Program product for an application programming interface...

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer data routing – Least weight routing

Reexamination Certificate

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C709S201000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06216150

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates, in general, to application programming interfaces, and, in particular, to an application programming interface that unifies a plurality of mechanisms into a single, easy to understand protocol.
BACKGROUND ART
Typically, an application programming interface provides a user with the ability to perform a certain protocol. For example, a user may be provided with the ability to atomically broadcast messages to all of the other users in the computer system or the user may be provided with the ability to synchronize events.
Each protocol typically has its own application programming interface. Thus, the user needs to be familiar with various interfaces in order to perform various techniques. This proves cumbersome to the user. Thus, a need exists for an application programming interface that can unify multiple protocols into one integrated and easy to use framework. In particular, a need exists for a single application programming interface that can unify communications protocols and synchronization protocols.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a single application programming interface, which includes means for communicating between a member of a process group of related processes and another member of the process group, and means for synchronizing the related processes of the process group.
In a further embodiment, the single application programming interface includes means for managing membership of the process group or a processor group of processors. In yet a further embodiment, the single application programming interface includes means for controlling a group state value for the process group.
The single application programming interface of the present invention advantageously unifies a plurality of mechanisms into a single, unified framework. This provides an easy to understand and versatile protocol.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention.


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