Algebraic foundation of a data model for an extensible space-based collaboration protocol

ABSTRACT

Space-based computing middleware offers a data driven style for the coordination of processes. The interaction requirements between these processes can be complex, and the template matching coordination law of the Linda and JavaSpaces model is not sufficient. Moreover, the usage should not be limited to a single platform. Several authors have proposed coordination extensions, but besides the suggestion to use XML or RDF based query facilities, a formalization of a general and extensible space-based coordination model has not yet been realized. In this paper we present the algebraic data structures and the coordination model based on a navigational query language for the extensible virtual shared memory architecture, and show how they can be adapted to support arbitrary coordination laws by the introduction of user-definable matchmaker and selector functions. The platform independence is achieved through a language independent communication protocol. The formal specification of the data model is the necessary basis for this protocol.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.4 Distributed Systems

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.1 Formal Definitions and Theory

Keywords:
coordination, data model, extensible virtual shared memory, language independent protocol, query language, space-based computing, tuple spaces