Method and Means for the Sharing of Data Resources in a Multiprocessing, Multiprogramming Environment

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in the methods of operating general purpose digital computing systems on one or more programs at the same time. More specifically, the present invention relates to dynamically controlling access to and maintaining the integrity of resources shared by different programs executing on one or more central electronic complexes while minimizing communication of sharing control parameters between different central electronic complexes.

In large data base systems where many work units or subtasks have a need to share access to the same records, there is a need to manage concurrent access to maintain integrity of the data.

One prior art approach to data sharing is illustrated by the concurrent accessing of a VSAM (Virtual Sequential Access Method) data set by two or more subtasks within a single partition, by two or more job steps (partitions), and by any number of users (cross-system sharing). As is explained in VSAM Primer and Reference, IBM Publication G320-5774-01 (1979), at pages 95-97, various options are available for opening a data set for either read or write.

In VSAM cross-partition/region sharing the option is defined by the SHARE OPTIONS parameter of the DEFINE command when the VSAM data set is defined. By a first option, a data set may be opened by only one user for output processing (to update or add records), or by multiple users for read operations only. By this option, full read and write integrity is provided. In a second option, a data set can be opened by one user for output processing and by multiple users for read-only processing. In this option, write integrity is provided, but read integrity is not, as users can read a record that is in the process of being updated. In a third option, a data set can be opened by any number of users for both read and write operations, and no integrity (read or write) is provided by VSAM.

In VSAM cross-systems sharing, by a first option, a data set can be opened by any number of users for both read and write operation, and no integrity is provided by VSAM. In a second option, a data set can be opened by any number of users for both read and write operations--however, VSAM provides a new buffer for each direct processing request, and RESERVE and RELEASE macros must be issued by users to maintain data set integrity.

In each of the above options, except the first, the user of VSAM must maintain data set integrity, issuing the required ENQ/DEQ or RESERVE/RELEASE macros.

In the prior art IBM IMS/VS product, the issuance of such macros is a function of the Program Isolation facility. (See IMS/VS Version 1 Primer, Program Number 5740-XX2, IBM Publication SH 20-9145-0, pages 3.12-3.14, G320-5771-02, pages 41-46, and S320-5767-01, pages 3.12-3.13; and IMS/VS Version 1 Recovery/Restart, IBM Publication GG24-1515-00, pages 6.1-6.4, B.1-B.21.) However, this facility does not provide for multiple concurrent access to common data by users executing on different central electronic complexes (CEC's), resulting in a significant impediment to the efficient use of data bases by large organizations.

One prior art approach to enabling multiple concurrent access to common data is S. B. Behman, et al, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 280,648, filed July 6, 1981, a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser No. 965,810, filed Dec. 4, 1978 (abandoned), for External Enqueue Facility for Access to Sharable Data Facilities. Behman, et al, is a concurrency notification facility. External Enqueue Facility (EEF) 5 maintains for each member CPU and congruence class an interest bit. When set, the interest bit indicates that the CPU holds or is waiting for a lock on a data resource of the corresponding concurrence class. Each CPU includes an Internal Enqueue Facility (IEF), which maintains for each congruence class a lock bit. Request for access to data resource is granted by the CPU if the corresponding lock bit in the IEF is set; but if not set, the request must be communicated first to the EEF and thence to other CPU's showing in the EEF an interest in the congruence class of the request. The Behman system is, in effect, a concurrency notifier, there being no structure described for controlling concurrent access. Furthermore, the EEF structure is implemented either in a separate hardware device or in one of the CPU's. A failure in the EEF effectively prevents communication between the CPU's and processing of any data resource access request by any of the CPU's: there being no provision in each CPU for maintaining locks held by failed CPU's or the EEF for subsequent recovery.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an improved method and structure for controlling concurrent access to data resources by multiple users on the same and/or different central electronic complexes (CEC's).

