DidaWiki

This is the list of arguments actually presented during the course in the A.A. 2009-2010.

• Evolution of computer architectures (multi/many core, clusters, grids, clouds) and urgency of effective parallel/distributed programming models and tools
• Problems in classical parallel/distributed programming
• Definition of structured parallel/distributed programming model
• Skeleton/patterns for parallel/distributed programming
  • techniques for discovering patterns
  • classification of patterns
  • typical patterns
• Skeleton frameworks (definition of algorithmic skeleton)
• Implementation of skeleton frameworks
  • implementation templates
  • macro data flow
• Fixed vs. variable skeleton set frameworks: how to handle expandability of the skeleton set using macro data flow implementation
• Advanced features
  • portability (virtual machine based vs. compiler based)
  • adaptivity (behavioural skeletons with autonomic management of non functional features, hierachical, multiconcern)
• Performance modelling of structured parallel/distributed computations
  • measures of interest (Service and completion time, speedup, scalability, efficiency)
  • performance models for farm, pipeline and data parallel skeletons
  • performance models using queue theory results
  • how to derive a performance model for a generic skeleton.
• Design patterns: concept of design pattern, parallel design patterns, sample parallel patterns, perspectives and differences with algorithmic skeletons
• Software components: definition, usage, usage in a structured framework, sample SCA code, perspectives and differences with algorithmic skeletons and design patterns.
• Workflows: definition, usage, perspectives and differences with algorithmic skeletons and design patterns.
• Low level frameworks to support structured parallel/distributed programming
  • POSIX-TCP/IP (targets clusters and network of workstations, with tools, sample code, command line utilities, implementation of collective operations with UDP)
  • OpenMP (targets multicores, with sample code and sample implementation of structured code)
  • RPC/RMI (targeting clusters and networks of workstations, with concepts and sample code in C (SUN rpcgen), Java (RMI) and ProActive)
  • Measuring and modelling POSIX/TCP platform
• Wireless networks: concept, typical protocols, usage in structured context
• Peer-to-peer techniques: concept, centralized, distributed and hierarchical approaches, typical algorithms, usage in structured contexts
• Client server model vs. peer to peer: perspectives
• Concepts and perspectives on parallel programming from the Berkeley paper “A View of the Parallel Computing Landscape”
• Tools and frameworks:
  • Sample skeleton framework: Muesli. Skeletons provided, installation, sample code.
  • Sample skeleton framework: Calcium/ProActive. Skeletons provided, installation, sample code.
  • Sample component framework: ProActiveGCM
  • Sample message passing framework: MPI. Point to point primitives, collective primitives, compilation and run on clusters.
  • Sample thread framework: OpenMPI.