Exploring "Multiple Worlds" in Parallel

We examine computing alternative solutions to a problem in parallel to improve response time. Problems with exploring multiple alternatives in parallel include (1) side-effects and (2) combinatorial explosion in the amount of state which must be preserved. These are solved by process management and an application of ‘‘copy-on-write’’ virtual memory management. The side effects resulting from interprocess communication are handled by a specialized message layer which interacts with process management. The effect is to create ‘‘Multiple Worlds’’, which are different due to the alternate solution methods, but internally self-consistent. We show how such a ‘‘Multiple Worlds’’ scheme can be used for several applications.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1989
• Where: ICPP
• Authors: Jonathan M. Smith, Gerald Q. Maguire Jr.
• Keywords: Distributed And Parallel Computing, ICPP 1989, Process Management, Virtual Memory Management, ‘‘multiple Worlds