Practical Distributed Processing

Distributed processing has a strong theoretical foundation, but many day-to-day practitioners make limited use of the advantages this theory can give them. The result includes unreliable systems with obscure and intermittent failures, that can cost time, money and in extreme cases, lives. Reliable construction of distributed and concurrent systems must incorporate theory in practice.

This book provides a concise presentation of the theory closely linked to the practical realisation of these concepts. Practical presentation is given with examples from C, Java and Eiffel in this comprehensive textbook which contains all the elements needed for a complete development of a distributed system. Theoretical models of concurrency are linked with practical realisation of systems, providing an integrated approach to the field.

Written with undergraduates in mind, especially relevant for intermediate level students, this textbook will prove a comprehensive guide to the topic. Example code will be provided on a website.

List of contents

What is Distributed Processing?- Concepts of Concurrency.- Models of Concurrency.- Concurrency in Operating Systems.- Interprocess Communication.- Protocols.- Security.- Languages and Distributed Processing.- Building Distributed Systems.- Case Study: A Networked Game.- The End.- Exercises, Hints and Comments.- About the Example Code.- Bibliography.- Glossary.- Index.

Summary

Distributed processing has a strong theoretical foundation, but many day-to-day practitioners make limited use of the advantages this theory can give them. The result includes unreliable systems with obscure and intermittent failures, that can cost time, money and in extreme cases, lives. Reliable construction of distributed and concurrent systems must incorporate theory in practice.

This book provides a concise presentation of the theory closely linked to the practical realisation of these concepts. Practical presentation is given with examples from C, Java and Eiffel in this comprehensive textbook which contains all the elements needed for a complete development of a distributed system. Theoretical models of concurrency are linked with practical realisation of systems, providing an integrated approach to the field.

Written with undergraduates in mind, especially relevant for intermediate level students, this textbook will prove a comprehensive guide to the topic. Example code will be provided on a website.

Additional text

From the reviews:

"Brooke … attempt to summarize the most relevant theoretical and practical aspects of distributed computing in an accessible book written for upper-level undergraduate students in software-related studies. … The presence of case studies thus becomes not only a welcome addition, but a necessary (and mandatory) section, which allows one to witness meaningful examples of the application of distributed processing concepts. … The examples and case studies are modern and appropriate. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through researchers and faculty." (L. Benedicenti, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (9), 2008)

"This book aims at presenting the reader a clear overview of the process of building a distributed system including engineering processes. The aim of the book is as well to be used in engineering disciplines. It is also highlighted that protocols and security concerns are an integral part of realistic distributed system. … Finally each chapter concludes with a coherent summary and highlights a number of exercises. … It is an interesting book and should be used in undergraduate courses as a foundational text." (Aniket Mahanti, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1132 (10), 2008)

"There is a need for books and overviews to provide students (computer scientists) with a more unified picture of distributed processing. …the authors describe some practical ingredients needed for the development of a distributed system. …Technical requirements are identified, a design is presented, protocols and security aspects are discussed, and finally some implementation details are given. The last chapter consists of some reading suggestions, future directions, and projects. The volume contains exercises with sketch solutions and hints. A bibliography, a glossary, and an index are included. Internet support for students and instructors is accessible …This book provides a concise presentation of practical distributed processing" (G. Ciobanu,ACM Computing Reviews, Vol. 50 (2), 2009)

Report

From the reviews:

"Brooke ... attempt to summarize the most relevant theoretical and practical aspects of distributed computing in an accessible book written for upper-level undergraduate students in software-related studies. ... The presence of case studies thus becomes not only a welcome addition, but a necessary (and mandatory) section, which allows one to witness meaningful examples of the application of distributed processing concepts. ... The examples and case studies are modern and appropriate. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through researchers and faculty." (L. Benedicenti, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (9), 2008)
"This book aims at presenting the reader a clear overview of the process of building a distributed system including engineering processes. The aim of the book is as well to be used in engineering disciplines. It is also highlighted that protocols and security concerns are an integral part of realistic distributed system. ... Finally each chapter concludes with a coherent summary and highlights a number of exercises. ... It is an interesting book and should be used in undergraduate courses as a foundational text." (Aniket Mahanti, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1132 (10), 2008)
"There is a need for books and overviews to provide students (computer scientists) with a more unified picture of distributed processing. ...the authors describe some practical ingredients needed for the development of a distributed system. ...Technical requirements are identified, a design is presented, protocols and security aspects are discussed, and finally some implementation details are given. The last chapter consists of some reading suggestions, future directions, and projects. The volume contains exercises with sketch solutions and hints. A bibliography, a glossary, and an index are included. Internet support for students and instructors is accessible ...This book provides a concise presentation of practical distributed processing" (G. Ciobanu,ACM Computing Reviews, Vol. 50 (2), 2009)

Product details

• Authors: Phil Brooke, Phillip Brooke, Phillip J Brooke, Phillip J. Brooke, Richard F Paige, Richard F. Paige
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.2007
• EAN: 9781846288401
• ISBN: 978-1-84628-840-1
• No. of pages: 262
• Dimensions: 180 mm x 15 mm x 235 mm
• Illustrations: XIV, 262 p. 24 illus.
• Series: Undergraduate Topics in Computer Science; Undergraduate Topics in Computer Science
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > IT, data processing > IT; B, Software Engineering, computer science, Theory of Computation, Software Engineering/Programming and Operating Systems, Operating systems, Computers, Mathematical theory of computation