Bulk Data Types For Architecture Independence - a One day Meeting in London

[Ashok Gupta]

                          The British Computer Society
                      Parallel Processing Specialist Group

                                   (BCS PPSG)


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          **   Bulk  Data  Types  for  Architecture  Independence   **
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                   A One Day Open Meeting with Invited Papers

             Friday May 20 1994, Institute of Education, London, UK


                               Invited Speakers:

                  David Skillicorn, Queen's University, Canada
                       Murray Cole, Edinburgh University
                     Grant Malcolm, PRG, Oxford University
                     Richard Miller, PRG, Oxford University
                Stewart Reddaway, Cambridge Parallel Processing


A key factor in the growth of parallel computing is the availability of portable
software.   An  attractive  approach  to  portability   lies in the provision of
high-level programming constructs over bulk data, and their mapping to  parallel
architectures under the guidance of an appropriate cost calculus.

Bulk operations have been in use since their introduction in APL, but have  been
understood  much  better recently. Bird-Meertens theory describes the operations
of  greatest  interest  for  composed  data  types  and  provides  a  wealth  of
mathematical  laws  which  can  be  used  to  transform   and map algorithms for
specific parallel architectures. Data types to  which  this  approach  has  been
applied include arrays, relations, lists, and trees.

Speakers will describe this strategy for parallel software development,  explain
the  underlying  mathematics  (at  an  accessible  level),  and  illustrate  the
approach.


The  PPSG,  founded  in  1986,  exists  to  foster   development   of   parallel
architectures,  languages  and  applications  and  to disseminate information on
parallel processing. Membership is completely open; you do  not  have  to  be  a
member  of the British Computer Society. For further information about the group
contact either of the following:

      Chair: Mr A Gupta              Membership Secretary: Dr N Tucker
      Philips Research Labs          Paradis Consultants
      Cross Oak Lane                 East Berriow
      Redhill                        Berriow Bridge
      Surrey                         North Hill
      UK                             nr. Launceston
      RH1 5HA                        Cornwall PL15 7NL,  UK

      gupta at prl.philips.co.uk        paradis at cix.compulink.co.uk

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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 Bulk  Data  Types  for  Architecture
Independence, London, May 20 1994, 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 and refreshments), in pounds sterling, are :


     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 +44 (0) 734 665570)

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               Apologies for the multiple postings.