Multi-paradigm parallel programming

Abstract

A method is described for designing secure and highly efficient parallel programs that can be written simply and straightforwardly for a wide range of applications. The method is based on the Occam programming language and a set of paradigms, or program structures, which can be used individually or in combination. The concurrent behavior of the paradigms is readily understood, and the effective performance and scalability on transputer networks is easily assessed. The paradigms admit the use of languages such as Fortran and C for programming sequential computation components. The discipline imposed by the use of paradigms avoids problems such as deadlock and makes load by balancing tractable, avoiding the overheads of a resource management operating system. Examples, developed under the ESPRIT Supermode Project, demonstrate how a relatively low-cost system can deliver sustained gigaflop-level performance.<>