for interactive computation, analogous to what Turing machines and the lambda-calculus provide for algorithms, is still lacking. This workshop provides the first opportunity for researchers to exchange ideas on this topic, with the ultimate goal of establishing a unified conceptual and formal framework for modeling interaction that takes into account its many different aspects and viewpoints.
The following characteristics distinguish this new, interactive notion of computation:
Computational Problem: A computational problem entails performing
a task or providing a service, rather than algorithmically pro-
ducing an answer to a question.
Observable Behavior: A computing component is now modeled not as
a functional transformation from input to output, but rather in
terms of an 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 com-
putes in parallel with its environment and with other agents
that may be in it.
The claim that "interaction is more powerful than algorithms"
challenges our fundamental assumptions about the nature of compu- tation and the notion of computational problems, reinterpreting the Church-Turing thesis without attacking it directly. This claim is an open invitation to researchers to develop models, tools, and methods that can lend credence to it. 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 to develop a common framework. 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.