The structure of the “THE”-multiprogramming system

@article{Dijkstra1968TheSO,
  title={The structure of the “THE”-multiprogramming system},
  author={Edsger W. Dijkstra},
  journal={Commun. ACM},
  year={1968},
  volume={11},
  pages={341-346}
}
  • E. Dijkstra
  • Published 1 May 1968
  • Computer Science
  • Commun. ACM
A multiprogramming system is described in which all activities are divided over a number of sequential processes. These sequential processes are placed at various hierarchical levels, in each of which one or more independent abstractions have been implemented. The hierarchical structure proved to be vital for the verification of the logical soundness of the design and the correctness of its implementation. 
View on ACM
cs.duke.edu
1,200 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
17
Background Citations
230
Methods Citations
94
Results Citations
2

1,200 Citations

A Report on “ The Structure of the THE Multiprogramming System ” by Edsger
Description of the entire system in terms of abstract cooperating sequential processes and use of semaphores for explicit synchronization among different processes make it possible to establish…
On the use of generalized executive system software
  • W. Gorman
  • Computer Science
    AFIPS National Computer Conference
  • 1973
TLDR
The characteristic of third generation computing systems that most distinguishes them from previous ones is that they are designed to perform multiprogramming, which is cost-effective utilization of computer hardware.
Modularization and hierarchy in a family of operating systems
This paper describes the design philosophy used in the construction of a family of operating systems. It is shown that the concepts of module and level do not coincide in a hierarchy of functions.…
A large semaphore based operating system
TLDR
The design principle is an alternative to Dijkstra's hierarchical structuring of operating systems and is proved to be free of “deadly embrace” (deadlock).
The design of a meta-system
TLDR
The design of the Meta-system, a tool that will measure and evaluate the computer system while it is in operation, as an aid to further development or optimization for a particular usage is presented.
A multitasking executive for operating systems courses
TLDR
This paper presents the design of a multitasking executive for a course on computer operating systems, a preempt multitask one, which implements semaphore as a synchronisation tool of concurrent programs.
The synchronization of independent processes
TLDR
An algorithm is given which implements a powerful synchronizing primitive under very weak assumptions about the nature of interprocess communication, and a careful informal proof of its correctness is given.
System Deadlocks
TLDR
This article surveys the work that has been done on the treatment of deadlocks from both the theoretical and practical points of view.
Process selection in a hierarchical operating system
TLDR
A new model for use in scheduling processes for the sharing of a processor, applicable for various modes of operation and significantly useful only within a well-defined system hierarchy is presented.
Use of the concept of transparency in the design of hierarchically structured systems
TLDR
A method for evaluating the cost of requiring programmers to work with an abstraction of a real machine is developed and examples from hardware and software are given as illustrations of the method.
...
...

References

SHOWING 1-3 OF 3 REFERENCES
The structure of the “THE”-multiprogramming system
TLDR
A multiprogramming system is described in which all activities are divided over a number of sequential processes, in each of which one or more independent abstractions have been implemented.
Additional information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/THE_(operating_sys tem) ● Pictures from
  • Additional information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/THE_(operating_sys tem) ● Pictures from
Animations for Operating Systems, Sixth Edition by William Stallings, available at http:// williamstallings.com/OS/Animation/Animations
  • Animations for Operating Systems, Sixth Edition by William Stallings, available at http:// williamstallings.com/OS/Animation/Animations