Trends in shared memory multiprocessing

Current application and technology trends are causing researchers and developers to revisit shared memory multiprocessing. The authors look at what is needed to maintain growth, particularly for commercial applications. The first step is to carefully examine the current use of shared memory multiprocessing and arrive at intelligent projections of future use based on application and technology trends. The second step is to begin filling gaps in programming models and architectures for shared memory multiprocessing. Finally-and possibly concurrently with the second step-researchers must look at ways to make the development of parallel software more feasible, including the development of compilers and tools. We look at the issues in these three steps. We also show how architectural issues are tightly interwoven with application trends.