Announcement - General Purpose Parallel Computing

[Ashok Gupta]

                        The  British  Computer  Society
                    Parallel  Processing  Specialist  Group
                                   (BCS PPSG)

                     General  Purpose  Parallel  Computing


           A One Day Open Meeting with Invited and Contributed Papers

            22 December 1993, University of Westminster, London, UK


                               Invited speakers :

                        Les Valiant, Harvard University
                   Bill McColl, PRG, University of Oxford, UK
                              David May, Inmos, UK


A key factor for the growth of parallel computing is the availability  of  port-
able  software.   To be portable, software must be written to a model of machine
performance with universal applicability. Software providers  must  be  able  to
provide  programs whose performance will scale with machine and application size
according to agreed principles.  This environment presupposes a model of  paral-
lel  performance, and one which will perform well for irregular as well as regu-
lar patterns of interaction.  Adoption of a common model by machine  architects,
algorithm  &  language  designers  and programmers is a precondition for general
purpose parallel computing.

Valiant's Bulk Synchronous Parallel (BSP) model provides a bridge between appli-
cation,  language  design and architecture for parallel computers. BSP is of the
same nature for parallel computing as the Von Neumann model  is  for  sequential
computing.   It  forms  the focus of a project for scalable performance parallel
architectures supporting architecture independent software. The  model  and  its
implications  for  hardware and software design will be described in invited and
contributed talks.



The PPSG, founded in 1986, exists to foster development  of  parallel  architec-
tures,  languages and applications & to disseminate information on parallel pro-
cessing. Membership is completely open; you do not have to be a  member  of  the
British  Computer  Society.  For further information about the group contact ei-
ther of the following :

Chair : Mr. A. Gupta                     Membership Secretary: Dr. N. Tucker
Philips Research Labs, Crossoak Lane,    Paradis Consultants, East Berriow,
Redhill, Surrey, RH1 5HA, UK             Berriow Bridge, North Hill, Nr. Launceston,
gupta at prl.philips.co.uk                  Cornwall, PL15 7NL, UK


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                        The  British  Computer  Society
                    Parallel  Processing  Specialist  Group
                                   (BCS PPSG)

                     General  Purpose  Parallel  Computing

                               22 December 1993,
                         Fyvie Hall, 309 Regent Street,
                     University of Westminster, London, UK


Provisional Programme

9 am-10 am  Registration & Coffee

     L. Valiant,  Harvard University,
	     "Title to be announced"
     W. McColl,  Oxford University,
	     Programming models for General Purpose Parallel Computing
     A. Chin,  King's College,  London University,
	     Locality of Reference in Bulk-Synchronous Parallel Computation
     P. Thannisch et al,  Edinburgh University,
	     Exponential Processor Requirements for Optimal Schedules
	     in Architecture with Locality

 Lunch

     D. May,  Inmos
	     "Title to be announced"
     R. Miller,  Oxford University,
	     A Library for Bulk Synchronous Parallel Programming
     C. Jesshope et al,  Surrey University,
	     BSPC and the N-Computer

Tea/Coffee

     P. Dew et al,  Leeds University,
	     Scalable Parallel Computing using the XPRAM model
     S. Turner et al,  Exeter University,
	     Portability and Parallelism with `Lightweight P4'
     N. Kalentery et al,  University of Westminster,
	     From BSP to a Virtual Von Neumann Machine
     R. Bisseling,  Utrecht University,
	     Scientific Computing on Bulk Synchronous Parallel Architectures
     B. Thompson et al,  University College of Swansea,
	     Equational Specification of Synchronous Concurrent Algorithms and 
	     Architectures

5.30 pm  Close


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       The British Computer Society Parallel Processing Specialist Group


Booking Form/Invoice                                  BCS VAT No. : 440-3490-76


Please reserve a place at the Conference on General Purpose Parallel Computing,
London, December 22 1993, for the individual(s) named below.


Name of delegate        BCS membership no.       Fee      VAT      Total
                         (if  applicable)
___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________


Cheques, in pounds sterling, should be made payable to "BCS Parallel Processing
Specialist Group".  Unfortunately credit card bookings cannot be accepted.


The delegate fees (including lunch, refreshments and proceedings) are 
(in pounds sterling) :

     Members of both PPSG & BCS:   55  +  9.62  VAT  =  64.62
     PPSG or BCS members:          70  +  12.25 VAT  =  82.25
     Non members:                  90  +  15.75 VAT  = 105.75
     Full-time students:           25  +   4.37 VAT  =  29.37

(Students should provide a letter of endorsement from their supervisor 
that also clearly details their institution)


Contact Address:    ___________________________________________

                    ___________________________________________

                    ___________________________________________

Email address:      _________________

Date: _________________    Day time telephone: ________________


Places are limited so please return this form as soon as possible to :

             Mrs C. Cunningham
             BCS PPSG
             2 Mildenhall Close, Lower Earley,
             Reading, RG6 3AT, UK
             (Phone 0734 665570)