Foundations of Parallel Programming (Paperback)

David Skillicorn

ISBN 10: 0521018560 / ISBN 13: 9780521018562

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2005

About this Item

Paperback. The major reason for the lack of use of parallel computing is the mismatch between the complexity and variety of parallel hardware, and the software development tools to program it. The cost of developing software needs to be amortised over decades, but the platforms on which it executes change every few years, requiring complete rewrites. The evident cost-effectiveness of parallel computation has not been realized because of this mismatch. This book presents an integrated approach to parallel software development by addressing both software and performance issues together. It presents a methodology for software construction that produces architecture - independent and intellectually abstract software. The software can execute efficiently on a range of existing and potential hardware configurations. The approach is based on the construction of categorical data types, a generalization of abstract data types, and of objects. Categorical data types abstract both from the representation of a data type, and also from the detailed control flow necessary to perform operations on it. They thus impose a strong separation between the semantics, on which programs can depend, and the implementation, which is therefore free to hide the parallel machine properties that are used. Using parallel machines is difficult because of their inherent complexity and because their architecture changes frequently. This book presents an integrated approach to developing software for parallel machines that addresses software issues and performance issues together. The author describes a methodology for software construction that is architecture-independent and intellectually abstract. The software can execute efficiently on a range of existing and potential hardware configurations. The approach is based on the construction of categorical data types, a generalization of abstract data types, and of objects. This work will be an outstanding reference for researchers in computing. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780521018562

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Foundations of Parallel Programming (Paperback)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521018560
• ISBN 13: 9780521018562
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Using parallel machines is difficult because of their inherent complexity and because their architecture changes frequently. This book presents an integrated approach to developing software for parallel machines that addresses software issues and performance issues together. The author describes a methodology for software construction that is architecture-independent and intellectually abstract. The software can execute efficiently on a range of existing and potential hardware configurations. The approach is based on the construction of categorical data types, a generalization of abstract data types, and of objects. This work will be an outstanding reference for researchers in computing.

Book Description

The complexity of the problems encountered in parallel computing has often meant that the software developed has been tailored to suit the specific needs of the hardware that accommodates it. The aim of this book is to provide an accessible account of the latest techniques used to design architecture independent parallel software. The author uses abstract theoretical ideas, such as categorical data types, to demonstrate how the practical problems of designing portable parallel software can be overcome.This is the first comprehensive account of this new approach to the fundamentals of the subject, and should not be missed by anyone who works in parallel programming.