Call for papers with option to participate in development of OPL

Cheri Helregel, Outreach Coordinator
Parallel@Illinois | UPCRC Illinois

ILLINOIS, USA: Parallel programming enthusiasts are invited to submit papers for ParaPLoP 2011, a PLoP-style workshop on parallel programming patterns to be held May 10-12 in Carefree, Arizona. ParaPLoP 2011 also offers an opportunity for authors to participate in developing OPL – Our Pattern Language.

The Universal Parallel Computing Research Centers at Illinois and Berkeley have been collaborating to develop OPL, a pattern language for parallel programming. OPL covers the entire process of developing a parallel program which begins with patterns for software architecture and for problem domains that often require parallelization.

It continues with patterns for parallel algorithm design, for common structures for implementing parallel algorithms, and low-level patterns for controlling concurrent execution. The project is more ambitious than Design Patterns and has the potential to make an even bigger impact. The collaborators are looking for people who want to help in the development of OPL by contributing patterns, criticizing existing patterns, or by using the patterns and providing feedback. More information about OPL is available online.

Much like PLoP, ParaPLoP 2011 will be organized as a set of writers’ workshops. ParaPLoP is extremely interactive and begins with the submission process. Submissions are due April 15, 2011, but if authors submit earlier, then they will receive feedback and can resubmit.

Papers can:
* describe one or more patterns,
* outline a pattern language,
* analyze previously published patterns,
* describe case studies of using patterns to develop parallel software,
* or present experience mining patterns from significant parallel code implementations.

Papers should be less than 15 pages. The only exceptions will be papers on pattern languages, in which case authors will need to select a subsection small enough to review in a writers’ workshop. Papers do not need to be related to Our Pattern Language (OPL), but many will.

Space permitting, non-authors will be allowed to attend ParaPLoP 2011.