Parallel Parlog V1.5 ==================== (Note: Create a new directory before un-tarring the distribution file since the files are created in the current directory.) 1. Introduction --------------- Parallel Parlog is a portable implementation of Parlog designed to run on shared memory multiprocessors. The implementation is based on an abstract machine called the "JAM" (Jim's Abstract Machine). The basic system comprises a JAM emulator, written in C; a Parlog to JAM compiler, written in Parlog, and a programming environment including a query interpreter also written in Parlog. The environment has been developed to provide a Prolog-like interface similar to that provided by Quintus and Sicstus Prolog's, for example, most builtin predicates are based on equivalent Prolog predicates. Details of the environment can be found in the Parallel Parlog User Manual. Various utilities are provided with the system and some examples of Parlog programs are also given. Finally, the distribution includes an object oriented extension to Parlog called Polka. Version 1.5 contains many bug fixes to version 1.4 as well as introducing new primitives/features such as * the "channel" abstraction for merging streams * recognition of escape characters within atoms * primitives to access environment variables * ability to define a search path for files * recognition of meta-characters in filenames * background processing * startup file processing 2. Contents of This Directory ----------------------------- README - this file Makefile - makefile to create an executable system doc - user manual emulator - the JAM emulator and some header files parlog.sed - template file for the parlog script examples - example Parlog programs intro - simple programs bench - benchmark programs system - Parlog system files including: boot.o - the boot file comp - compiler files env - environment files utilities - various Parlog utilities foreign - make interfaces to C routines pshell - a shell like user interface spm - SPM compatibility routines tracer - a Parlog tracer polka - the Polka system doc - Polka user manual examps - simple Polka programs screen - a larger example program 3. Installation --------------- To make a working Parallel Parlog system, a 'parlog' shell script must be generated that invokes the emulator, passing it the path of the "boot file" which executes on startup. The 'parlog' shell script can be generated by typing 'make parlog' in this directory. The script will be placed in /usr/local/bin by default. The destination directory can be changed by editing the BINDIR variable in the Makefile or invoking make with 'make BINDIR= parlog'. Should you wish to relocate this directory, you can do so by editing the BASEDIR variable in the Makefile and then typing 'make install'. This command will automatically generate the parlog script once the files in this directory have been copied to their new location. Typing 'make' alone will produce a summary of these make options. ====================== Contact: Damian Chu (dac@doc.ic.ac.uk) Dept. of Computing Imperial College 180 Queens Gate London SW7 2BZ UK