The Map

This guide is divided into three major parts; it includes nine chapters, a glossary, two appendixes and a bibliography.

• Part I - Basics (Chapters 1-6). This part provides the facts, as well as some interpretation of the underlying system. It describes the overall concepts, system, and techniques for making PVM work for applications.
  • Introduction to PVM - introduction to network computing and PVM; terms and concepts, including an overview of the system
  • Overview of PVM
    • C, C++, and Fortran
    • basic principles
    • ``hello.c'' example
    • other systems (e.g., MPI)

  • PVM Tutorial
    • setting up PVM
    • running an existing program
    • console
    • XPVM

  • Programming
    • basic programming techniques
    • data decomposition / partitioning
    • function decomposition
    • putting PVM in existing code

  • User Interface
    • functions
    • hostfile

  • Program Examples
    • PVM programs

• Part 2 - Details (Chapters 7-9). This part describes the internals of PVM.
  • How PVM Works
    • Unix hooks to PVM interfaces
    • multiprocessors - shared and distributed memory

  • Advanced Topics
    • portability
    • debugging
    • tracing
    • XPVM details

  • Troubleshooting; interesting tidbits and information on PVM, including frequently asked questions.

• Part 3 - The Remains. This part provides some useful information on the use of the PVM interface.
  • Glossary of Terms: gives a short description for terms used in the PVM context.
  • Appendix A, History of PVM versions: list of all the versions of PVM that have been released from the first one in February 1991 through July 1994. Along with each version we include a brief synopsis of the improvements made in version 3.
  • Appendix B, Man Pages: provides an alphabetical listing of all the PVM 3 routines. Each routine is described in detail for both C and Fortran use. There are examples and diagnostics for each routine.

  • Quick Reference Card for PVM: provides the name and calling sequence for the PVM routines in both C and Fortran. (If this card is missing from the text a replacement can be downloaded over the network by ftp'ing to netlib2.cs.utk.edu; cd pvm3/book; get refcard.ps.)

  • Bibliography