Object-oriented decomposition for distributed systems

Conventional object-oriented design methodologies lead to a hierarchy of classes, but do not suggest which classes/objects should be loaded on which processors in a distributed system. We present the Decomposition Cost Evaluation Model (DCEM) as an approach to this problem. DCEM brings the mapping problem to a higher level of abstraction where the question is which classes, rather than which tasks, should be loaded on which processors. To support these decisions we define communication and computation cost functions for objects, classes, and hierarchies.We then introduce Confined Space Search Decomposition (CSSD) which enhances parallel operations of applications utilizing a tree topology for the processor interconnection scheme. To reduce the penalties of load imbalance, we include a distributed dynamic load balancing heuristic called Object Reincarnation (OR) in which no additional communication costs are incurred.