VMMP: a practical tool for the development of portable andefficient programs for multiprocessors

The VMMP (virtual machine for multiprocessors) software package is presented. It provides a coherent set of services for parallel application programs running on diverse multiple input multiple data (MIMD) multiprocessors, including shared memory and message passing multiprocessors. The communication, synchronization, and data distribution requirements of parallel algorithms are analyzed. Related languages and tools are described. VMMP services are identified. VMMP implementation, coding and portability are discussed. Some measurements of the performance of VROMP application programs and VMMP overhead are given. Several hints for improving the performance of application programs are described