Abstract: A multitasking data processing system having a plurality of tasks and a shared resource and a method of controlling allocation of shared resources within a multitasking data processing system are disclosed. In response to a resource request for a portion of a shared resource by a particular task among the plurality of tasks, a determination is made whether or not granting the resource request would cause a selected level of resource allocation to be exceeded. In response to a determination that granting the resource request would not cause the selected level of resource allocation to be exceeded, the resource request is granted. However, in response to a determination that granting the resource request would cause the selected level of resource allocation to be exceeded, execution of the particular task is suspended for a selected penalty time. In one embodiment of the present invention, the shared resource is a memory.

Abstract: A data processing system and method of task management within a self-managing application program including a number of tasks and a processing time monitor are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a selected portion of processing time is allocated to each of the tasks in the self-managing application and the tasks are executed by the data processing system. Utilizing the processing time monitor, a determination is periodically made whether an actual portion of processing time utilized by each of the tasks exceeds the selected portion of processing time allocated to that task. In response to a determination that an actual portion of processing time utilized by a particular task exceeds the selected portion of processing time allocated that task, execution of the particular task is suspended for a selected penalty time.