Parallel processing in the 1990´s: the promise and the pitfalls (Panel Session)

A panel session organized to project what changes might occur in the near future to make parallel computers easier to program and use and to explore how such computers could benefit many application areas is reported. The following questions are discussed: (1) what type of applications will benefit on a widespread basis from improved performance; (1) whether serial and parallel programming will be integrated for greater reusability and portability; and (3) whether parallel computers will replace serial computers and, if so, what is needed so that concurrency can be handled more easily