Schumann, Charles N.2014-03-142014-03-141993etd-11102009-020239http://hdl.handle.net/10919/45618The Linda programming language provides an architecturally independent paradigm for writing parallel programs. By designing and implementing Linda on a network of stand alone workstations a scalable multicomputer can be constructed from existing equipment. This thesis presents the design, implementation and testing of a distributable Linda kernel and communications subsystem providing a framework for full distribution of Linda on a network of workstations. Following a presentation of the Linda language, the kernel’s design and rationale are presented. The design provides for interprocess communications by implementing a protocol on top of the Unix socket facility. Choosing sockets as the interprocess communications medium has the advantage of wide portability. However, a design critique is presented which addresses several disadvantages of the socket based communications model. Considerable attention is given to quantifying the effectiveness of this design in comparison to a shared memory, non-distributable design from Yale University. A thorough investigation into the source of particular observed phenomena is presented which leads to an improvement in wall time performance of an order of magnitude.xi, 156 leavesBTDapplication/pdfenIn CopyrightLD5655.V855 1993.S386Computer networksLINDA (Computer system)Microcomputer workstationsParallel processing (Electronic computers)Parallel programming (Computer science)Thesishttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-11102009-020239/