It is a further object of the invention to provide a locking structure which enables recovery from subsystem, communication, and lock manager failures.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved communication protocol for optimizing the communication of lock data between CEC's concurrently accessing data resources.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for operating a general purpose computing system to control the allocation of data, communication, and computing resources among plural users in a multiprogramming and multiprocessor environment.

According to this invention, a computing system, including plural central electronic complexes, processes one or more programs concurrently. Access to resources shared by programs executing on one or more central electronic complexes is controlled with minimum communication of sharing control parameters between central electronic complexes by the method of:

maintaining within each said complex the interest state of each complex with respect to each resource congruence class, with a complex having an interest in a congruence class if it has previously granted access to a resource within the congruence class;

generating within a first complex a request for access to a resource having a resource key and a resource congruence class;

determining the interest state of said first complex and of a second complex in the resource congruence class of the access request;

responsive to the determination that the first complex has an interest and the second complex does not have an interest in the resource congruence class of the access request, processing the access request within the first complex without communication with the second complex;

responsive to the second complex having an interest in the resource congruence class of the access request, communicating the access request to the second complex for additional processing;

responsive to neither complex having an interest in the resource congruence class of the access request, communicating the new interest state of the first complex in the resource congruence class of the access request to the second complex, and processing the access request within the first complex; and

the processing of the access request selectively granting, denying, or waiting access to the resource.

By a further aspect of the invention, the processing of a request for access to a resource having a resource name and resource congruence class is further characterized by operating a central electronic complex according to the steps of:

responsive to the determination of the complex has an interest in the congruence class of the access request, accessing a congruence class file having the resource keys of all resources within the congruence class previously accessed and not yet released, and searching for the resource key of access request to determine the lock state of the resource to which access is sought;

responsive to the determination that the resource key of the access request has a null lock state, granting access to the resource and adding the resource key to the congruence class file with a held lock state;

responsive to the determination that the resource of the access request has a held lock state which is compatible with the access request, granting access to the resource;

responsive to the determination that the resource of the access request has a held lock state which is incompatible with the access request, selectively denying access, or waiting access to the resource by adding a wait access state to the congruence class file for the resource key.

By a further aspect of the invention, a prior request for access to a resource having a resource key is processed by operating a first central electronic complex according to the steps of:

responsive to release of a held lock state logged for another request for access to the same resource key, determining if a waited access request exists for the same resource key;

responsive to the existence of a waited access requeste logged by the first complex, granting access to the resource to the prior request clearing the wait access state, and logging a corresponding held lock state to the congruence class file for the resource key;

responsive to existence of a waited access request logged by a second complex, clearing the wait access state from the congruence class file and communicating to the second complex the availability of the resource of the prior request for accessing.

FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic representation of typical computing system configuration for operation according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagrammatic view of resource lock manager of FIG. 1.

The invention provides a computer structure and method for operating a general purpose computer for sharing data resources while maintaining integrity and recoverability from failures, all with optimum utilization of such computing resources as storage, communication, and computing facilities.

The invention is substantially embodied in a resource lock manager module, structured to operate a general purpose computing system according to the method of the invention. The resource lock manager functions include the following procedures:

These procedures will be described in connection with the pseudocode representation of the invention in Tables 4 through 16, below. The above procedures use the following data objects:

These data objects will be described in connection with FIG. 2, which sets forth a typical configuration of an IRLM 61, 62 and is useful in explaining the relationships between these data structures for various data sharing and failure modes. The RHB, RLB, WHB, and SIDB chains are dynamically structured within each central electronic complex (CEC), as will be more fully described.

FIG. 1 is a representation of a typical system with plural central electronic complexes (CEC's) 11, 12 sharing access to data stored in Direct Access Storage Devices (DASD) 13 and 14. Within each complex 11, 12 is a real or virtual address space, including a number of data storage and program areas. Those pertinent to the operation of the system according to the method of the invention are illustrated in FIG. 1 and include a host operating system 21, 22; one or more information management systems (IMS) 31-34; a buffer pool 41-44 for each IMS; a data base recovery control (DBRC) system 51, 52; and an IMS resource lock manager (IRLM) 61, 62.

