Course pages 2017–18
Multicore Semantics and Programming
Principal lecturers: Prof Peter Sewell, Dr Timothy Harris
Taken by: MPhil ACS, Part III
Code: R204
Hours: 16 (8 × two-hour blocks, including 2 × one-hour practical sessions)
Class limit: 16 students
Prerequisites: Some familiarity with discrete mathematics (sets, partial orders, etc.) and with sequential Java
programming will be assumed. Experience with operational semantics and with some concurrent programming
would be helpful.
Aims
In recent years multiprocessors have become ubiquitous, but building reliable concurrent systems with good performance remains very challenging. The aim of this module is to introduce some of the theory and the practice of concurrent programming, from hardware memory models and the design of high- level programming languages to the correctness and performance properties of concurrent algorithms.
Syllabus
Part 1: Introduction and relaxed-memory concurrency (Peter Sewell)
- Introduction. Sequential consistency, atomicity, basic concurrent problems. [1 block]
- Concurrency on real multiprocessors: the relaxed memory model(s) for x86, ARM, and IBM Power, and theoretical tools for reasoning about x86-TSO programs. [2 blocks]
- High-level languages. An introduction to C/C++11 and Java shared-memory concurrency. [1 block]
Part 2: Concurrent algorithms (Tim Harris)
- Concurrent programming. Simple algorithms (readers/writers, stacks, queues) and correctness criteria (linearisability and progress properties). Advanced synchronisation patterns (e.g. some of the following: optimistic and lazy list algorithms, hash tables, double-checked locking, RCU, hazard pointers), with discussion of performance and on the interaction between algorithm design and the underlying relaxed memory models. [3 blocks]
- Research topics, likely to include one hour on transactional memory and one guest lecture. [1 block]
Objectives
On completion of this module, students should:
- have a good understanding of the semantics of concurrent programs, both at the multprocessor level and the C/Java programming language level;
- have a good understanding of some key concurrent algorithms, with practical experience.
Coursework
Coursework will consist of assessed exercises.
Practical work
Part 2 of the course will include a practical exercise sheet. The practical exercises involve building concurrent data structures and measuring their performance. The work can be completed in C, Java, or similar languages.
Assessment
The assessment will be based on assessed coursework exercises (75%) and practical reports (25%).
Recommended reading
Herlihy, M. & Shavit, N. (2008). The art of multiprocessor programming. Morgan Kaufmann.
The 1B Semantics of Programming Languages lecture notes.