A flexible model for studying the execution of dataflow programs in distributed systems

A four-stage model of the execution of dataflow graphs, the processing structure model, is presented. Each stage has its own responsibility and offers a well-defined interface to other stages. The processing structure model presents a framework for understanding, analyzing and supporting the execution of dataflow programs in a distributed system. The distributed aspects of the processing affect one or two of the four stages depending on how the stages are arranged. The model has been simulated and experimentation has been done concerning the assignment of dataflow nodes (i.e. tasks) to computer systems. Initial results from the experimentation are presented.