Each IMS 31-34 is adapted for communication with one of transaction log tapes 71-74. Complexes 11, 12 are interconnected by communications controller 27 (or, alternatively, by a channel-to-channel adapter) and are loosely coupled through shared DASD's 13, 14 and control data set 57.

Each central electronic complex 11, 12 comprises a general purpose central processing unit--together with main storage and virtual storage devices, and the necessary channels and peripheral equipment, such as the IBM System/360 or IBM System/370, the architecture of which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,400,371 by G. M. Amdahl, et al, entitled, "Data Processing System", and in IBM System/370 Principles of Operation, IBM Publication GA22-7000-6.

Each complex 11, 12 operates under control of an operating system 21, 22, such as the IBM System/360 and 370 Operating Systems, IBM Publications GS 22-6534, GC 28-0661, and GC 20-1800. IMS's 31-34 execute under control of their respective operating systems 21, 22--and utilize these operating system facilities for interfacing communications controller 27, which may be, for example, an IBM 3705 Communications Controller. An implementation of this invention enhances the IBM IMS/VS, program product number 5740-XX2 as described in IBM Publication SH20-9145-0, to provide a new and useful method for sharing of data on DASD devices 13, 14 between IMS's 31-34 executing on the same or different CEC's 11, 12.

Data base recovery control (DBRC) modules 51, 52 on each CEC share a control data set 57, which may reside on a direct access storage device, such as an IBM 3350. An example of a DBRC is the IBM IMS/VS Data Base Recovery Control Feature, program number 5740-XX2, described in IBM Publication SH35-0027-1, as modified to operate a computing system according to the invention, described in C. A. Carr, et al, "Method and Means for the Retention of Locks Across System, Subsystem, and Communication Failures in a Multiprocessing, Multiprogramming, Shared Data Environment", U.S. patent application Ser. No. 194,506, filed Oct. 6, 1980.

Referring further to FIG. 1, the operation of a typical computing system, including two CEC's 11, 12, will be described. Assuming that no failure conditions exist, one or more application programs (not shown) execute in a multiprogramming environment on each CEC, each one under control of one of IMS's 31-34.

When an application work unit executing under IMS 31, for example, requires access to a data resource residing, for example, on DASD 13, IMS 31 will generate a lock request for communication to IRLM 61, as is represented by control path 35. A lock request includes the information in Table 1.

The Key field gives the name of the data base record, or resource, to which access is required. The Hash field gives the hash class, or congruence class of the resource--which is determined by any one of a number of hashing techniques available in the prior art, such as described in Behman, et al, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 965,810, filed Dec. 4, 1978 (abandoned), supra. The State field specifies one of eight lock states and is used to determine resultant state and compatibility when a data resource is being locked by more than one work unit. In order to permit a data resource to be locked more than once by a given work unit, when a work unit locks a resource for a second time, specifying a different state than for the first lock request, the state in which the lock is finally held should be one that carries the privileges of the second state without losing those conferred by the first. This permits a nonhierarchical privilege order, where each higher state does not necessarily include all the privileges of the preceding one.

The state value from the lock request State field, and that of the prior lock request by the same work unit for the same resource, are used to enter the following resultant state matrix to obtain a third state. The lock request is then processed in IRLM 61 as a request for the third state.

When more than one work unit is accessing the same resource, the following matrix is used to determine if the lock request states are compatible (x indicates incompatibility).

Returning to Table 1, Lock Request, the SIDB Addr field specifies the location in memory of the system identifier block and is used to access the work header block (WHB) chain in IRLM 61, as will be described more fully hereafter. The Option field specifies whether the lock request is conditional or unconditional. If the "conditional" option is specified and the IRLM determines that the resource was previously locked in an incompatible state (as determined by Table 3), the work unit will be notified that the lock cannot be granted. However, if the "unconditional" option is specified, the lock requested will be waited, and the work unit only notified when the incompatible state is released and the waited request granted.

