Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a computer software application running on a plurality of computing entities, which are members of a group of mutually-linked computing entities running the application within a distributed computing system. The method includes receiving an indication of a change in membership of the group together with a reason for the change. A membership change message is delivered to the members, so as to inform the members of the change and of the reason for the change.

Abstract: The data cache management mechanism of the present invention is created by an optimizing compiler. The optimizing compiler intelligently places non-blocking preload instructions into the instruction stream of the computer system so as to minimize both the frequency and detrimental effect of cache misses. The non-blocking preload instructions are placed into the instruction stream based on the existence of predictor constructs that foretell what information the processor will need and when it will need it. As a result, cache misses are either avoided entirely or reduced in severity.

Abstract: A system for stopping the operation of a data processing system executing control words stored in a read/write control word storage device. A special control word is stored at the control storage address where it is desired to stop operation of the processor and the regular control word at that address is stored in a service processor memory. When the control storage address containing the special control word is reached, the special control word causes the system clock to be inhibited, thereby stopping the execution of control words, an indication that the processor has been stopped is generated, and the regular control word is restored to the control word storage device from the service processor memory for resumption of system operation.

Abstract: According to the present invention, pool allocation and process assignment mechanisms create process nodal affinity in a NUMA multiprocessor system for enhanced performance. The multiprocessor system includes multiple interconnected multiprocessing nodes that each contain one or more processors and a local main memory, the system main storage being distributed among the local main memories of the multiprocessing nodes in a NUMA architecture. A pool reservation mechanism reserves pools of memory space within the logical main storage, and the pool allocation mechanism allocates those pools to real pages in the local main-memory of multiprocessing nodes. Processes to be created on the multiprocessor are given an attribute that indicates an associated pool. Upon creation, the process assignment mechanism will only assign a process to a multiprocessing node that has been allocated the pool indicated by the process' attribute.