Fortunately, compiler generated cache management can reduce program serialization due to cache-contention and increase execution performance. It can also reduce the cost of parallel systems by eliminating the need for more expensive hardware support. In this paper, we use Sisal functional language system as a vehicle to implement and investigate automatic, compiler based cache management. Using a Functional Language Rich Wolski and David Cann, Journal of Scientific Programming, December, 1995. A Prototype Functional Language Implementation for Hierarchical Memory Architectures Rich Wolski, John Feo, and David Cann, 25th Hawaii International Conference on Systems Sciences, January, 1992.
Programming languages are the most important tool at a programmer's disposal.
All other tools correct, visualize, or evaluate the product crafted by this tool. The advent of multiprocessor computer systems has greatly complicated the programmer's task and increased his need for high-level languages capable of automatically taming these architectures. In this paper, we describe a prototype implementation of Sisal for multiprocessor, hierarchical-memory systems. We give preliminary performance results for this system on the BBN TC2000. Watch this space fo further details.