The Concurrent Environment of the Sequent Balance 8000
Abstract
Concurrent programming is an intense area of research in computer science. There are two types of concurrent programming. Multiprogramming refers to multiple processes executing on a single processor in the same time period by using a method called Time-slicing. Multiprocessing refers to multiple processes which execute at the same time each on its own processor. This paper deals with the issues of multiprocessing. A process is defined as a section of code which is executed sequentially. However, there is a problem with these new multiprocessing systems. The problem centers around the fact that the software industry has failed to keep pace with the multiprocessing enhancements produced by the hardware industry. This paper has two objectives. The first objective is to investigate and document the mechanisms for process creation and control on a commercial multiprocessing system. The Texas A&M Sequent Balance 8000 Multiprocessing System is the target of this objective. The second objective is to add a new mechanism to this existing system that easily and clearly expresses process creation. Keywords: DYNIX operating system; Precomputers; C programming language; Synchronization.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA196694
Entities
People
- Floyd Davenport
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology