Special
Features:
GRID
APPLICATION FRAMEWORK FOR JAVA
What is Grid Application Framework for Java (GAF4J)?
Grid Application Framework for Java (GAF4J) is a lightweight framework that
abstracts all grid semantics from the application logic and provides a simpler
programming model that lines up smoothly with common Java programming
models.
GAF4J abstracts the details of interfacing with a grid middleware, which is
assumed to be the Globus Toolkit, for transferring files to remote nodes,
starting remote jobs, and monitoring their execution status. GAF4J provides a
simpler programming model that enables the development of maintainable Java
applications uncluttered with calls to grid services.
How does it work?
GAF4J provides a layer of abstraction on top of the underlying grid
infrastructure and provides an easy, comprehensible programming model with
minimal possible extensions. It makes it possible for the programmer to create
and trigger remote grid jobs akin to threads in existing application
paradigms.
Tasks such as file transfers, finding, and picking up the right resources
on basis of "QoS" parameters and job execution can be taken up with the normal
flow of the application logic.
Applications that create threads will now create task objects that will
encapsulate the job class that is to be executed over the grid along with
other dependencies (input/output data files, dependent JARs, etc.) absolute to
the local node on which the application runs.
These task objects can then be submitted for execution, in parallel with
the current running thread. The status of the submitted tasks is periodically
posted by the framework to a listener object in the application.
Further information is available in the GAF4J white paper.
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