The Linda model for concurrent processing employs a shared data space approach for interprocess communication. The development of the distributed Linda system presented in this thesis implements distributed process creation within the shared data space framework and provides for parallel execution of Linda processes on a network of workstations. In addition, the design of the system’s shared data space allows it to be distributed over multiple hosts, providing for parallel access to various regions of the shared data space, thereby reducing contention among Linda processes for this resource. A preliminary analysis of the system’s execution profile has identified particular characteristics of the system which tend to limit computational performance under conditions of heavy I/O with the shared data space. An investigation of the system’s I/O behavior has led to the identification of a technique which can improve the I/O performance of the system by as much as an order of magnitude. However, this technique results in inefficient use of network bandwidth by the Linda system. Consequently, potential alternative techniques for improving the system’s I/O performance are presented.