In processing the lock request, IRLM 61 may communicate with IRLM 62 along the control/data path 25, 21, 22, 23, 27, 24, 26. The conditions under which such communication is necessary or avoided will be more fully described hereafter, as will be the structure and steps for granting the locks.

Once the lock is granted by IRLM 61 to IMS 31, it accesses the desired data in DASD 13 over line 81, and reads the data into its buffer pool 41. At an appropriate commit point in the processing of the data by the application work unit, the data is written back out to DASD 13 and IRLM 61 notified to release the locks.

In a similar manner, IMS's 31-34 cooperate with IRLM's 61, 62 to access data on DASD's 13, 14 and operate on the data stored in buffer pools 41-44.

Each IMS 31-34 maintains a log of all transactions on log tapes 71-74, respectively, for recovery in the event of a failure. Data base recovery control facilities 51, 52 share access to control data set 57, and cooperate with IMS's 31-34 to control the recovery of a data base in the event of a system or other failure.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a description of IRLM 61 will be given, defining the primary data objects used in operating the computing system according to the method of the invention.

Resource Lock Request Parameter List (RLPL) 110 is used by IMS 31, 33 to submit a request to IRLM 61. It includes, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, a 32-bit resource hash value 210, a 32-byte resource name, a 4-byte SIDB address 211, an 8-byte work unit ID, a 1-byte requested lock state, and an option indicator (conditional or unconditional).

Master Control Block (MCB) 112 provides address pointers 201-205, 261 to the following structures and chains: RHT 114, GHT 116, RGHT 118, ISL 120, SIDB 122 (the first in the SIDB 122, 124 chain 212), and RLB 161 (the first in the chain 262-263 of wait RLB's 161, 165, 167 corresponding to requests from the other IRLM 62).

Resource Hash Table (RHT) 114 contains herein 512 entries. Each entry is 8 bytes long and includes a 32-bit mask (4 bytes) and a 4-byte pointer (such as 220, 222) to the first RHB (140 and 144, respectively) in the corresponding RHT hash class (also referred to as a hash group or a congruence class). Each bit in the RHT bit mask corresponds to one of the 16,384, entries in the GHT, infra, and, when set, serves as the private use indicator discussed more fully hereafter.

Global Hash Table (GHT) 116 contains herein 16,384 entries, each entry being one byte long, with each bit thereof assigned to correspond to one IRLM identifier (IRLMID). In the best mode description of the invention provided herein, only two bits are utilized, however, corresponding to IRLMID=1 for IRLM 61, and IRLMID=2 for IRLM 62. A bit on in a GHT 116 entry means that the IRLM 61, 62 with the corresponding IRLMID is holding and/or waiting for a lock on at least one resource that hashes into that GHT 116 entry.

Retained Locks Global Hash Table (RGHT) 118 contains herein 16,384 entries. As with GHT 116, each entry in RGHT 118 is one byte long, with two bits (0 and 1) utilized in this embodiment and bit 0 corresponding to IRLMID=1 for IRLM 61, and bit 1 corresponding to IRLMID=2 for IRLM 62. A bit on in a RGHT 118 entry means that the IRLM 61, 62 with the corresponding IRLMID was holding and/or waiting for a lock on at least one resource that hashed into the GHT entry corresponding to this RGHT entry at the time that IRLM failed (abnormally terminated). No new lock requests may be granted against locks that hash into a RGHT entry that has any bit on.

Identified Subsystem List (ISL) 120 provides a list of entries defined by the IDENT procedure. Each IRLM 61, 62 contains a copy of ISL 120, which shows all IMS's 31-34 associated with both IRLM's. An entry contains:

(1) an 8-byte IMS 31-34 name

(2) the IRLMID of the IRLM 61, 62 to which the IMS 31-34 is or was last connected.

(3) a one byte "retained by QUIT RETAIN" mask, with each bit assigned to an IRLM in the same manner as in a GHT entry, and a bit on in this mask meaning the corresponding IRLM 61, 62 has locks retained for this IMS 31-34 due to an explicit QUIT RETAIN request.

