Time considered irrelevant for real-time systems

Abstract

Various manifestations of the time-as-a-proxy phenomenon in specification of computing problems are considered. It is argued that unless the time-related considerations constitute an essential part of natural (physical) problems, safer specifications are obtained from avoiding short-cuts offered by introduction of time-related notions. This methodological principle is illustrated by examples from several fields: digital control and simulation, design of operator's interface and communication protocols.