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Distributed Computation as Hierarchy

Michael Manthey
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Abstract

This paper presents a new distributed computational model of distributed systems called the phase web that extends V. Pratt's orthocurrence relation from 1986. The model uses mutual-exclusion to express sequence, and a new kind of hierarchy to replace event sequences, posets, and pomsets. The model explicitly connects computation to a discrete Clifford algebra that is in turn extended into homology and co-homology, wherein the recursive nature of objects and boundaries becomes apparent and itself subject to hierarchical recursion. Topsy, a programming environment embodying the phase web, is available from www.cs.auc.dk/topsy.

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Michael Manthey. 1998-09-14. Distributed Computation as Hierarchy. https://arxiv.org/abs/cs/9809019

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