Synccharts: A visual representation of reactive behaviors

This report is an introduction to SyncCharts (Synchronous Charts) a new graphical representation of reactive behaviors based on the synchronous paradigm. Syntactically this model is close to Statecharts and Argos. It o ers enhanced preemption capabilities. Its semantics is formally de ned and any Synchronous Charts can be translated into an equivalent Esterel program. SyncCharts combines state-oriented descriptions, hierarchy and powerful preemption mechanisms. It is fully compatible with the imperative synchronous language Esterel and it encourages programming with both textual and graphical reprensentations.