Modelling Communication in Ada with Shared Data Abstractions

ions Dennis Freidel Hewlett Packard -- Colorado Networks Division Chris Marlin yz & Michael Oudshoorn y The University of Adelaide April 30, 1998 Abstract Descriptions of parallel programming languages are typically presented in an entirely informal manner; similar informal descriptive techniques are usually also the basis of comparisons between parallel programming languages. Such informal descriptions frequently lead to misunderstandings about the programming languages being described, and how they relate to one another. In this paper, we use shared data abstractions, an extension of abstract data types for parallel programming, as the basis for a model of inter-task communication in the programming language Ada. This approach leads to a precise description of the inter-task communication facility of Ada, as well as offering a basis upon which to compare parallel programming languages. Categories and Subject Descriptors: D.3.1 [Programming Languages]: Formal Definitions and Th..