(4) a one byte "retained due to IRLM or communications failure" mask (ISLFMSK), with each bit assigned to an IRLM as in a GHT entry, and a bit on in this mask meaning the corresponding IRLM was holding locks for this IMS and then an IRLM, system or communications failure occurred.

(5) a four-byte pointer 223 to a dummy WHB 130 from which retained lock RLB's 156, 153 are chained 251, 252. This exists only for the QUIT RETAIN case and then only in the ISL 120 of the IRLM 61, 62 to which the IMS 31-34 was connected when the QUIT request was issued, as will be more fully described hereafter.

An IMS Subsystem Identify Block (SIDB) 122, 124 is built by IRLM 61 or 62 when an IMS subsystem 31-34 is identified to the IRLM. The WHB's for this IMS's work units are chained from this block. Herein, by way of example, SIDB 122 is chained 213 to WHB 132 and SIDB 124 is chained 214, 215 to WHB's 134, 136.

Each Work Header Block (WHB) 132, 134, 136 represents an IMS work unit that holds and/or waits for locks, and contains a chain of all hold and wait RLB's associated with the WHB. By way of example, wait RLB's 166, 163, 160 and hold RLB's 151, 154 are chained 231, 232, 233, 234, 235 to WHB 136; and hold RLB's 155, 152, 150 are chained 241, 242, 243 to WHB 132, respectively.

Resource Header Blocks (RHB) 140, 142, 144 are created for each unique resource name for which a lock is requested and/or held, with all RHB's that hash into one of the plurality of hash groups corresponding to one RHT entry forming an RHB chain. Each RHB contains:

(1) the resource hash value (32 bits)

(2) the resource name (32 bytes)

(3) an IRLM interest mask, which is used in the same manner as a GHT entry. A bit on in this mask means the corresponding IRLM is currently holding a lock on this resource,

(4) an RHB chain word, used to maintain a chain of RHB's that hash into the same RHT entry. By way of example, RHB 140 is chained 221 to RHB 142 and anchored 220 to an entry in RHT 114. RHB 144 is anchored 222 to a different entry in RHT 114.

(5) a wait RLB chain word, and a hold RLB chain word, chaining the RHB to chains of lock holder RLB's and lock waiter RLB's. By way of example, RHB 140 is chained 156 to lock holder RLB's 150-151 and chained 168 to lock waiter RLB's 160-161; RHB 142 is chained 157 to lock holder RLB's 152-154 and chained 169 to lock waiter RLB's 163, 165; and RHB 144 is chained 158 to lock holder RLB's 155, 156 and chained 170 to lock waiter RLB's 166, 167.

Each Resource Lock Block (RLB) represents a lock holder or a request waiting to acquire a lock. Each RLB includes, inter alia, the lock state.

The data structure configuration of FIG. 2 represents a typical configuration for one IRLM, say 61, and a similar structure will exist for the other IRLM 62. Some data objects are maintained in sync (that is, substantially identical), allowing for communication delays during normal processing--and these include the GHT, RGHT, and ISL.

The Resource Lock Manager IRLM 61, 62 provides lock services used by the IMS 31-34 Data Sharing Function. The lock services include the retention of locks across IMS subsystem, VTAM, intersystem communications link, and MVS failures. The retained locks inhibit access to data base 13, 14 information that may be inconsistent due to the failure.

The integrity of data base 13, 14 information within the IMS/VS Shared Data environment is the combined responsibility of the DL/I Data Management Function (a component of IMS 31-34), Data Base Recovery Control (DBRC) 51, 52 and the IRLM 61, 62.

DL/I (a component of IMS) performs the access to the data bases 13, 14 and maintains log data sets 71-74 that are used to recover/repair the data bases when various failures occur.

