Extending the GoT model into a multi-language, multi-platform distributed system through interoperable Spacetime dataframes

Over the years, the computing landscape at large has become more diverse and heterogeneous in terms of programming languages, operating systems, networking methods, and hardware. With such increasing heterogeneity, any new distributed programming model needs to function successfully across the gamut of languages and platforms. The Global Object Tracker (GoT) is a recently introduced distributed programming model, initially implemented as the Spacetime framework in a single implementation language -- Python. In this thesis, we explore the possibility and feasibility of extending Spacetime into a multi-language, multi-platform distributed system through a combination of generic and platform-specific techniques. In particular, I explain the design of an Interface Definition Language (IDL) for GoT, in the backdrop of historically significant IDLs. Moreover, we explore the underlying protocol defined in GoT which enables interoperability among heterogeneous components. The thesis is validated by demonstrating a simple Web Presence application where much of the complexity emerging due to heterogeneity is hidden from the application developer. The complexity hiding in the example application is explained in the context of a layered architecture. Moreover, we compare the extended Spacetime framework with the Parse Platform, a contemporary heterogeneous distributed system originally from Facebook