Integrating Functional and Imperative Parallel Programming: C++ Solutions to the Salishan Problems

Abstract

We investigate the practical integration of functional and imperative parallel programming in the context of a popular sequential object-based language. As the basis of our investigation, we develop solutions to the Salishan Problems, a set of problems intended as a standard by which to compare parallel programming notations. The language that we use is CC++, C++ extended with single- assignment variables, parallel composition, and atomic functions. We demonstrate how deterministic parallel programs can be written that are identical--except for the addition of a few keywords--to sequential programs that satisfy the same specifications.