Distributed, object-based programming systems

ABSTRACT

The development of distributed operating systems and object-based programming languages makes possible an environment in which programs consisting of a set of interacting modules, or objects, may execute concurrently on a collection of loosely coupled processors. An object-based programming language encourages a methodology for designing and creating a program as a set of autonomous components, whereas a distributed operating system permits a collection of workstations or personal computers to be treated as a single entity. The amalgamation of these two concepts has resulted in systems that shall be referred to as distributed, object-based programming systems. This paper discusses issues in the design and implementation of such systems. Following the presentation of fundamental concepts and various object models, issues in object management, object interaction management, and physical resource management are discussed. Extensive examples are drawn from existing systems.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.2 Language Classifications
          Subjects: Object-oriented languages

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

  D. Software
  D.1 PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES
      D.1.3 Concurrent Programming
          Subjects: Distributed programming
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.3 Language Constructs and Features
          Subjects: Concurrent programming structures

General Terms:
Design, Languages

Keywords:
capability scheme, distributed operating systems, error recovery, method invocation, nested transaction, object model, object reliability, object-based programming languages, processor allocation, resource management, synchronization, transaction