Objective The objective of SPAN was to investigate programming languages and parallel architectures for the integration of symbolic and numeric processing, and to develop a common virtual machine. The project was organised into distinct layers: application softwarepackages; high-level languages and tools; the "virtual machine" kernel system; and parallel architectures. The kernel system comprises an intermediate representation, currently implemented by a target machine language (TML) and its associated virtual machine code (VMC), through which all high-level languages were to be compiled onto a range of architectures for execution. It formed a focal point of the project. Two high-level language compilers were to be produced, together with an object-oriented framework for language integration. Three types of parallel architecture were to be evaluated, and an investigation was to be conducted into novel VLSI architectures for efficient execution of the VMC. To demonstrate the utility of these techniques, a range of applications software was to be developed. The development work is divided into 3 areas: a 1800 x 2400 high resolution graphics board compatible with an IBM XT/AT bus; a system for digitising, storing and visualisation of images with 512 x 512 pixel resolution, 8-bit quantified; a system which makes an analysis of linear discrete systems taking the graph as an input and drawing frequency response curves (with the possibility of generating code for the signal processor TMS 320).The objective was to investigate programming languages and parallel architectures for the integration of symbolic and numeric processing, and to develop a common virtual machine. The project was organized into distinct layers: application software packages; high level languages and tools; the virtual machine kernel system; and parallel architectures. The kernel system comprises an intermediate representation, currently implemented by a target machine language (TML) and its associated virtual machine code (VMC), through which all high level languages were compiled onto a range of architectures for execution. It formed a focal point of the project. Two high level lanaguage compilers were produced, together with an object oriented framework for language integration. Three types of parallel architecture were evaluated, and an investigation was conducted into novel very large scale integration VLSI architectures for efficient execution of the VMC. To demonstrate the utility of these techniques, a range of applications software was developed. Work was undertaken in parallel lanaguage definition and architectures, and in the 4 application areas of image interpretation, real time expert systems, partial differential equation solvers, and parallel relational database management systems DBMS. Evaluation of the applications on Supernode and other architectures was performed.Work was undertaken in parallel language definition and architectures, and in the four application areas of image interpretation, real-time expert systems, partial differential equation solvers, and parallel relational DBMS. Evaluation of the applicationson Supernode and other architectures was performed. Exploitations The project has achieved significant results in the area of virtual machine definition, compilers for parallel systems, object-oriented frameworks and investigations into several architectures. Hardware implementations have also been produced. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligenceexpert systemsnatural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicsmathematical analysisdifferential equationspartial differential equationsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabasesrelational databases Programme(s) FP1-ESPRIT 1 - European programme (EEC) for research and development in information technologies (ESPRIT), 1984-1988 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator Central Research Laboratories plc EU contribution No data Address Dawley Road UB3 1HH Hayes United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE Greece EU contribution No data Address KOLOKOTRONI STREET 26110 26221 PATRAI See on map Total cost No data INESC-INSTITUTO DE ENGENHARIA DE SISTEMAS E COMPUTADORES Portugal EU contribution No data Address APARTADO 10105, RUA ALVES REDOL 1017 LISBOA See on map Total cost No data PCS Computersysteme GmbH Germany EU contribution No data Address Pfälzer-Wald-Straße 36 81539 München See on map Total cost No data THOMSON CSF France EU contribution No data Address 160 BOULEVARD DE VALMY 92074 PARIS LA DEFENSE See on map Total cost No data Birkbeck College, University of London United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Malet Street, Bloomsbury WC1E 7HX London See on map Total cost No data
