Access Control in Parallel Programs

An important component of a programming language for writing operating systems, or other large parallel systems, is the set of access control facilities. Two principles for access control, expressive power and access validation, are discussed. Then two new language mechanisms are presented: one for expressing the static structure and access rights of parallel systems, the other for controlling dynamic access to shared objects (monitors). The use of the proposed mechanisms is illustrated by message passing and file systems. Finally, the relationship between the mechanisms and access validation is discussed and a solution to the safety problem for the facilities is given. Key Words and Phrases: access control, programming language, protection, security, processes, monitors, access safety. CR Categories: 4.20, 4.32, 4.3