Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Semantics for data parallel computation

  • Published:
International Journal of Parallel Programming Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The paper describes the semantics of an elementary language for data parallel computation that is based on an abstract parallel machine. The semantics of the language is described in both a mathematical and an operational manner. The mathematical semantics can be used to prove the correctness of algorithms specified in the language. The operational semantics provides a CSP description of an abstract machine that can be used to execute programs written in the language. The latter portion of the paper establishes that the two semantic descriptions are equivalent.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. M. D. Rice, S. B. Seidman, and P. Y. Wang, The Specification of Data Parallel Algorithms,J. of Parallel and Distributed Computing 8:191–195 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  2. E. A. Ashcroft and W. Wadge, Rx for Semantics,ACM Trans. on Prog. Lang. and Systems 4(2):283fff-294 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  3. D. Scott and C. Strachey, Toward a Mathematical Semantics for Computer Languages,MRI Symp. Proc., Vol. 21:Proc. of Symp. on Computers and Automaton, Polytechnic Press, Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, New York, pp. 19–46 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  4. D. A. Schmidt,Denotational Semantics, A Methodology for Language Development, Allyn and Bacon (1986).

  5. G. D. Plotkin, A Structured Approach to Operational Semantics, Technical Report DAIMI FN-19, Aarhus University, Computer Science Department, Denmark (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  6. C. A. R. Hoare,Communicating Sequential Processes, Prentice-Hall International (1985).

  7. G. D. Plotkin, LCF Considered as a Programming Language,Theoretical Computer Science 5(3):223–256 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  8. A. R. Meyer and S. S. Cosmadakis, Semantical Paradigms: Notes for an Invited Lecture,Proc. Third Annual Symp. on Logic in Computer Science, IEEE Computer Society Press, pp. 236–253 (1988).

  9. P. Degano, R. De Nicola, and U. Montanari, On the Consistency of Truly Concurrent Operational and Denotational Semantics,Proc. Third Annual Symp. on Logic in Computer Science, IEEE Computer Society Press, pp. 133–141 (1988).

  10. S. D. Brookes and A. W. Roscoe An Improved Failures Model for Communicating Processes, Springer-Verlag,Lecture Notes in Computer Science 197:281–305.

  11. M. D. Rice, S. B. Seidman, and P. Y. Wang, A Functional Model of SIMD Computation,Proc. of the Second Symp. on Massively Parallel Computation, IEEE Computer Society Press, pp. 601–607 (1989).

  12. H. J. Siegel, A Model of SIMD Machines and a Comparison of Various Interconnection Networks,IEEE Transactions on Computers C-28:909–917 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  13. W. Sierpinski,Elementary Theory of Numbers, Mathematical Monographs, 42, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  14. C. Wilansky and D. A. Banerjee, A Functional Programming Language Compiler for Massively Parallel Computers, 1990 ACM Conference on Lisp and Functional Programming.

  15. H. J. Siegel, Analysis Techniques for SIMD Machine Interconnection Networks and the Effects of Processor Masks,IEEE Transactions on Computers C-26:153–161 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  16. W. D. Hillis and G. L. Steele, Data Parallel Algorithms,Comm. ACM 29(2):1170–1183 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  17. S. D. Brookes, C. A. R. Hoare, and A. W. Roscoe, A Theory of Communicating Sequential Processes,JACM 31(3):560–599 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  18. C. S. Klein, Simulation of a SIMD Computer on a Transputer Network, TR-4-88, Computer Science Department, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  19. M. D. Rice, S. B. Seidman, and P. Y. Wang, A. High-Level Language for SIMD Computation Part 1,Proceedings CONPAR 1988, Cambridge University Press, pp. 384–391 (1989).

  20. Thinking Machines Corporation,*Lisp and C* Reference Manuals (1988)

  21. W. D. Hillis,The Connection Machine, MIT Press (1986).

  22. P. Y. Wang, S. B. Seidman, M. D. Rice, and T. E. Gerasch, An Object Method Programming Language for Data Parallel Computation,Proc. 22nd Annual Hawaii Int'l. Conf. on System Sciences, IEEE Computer Society Press (II), pp. 745–750 (1989).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mathematics Department, Wesleyan University, 06459, Middletown, Connecticut

    Michael D. Rice

Authors
  1. Michael D. Rice
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The author acknowledges the Software Productivity Consortium for support under Grant #SPC-88-001. The author also wishes to thank Drs. Stephen Seidman and Pearl Wang for valuable discussions on portions of this material.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rice, M.D. Semantics for data parallel computation. Int J Parallel Prog 19, 477–509 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01397628

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01397628

Key Words

Search

Navigation