Paper Details

Parallel-DB4GL: An implementation of a self-describing object-oriented database application generator on transputer hardware

Authors: Gray, J. P., Poole, F.

Abstract:

In general, this research project is concerned with the use of transputer based parallel hardware to improve the performance of database software. Specifically, the aim of the project is the enhancement of a database application generation system, Data Base 4th Generation Language (DB4GL), by converting the DB4GL generated database applications to run on transputer networks.A prototype Parallel-DB4GL (P-DB4GL) system has been designed and implemented. In P-DB4GL, the application code modules generated by DB4GL have been redesigned as concurrent Occam [InmosSSb] processes. A number of DB4GL data access code modules (entity handlers and schema handlers) have been implemented, and used to construct simple database applications. Additionally, simulations of DB4GL modules not yet implemented (for example, User Processes and Filer Processes) have been written, and used in the testing of these simple database applications.The P-DB4GL applications have been test run on a number of different transputer configurations. Results have been obtained which show significant performance improvements when applications are run on small (one to four processors) transputer networks. The principal benefit comes from the ability to perform multiple concurrent disc input/ouput, thus increasing disc throughput, and hence improving overall application performance. Development and testing of the prototype P-DB4GL has confirmed the feasibility of using transputer based parallel hardware for DB4GL applications. It has indicated how and where significant performance gains can be obtained in the full working version of P-DB4GL, currently under development.

Proceedings:

OUG-12: Tools and Techniques for Transputer Applications, Stephen J. Turner, 1990, pp 34 - 49 published by IOS Press, Amsterdam

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