Steam-oriented Computation in Recursive Data Flow Schemas

Abstract

In this thesis we present a parallel programming language based on a parallel computation model known as data flow schemas. Syntactically, the language resembles programming languages such as Algol 60, but does not have GOTO's, WHILE-loops, and non-local variables. The attractiveness of this approach lies in the inherently determinate nature of data flow schemas and the possiblity of formalizing the semantics of the language within the formalism suggested by Scott and Strachey. The language provides programming features for stream-oriented computation and intercommunicating systems. We introduce the notions of proper initialization and termination of such systems. A subclass of determinate systems in which these properties can be easily checked is defined and a translation into recursive data flow schemas is given.