3.2 Parallel Programming Goals

The three major goals of parallel programming (over and above those of sequential programming) are as follows:

  1. Performance.
  2. Productivity.
  3. Generality.

Quick Quiz 3.3: Oh, really??? What about correctness, maintainability, robustness, and so on? End Quick Quiz

Quick Quiz 3.4: And if correctness, maintainability, and robustness don't make the list, why do productivity and generality? End Quick Quiz

Quick Quiz 3.5: Given that parallel programs are much harder to prove correct than are sequential programs, again, shouldn't correctness really be on the list? End Quick Quiz

Quick Quiz 3.6: What about just having fun? End Quick Quiz

Each of these goals is elaborated upon in the following sections.



Subsections

Paul E. McKenney 2011-12-16