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Functional parallel algorithms

Published: 27 September 2010 Publication History

Abstract

Functional programming presents several important advantages in the design, analysis and implementation of parallel algorithms:
It discourages iteration and encourages decomposition.
It supports persistence and hence easy speculation.
It encourages higher-order aggregate operations.
It is well suited for defining cost models tied to the programming language rather than the machine.
Implementations can avoid false sharing.
Implementations can use cheaper weak consistency models.
And most importantly, it supports safe deterministic parallelism.
In fact functional programming supports a level of abstraction in which parallel algorithms are often as easy to design and analyze as sequential algorithms. The recent widespread advent of parallel machines therefore presents a great opportunity for functional programming languages. However, any changes will require significant education at all levels and involvement of the functional programming community.
In this talk I will discuss an approach to designing and analyzing parallel algorithms in a strict functional and fully deterministic setting. Key ideas include a cost model defined in term of analyzing work and span, the use of divide-and-conquer and contraction, the need for arrays (immutable) to achieve asymptotic efficiency, and the power of (deterministic) randomized algorithms. These are all ideas I believe can be taught at any level.

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Cited By

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  • (2015)Functional programming and hardware design: still interesting after all these yearsACM SIGPLAN Notices10.1145/2858949.278905350:9(165-165)Online publication date: 29-Aug-2015
  • (2015)Functional programming and hardware design: still interesting after all these yearsProceedings of the 20th ACM SIGPLAN International Conference on Functional Programming10.1145/2784731.2789053(165-165)Online publication date: 29-Aug-2015

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Published In

cover image ACM Conferences
ICFP '10: Proceedings of the 15th ACM SIGPLAN international conference on Functional programming
September 2010
398 pages
ISBN:9781605587943
DOI:10.1145/1863543
  • cover image ACM SIGPLAN Notices
    ACM SIGPLAN Notices  Volume 45, Issue 9
    ICFP '10
    September 2010
    382 pages
    ISSN:0362-1340
    EISSN:1558-1160
    DOI:10.1145/1932681
    Issue’s Table of Contents

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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 27 September 2010

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  1. functional programming
  2. parallel algorithms

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Overall Acceptance Rate 333 of 1,064 submissions, 31%

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Cited By

View all
  • (2015)Functional programming and hardware design: still interesting after all these yearsACM SIGPLAN Notices10.1145/2858949.278905350:9(165-165)Online publication date: 29-Aug-2015
  • (2015)Functional programming and hardware design: still interesting after all these yearsProceedings of the 20th ACM SIGPLAN International Conference on Functional Programming10.1145/2784731.2789053(165-165)Online publication date: 29-Aug-2015

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