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Transaction monitor process with pre-arranged modules for a multiprocessor system
| Details |
Inventors: McCline, Matthew C.; Lyon, James M.;
Assignee: Tandem Computers Incorporated (Cupertino, CA)
Primary Examiner: Envall, Jr.; Roy N.
Assistant Examiner: Kundupoglli; Yoncha
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP
A multiple processor system includes at least one process pair each including a plurality of modules. The modules perform functions related to multiple independent threads, and are arranged in a predetermined order such that higher modules are dependent upon lower modules, and lower modules are independent from higher modules. Each process pair is initially unaware of the number and order of the modules. The order of the modules is related to dependency and interdependency between the modules so that there is a portion of higher modules and a portion of lower modules. Multiple independent threads process the modules to cause activities in the portions of higher modules to take place before activities in the portions of lower modules. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the preferred embodiment, a Transaction Monitoring Facility (TMF) provides transaction management and protects the integrity of user data.
The programmatic construct called a "transaction" is an explicitly delimited operation, or set of related operations, that changes the content of a database from one consistent state to another.
The database operations within a transaction are treated as a single unit.
In the preferred embodiment, a multithreaded process is utilized to provide a process in which there are multiple independent loci of control called "threads".
Each "thread" has a different task to perform which furthers the larger objective of the process.
Furthermore, a multithreaded process pair is a process pair in which each process may be (and usually is) multithreaded.
Within TMF, the transaction monitor process (TMP) is a multithreaded process pair.
The TMP uses one thread to track each transaction.
Threads are also used for other purposes (e.
g.
, one thread could represent each person using an ATM in a full banking system).
In addition, approximately 500 to 1000 threads are occurring at one time in a busy system.
Multiple modules act upon each "thread" such that desired changes are performed.
Each module may contain one or more threads of activity that operate as largely independent subprocesses within the overall process infrastructure.
In the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a means for controlling operations within a multi-threaded process pair which includes multiple modules having varying degrees of interdependence.
For example, the present invention ensures that operations (or events) such as (1) subsystem startup and shutdown, (2) process pair take over, (3) give ownership, etc.
can be accomplished without deadlock and race conditions, and with a minimum of interaction between the various modules.
Deadlock occurs when two or more threads cannot go forward without something from the other, such that the system cannot run.
In a race condition, two threads that should have been synchronized are operated upon at the same time, such that the transaction does not go forward properly
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