Dataflow Java: Implicitly Parallel Java

Dataflow computation models enable simpler and more efficient management of the memory hierarchy - a key barrier to the performance of many parallel programs. This paper describes a dataflow language based on Java. Use of the dataflow model enables a programmer to generate parallel programs without explicit directions for message passing, work allocation and synchronisation. A small handful of additional syntactic constructs are required. A pre-processor is used to convert Dataflow Java programs to standard portable Java. The underlying run-time system was easy to implement using Java's object modelling and communicationsprimitives. Although raw performance lags behind an equivalent Cbased system, we were able to demonstrate useful speedups in a heterogeneous environment, thus amply illustrating the potential power of the Dataflow Java approach to use all machines - of whatever type - that might be available on a network .. when Java JIT compiler technology matures.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2000
• Where: APCSAC
• Authors: Gareth Lee, John Morris
• Keywords: APCSAC 2000, Computer Architecture, Dataflow, Dataflow Java, Dataflow Java Programs