# 2.3. Semantic Terms

Up: MPI Terms and Conventions Next: Data Types Previous: Procedure Specification

When discussing MPI procedures the following semantic terms are used. The first two are usually applied to communication operations.

{ nonblocking}
  If the procedure may return before the operation completes, and before the user is allowed to re-use resources (such as buffers) specified in the call.
{ blocking}
  If return from the procedure indicates the user is allowed to re-use resources specified in the call.
{ local}
  If completion of the procedure depends only on the local executing process. Such an operation does not require communication with another user process.
{ non-local}
  If completion of the operation may require the execution of some MPI procedure on another process. Such an operation may require communication occurring with another user process.
{ collective}
  If all processes in a process group need to invoke the procedure.

Up: MPI Terms and Conventions Next: Data Types Previous: Procedure Specification

Return to MPI 1.1 Standard Index
Return to MPI-2 Standard Index
Return to MPI Forum Home Page

MPI-1.1 of June 12, 1995
HTML Generated on August 6, 1997