CAREER: Multi-threaded Research and Education

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Many computer systems are multi-threaded. Traditional on-line problems abstract away the existence of multiple threads, either by collapsing multiple threads into a single thread or by reducing each thread to a single request. This project studies a new class of problems: on-line systems with multi-threaded inputs. To model multi-threaded inputs, multiple client input model where each client (thread) is represented by a directed acyclic graph (DAG) are introduced. Three practical problems investigated are the multi-threaded paging problem, where processes compete for both central processing unit (CPU) time and fast memory locations; the multi-threaded disk scheduling problem where processes and/or database transactions compete for access to the disk; and the multi-threaded operating system problem, the natural combination of these two problems. These problems generalize into the k-client problem, a dual version of the well-studied k-server problem, and the k-server l-client problem. One important goal of this research is to learn how to design a complex system such as a fast memory manager, a CPU scheduler, and a disk scheduler. In particular, determine if the algorithms and results obtained by considering each system component in isolation can be easily combined to produce new algorithms and results for the complete system. In education, there are two complementary projects. The first project deals with the process of learning how to teach. The PI applied for and received a highly competitive MSU Lilly Endowment Teaching Fellowship. In this intensive year-long program, the PI will work together with a group of five promising young faculty to learn fundamental educational principles taught by leading education scholars from around the University and around the country. The second project is to build a more cohesive curriculum emphasizing the practical importance of all topics, especially theory. This is achieved by leading a departmental effort to wr ite a comprehensive computer science textbook written in hypertext markup language (HTML). This HTML textbook will utilize hyperlinks to highlight the connections between and within courses. For example, links will connect a module on stacks and queues from a data structures course with modules from an operating systems course where these structures are used. This HTML textbook project may also supplement departmental efforts to offer distance learning courses to nontraditional students.