The Task distribution preprocessor (TDP)
Frank McCanna · RIT Scholar Works (Rochester Institute of Technology) · 1989
This document describes a software processor used to generate portable and efficient multiprocess programs that run on UNIX operating systems. The processor is designed to be a convenient method for converting single process C programs into distributed multiprocess C programs. Another goal is to have the processor used as a "back"end or "platform" for multitasking languages and code generators. Efficiency is targeted toward multiprocessor systems that provide facilities for sharing physical memory between processes running on separate CPUs. Portability is achieved with the use of the highly portable UNIX operating system and its companion C language. The C language is used as both the input and output language for the processor. Use of C as an object language gives portability to the generated multitask program. Using C as an input language, simplifies the interface with multitasking languages and code generators as well as minimizing changes necessary when converting C language single task pro grams to multitask programs. Initial implementation of the Task Distribution Preprocessor will generate C code that can be compiled and run on any UNIX system that provides message passing facilities.