Mechanisms for Reliable Distributed Real-Time Operating Systems: The Alpha Kernel deals with the Alpha kernel, a set of mechanisms that support the construction of reliable, modular, decentralized operating systems for real-time control applications. An initial snapshot of the kernel design and implementation is provided. Comprised of seven chapters, this volume begins with a background on the Alpha operating system kernel and its implementation, followed by a description of the programming abstractions created for the Alpha kernel. The third chapter defines the client interface provided by the kernel in support of the given programming abstractions, while the fourth chapter focuses on the functional design of the kernel. The hardware on which the kernel was constructed, as well as the implications of this hardware on the design and implementation of the kernel, is also examined. The final chapter compares Alpha with other relevant operating systems such as Hydra, Cronus, Eden, Argus, Accent, and Locus. This book will appeal to computer scientists, systems designers, and undergraduate and graduate students of computer science.

In general, distributed systems can be classified into Distributed File Systems (DFS) and Distributed Operating Systems (DOS). The survey which follows distinguishes be tween DFS approaches in Chapters 2-3, and DOS approaches in Chapters 4-5. Within DFS and DOS, I further distinguish "traditional" and object-oriented approaches. A traditional approach is one where processes are the active components in the systems and where the name space is hierarchically organized. In a centralized environment, UNIX would be a good example of a traditional approach. On the other hand, an object-oriented approach deals with objects in which all information is encapsulated. Some systems of importance do not fit into the DFS/DOS classification. I call these systems "closely related" and put them into Chapter 6. Chapter 7 contains a table of comparison. This table gives a lucid overview summarizing the information provided and allowing for quick access. The last chapter is added for the sake of completeness. It contains very brief descriptions of other related systems. These systems are of minor interest or do not provide transparency at all. Sometimes I had to assign a system to this chapter simply for lack of adequate information about it.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the International Conference on Embedded and Ubiquitous Computing, EUC 2007, held in Taipei, Taiwan, in December 2007. The 65 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 217 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections. They include sections on power aware computing, reconfigurable embedded systems, wireless networks, real-time/embedded operating systems, and embedded system architectures.

This book presents the proceedings of the Distributed Ada '89 Symposium held at the University of Southampton in December. The objective of the symposium was to provide a platform for developers and users with experience in the areas of distributed and parallel environments to reveal the advantages and difficulties encountered. The impact of Ada-9X and other enhancements to the language were also explored.

Software Engineer's Reference Book provides the fundamental principles and general approaches, contemporary information, and applications for developing the software of computer systems. The book is comprised of three main parts, an epilogue, and a comprehensive index. The first part covers the theory of computer science and relevant mathematics. Topics under this section include logic, set theory, Turing machines, theory of computation, and computational complexity. Part II is a discussion of software development methods, techniques and technology primarily based around a conventional view of the software life cycle. Topics discussed include methods such as CORE, SSADM, and SREM, and formal methods including VDM and Z. Attention is also given to other technical activities in the life cycle including testing and prototyping. The final part describes the techniques and standards which are relevant in producing particular classes of application. The text will be of great use to software engineers, software project managers, and students of computer science.

includes the 6 papers presented by researchers at JPL of the California Institute of Technology at the Technology 2000 Conference. Includes: integrated information retrieval and document management system, macro-micro robot for precise force applications, a fault-tolerant intelligent robot control system, constraint checking during error recovery, the data egg: a new solution to text entry barriers, and a multi-beam range imager for autonomous operations.

This book contains the proceedings of the 1989 Ada-Europe conference. These meetings constitute the most significant events in this field within Europe, and attract delegates from around the world. The theme of this year's conference is design methods; this is of major importance since both Ada compilers and the applications built with Ada are huge. Papers in this volume, which have all been carefully refereed, study the design methods within Ada, and how they may need to be augmented with additional methods and tools where necessary. They make informed and essential reading for all involved in the use of Ada in industry and research.

Computing systems researchers confront two serious problems. (1) The increasingly monolithic, or pseudo-monolithic, integration of complex com puting functions and systems imposes an environment which integrates ad vanced principles and techniques from a broad variety of fields. Researchers not only must confront the increased complexity of topics in their specialty field but also must develop a deeper general understanding of a broadening number of fields. (2) There has been a proliferation of journals, books, workshops and conferences through which research results are reported. Remaining familiar with recent advances in our specific fields is a major challenge. Casually browsing through journals and conference proceedings to remain aware of developments in areas outside our specialization has become an even greater challenge. Frontiers of Computing Systems Research has been established to ad dress these two issues. With the assistance of an advisory board of experts from a wide variety of specialized areas, we hope to provide roughly annual volumes of invited chapters on a broad range of topics and designed for an interdisciplinary research audience. No single volume can cover all the rel evant topics and no single article can convey the full set of directions being pursued within a given topic. For this reason, a chapter listing technical reports available from universities is also included. Often, such unpub lished reports are designed for a general research audience and provide a good, informal look at trends in specialized research topics.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Third International Conference on Embedded Software and Systems, ICESS 2007, held in Daegu, Korea, May 2007. The 75 revised full papers cover embedded architecture, embedded hardware, embedded software, HW-SW co-design and SoC, multimedia and HCI, pervasive/ubiquitous computing and sensor network, power-aware computing, real-time systems, security and dependability, and wireless communication.

NATO's Division of Scientific and Environmental Affairs sponsored this Advan ced Study Institute because it was felt to be timely to cover this important and challengjng subject for the first time in the framework of NATO's ASI programme. The significance of real-time systems in everyones' life is rapidly growing. The vast spectrum of these systems can be characterised by just a few examples of increasing complexity: controllers in washing machines, air traffic control systems, control and safety systems of nuclear power plants and, finally, future military systems like the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). The import ance of such systems for the well-being of people requires considerable efforts in research and development of highly reliable real-time systems. Furthermore, the competitiveness and prosperity of entire nations now depend on the early app lication and efficient utilisation of computer integrated manufacturing systems (CIM), of which real-time systems are an essential and decisive part. Owing to its key significance in computerised defence systems, real-time computing has also a special importance for the Alliance. The early research and development activities in this field in the 1960s and 1970s aimed towards improving the then unsatisfactory software situation. Thus, the first high-level real-time languages were defined and developed: RTL/2, Coral 66, Procol, LTR, and PEARL. In close connection with these language develop ments and with the utilisation of special purpose process control peripherals, the research on real-time operating systems advanced considerably.