Dynamic computer structures for manifold utilization

Abstract

The question is raised, whether flexibility of computer structures, which proved to be a fruitful concept in computer history, can be extended to an elegible utilization of different operation modes like General Purpose Processor (GPP), High Level Language Processor (HLL), Reduction Automation (RED), Data Flow Processor (FLO), Associative Parallel Processor (APP), Cellular Automation (CEL), and e.g. Digital Differential Analyser (DDA). It is argued that all these principles (each one having a certain merit) are not incompatible on principle. Instead it seems to be possible to create a Standard-Processor STP, which unifies the many different operation modes. These modes are made eligible by the programmer. The resulting performance will not be the highest possible one with respect to one specific operation mode. Nevertheless the performance will be higher on an average over all modes than it could be achieved e.g. if one tries to transpose a typical APP-Problem onto a conventional GPP-Processor (or to transpose in a reverse direction!) The STP is not designed in detail. The paper is thought to be rather a stimulus to investigate a universal hardware set of registers, control, and logic circuits which admit quite different interpretation modes in computing.