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Abstract

An object oriented processor array includes a library of functional objects which are instantiated by commands through a system object and which communicate via a high level language. According to the invention, communication is based on an 'event-reaction' model. According to the event-reaction model, when a processor object has a message to send, it generates a data event which is registered with the target recipient of the message (usually the host). The target reacts to the event by allowing a variable amount of I/O exchange between the processor object and the target prior to an acknowledgement of the data event. According to one embodiment, until the data event is acknowledged, no other data event may be sent to the target. According to another embodiment, a fixed number of data events may be pending simultaneously. In one embodiment of a multi-node system, each node (each object oriented processor array) is aware of network traffic and data events related to a particular target (host) receiver are registered with all nodes which have that receiver as a target as well as with the target. The number of data events which may be simultaneously pending at any time is determined by the target and known to each of the nodes. The target arbitrates the flow of messages based on the registration of data events.

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First Claim