Graphical design tool for parallel programs with execution control based on global application states

Abstract

New high-level control mechanisms for design of parallel programs are introduced in the paper. Special synchronizer processes collect information on application parallel process states and construct strongly consistent global states, using time interval timestamps. Based on consistent global states, synchronization and execution control predicates are evaluated by the synchronizers. As a result, synchronization/control signals are sent to application processes. The signals can trigger asynchronous computation activation or cancellation. The proposed synchronization framework is integrated with a message passing system and included into GRADE graphical parallel program design environment. Architecture and implementation aspects of such system are discussed.