Showing papers on "Task (computing) published in 1973"

Allocation Processes with Variable Channel Queues

Abstract: A dynamic model is formulated for determining optimum operating policies in a variable channel queuing situation. Such policies are required when workers must be allocated to one of several jobs which have associated with them different waiting costs. In this model, two such jobs are considered: a a “queue job” i.e., serving customers in a queue, and b performing another task which does not involve waiting customers called “fixed work”. The criterion of the model is a minimization of the sum of these costs: the cost of customer waiting, the cost of fixed work, and the cost of changing tasks. Decision rules involving the assignment of workers depended upon the number of waiting customers, the anticipated arrival pattern, and the amount of uncompleted fixed work remaining. The model was run using arrival and service data obtained from a medium sized suburban bank together with implicitly derived cost data.

ARGOS: An operating system for a computer utility supporting interactive instrument control

Abstract: “ARGOS” (ARGonne Operating System), which runs on a Xerox Sigma 5 hardware configuration, provides a dynamic multiprogrammed environment which supports the following: data acquisition and interactive control for numerous (currently 19) independently running on-line laboratory experiments; three interactive graphics terminals; FORTRAN IV-H executing at each of 23 remote time-shared terminals; a jobstream from open-shop batch processing; long-term low priority computations (100 CPU hours). The system guarantees the protection of each user's interests by the utilization of the hardware memory-protection feature, internal clocks and disallowing the execution of privileged instructions by user programs. The system is interrupt-driven, with each task running to completion, contingent on its priority. System resources are provided on a first come first served basis, except that rotating memory is queued by request position. System CALLs provide users full access to hardware capability, thus providing user-directed file formats and insuring a minimum of system overhead. However, at some sacrifice in overhead, the user can make use of FORTRAN record-blocking. Core memory, disk space and magnetic tape usage, are assigned dynamically. Parametrization of the system is such that terminal characteristics are specified (one parameter card/terminal) at boot-in time (once/week after preventive maintenance).