DBRC 51, 52 maintains data base data set usage information. This information shows which IMS/VS subsystems are currently using each data set. DL/I 31-34 invokes DBRC 51, 52 services when allocating and deallocating the data sets on DASD 13, 14. During data set allocation, DBRC 51, 52 returns to DL/I 31-34 a list containing the names of the IMS/VS 31-34 subsystems that are currently using the data set. DL/I 31-34 invokes an IRLM 61-62 service (VERIFY), Table 13, passing the IMS 31-34 name list. The IRLM returns to DL/I an indication of whether each IMS 31-34 in the list is or is not currently using the IRLM 61-62 Services. Using the IRLM 61, 62 Services includes the case when the IMS was using the IRLM but failed, and the IRLM is retaining its locks. If any of the IMS subsystems 31-34 are not known by IRLM 61-62, then DL/I 31-34 will not allocate the data set. This is necessary because unless IRLM 61-62 is holding locks for each of the IMS subsystems 31-34, continued use of the data set will expose the integrity of the data.

As previously noted, each IRLM 61, 62 maintains in an IMS/VS Identified Subsystem List (ISL), a list of all IMS subsystems 31-34 currently connected to either of the two IRLM's in the two-system environment. ISL 120 is used to process a VERIFY (Table 13) request to determine if the IMS subsystem names in the input list are in ISL 120. Each IRLM 61, 62 holds the locks for the set of IMS 31-34 subsystems connected to it. Both IRLM's 61, 62 maintain a copy of the Global Hash Table (GHT) 116 and the Retained Locks Global Hash Table (RGHT) 118.

The ISL 120, GHT 116 and RGHT 118 provide the information that protects the locks across intersystem communications and/or system failures, as is more fully described in copending application C. A. Carr, et al, "Method and Means for the Retention of Locks Across System, Subsystem, and Communication Failures in a Multiprocessing, Multiprogramming, shared Data Environment", Ser. No. 194,506, filed Oct. 6, 1980.

The procedures executed by the IRLM in practicing the method of the invention will next be described in connection with the pseudocode representation of Tables 4 through 16. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the pseudocode representation, together with the accompanying description, enables those skilled in the art to generate, without undue experimentation, the necessary machine-executable instructions to operate a general purpose computing system according to the method of the invention. On the other hand, to describe the invention with source and/or object code of a working implementation would tend to obscure the inventive subject matter in extraneous detail, resulting in a lack of clarity and conciseness required for an understanding of the invention.

In the pseudocode tables, " =" signifies "not equal", and comments are bracketed between "/=" and "=/". References to IMS/VS are to one of IMS 31-34. The IRLM is architected for 8-way sharing. However, the following pseudocode implementation deals with only 2-way sharing.

With reference now to the figures and Tables 4-16, the operation of the invention will be described for various exemplary cases.

Multiple concurrent access to data resources shared by a plurality of work units executing on two central electronic complexes (CEC) is controlled with a minimum of communication and with optimum utilization of space required in each CEC for storage of lock data by providing in each CEC a resource lock manager (IRLM) that includes a global hash table (GHT) that contains an interest bit for each CEC's IRLM in each congruency class and chains of held and wait resource lock blocks (RLB's) associated with resource header blocks (RHB's) and work unit blocks (WHB's). The RHB's are chained and anchored to a Resource Header Table (RHT), which includes for each corresponding entry in the GHT an exclusive use bit. The WHB's are anchored to a subsystem identification block (SIDB). Wait RLB's not anchored to a WHB and which, therefore, relate to requests from the other IRLM, are chained together.

A request for a lock within the above structure will next be described. In this description, data structures shown in FIG. 2 pertaining to IRLM 62 will be indicated by a prime "'". Thus, the GHT of IRLM 61 is GHT 116, and that for IRLM 62 is GHT 116'.

Case I. A request is made, by way of example, for a lock on data resource N1 by IMS 31 on behalf of a work unit by submitting RLPL 110 to IRLM 61. Assuming for this case that the GHT 116, 116' entry=.0..0. for the corresponding hash class H1 in both IRLM's 61, 62. RLB 154a is created for the request and placed in the wait chain 169 for the data resource N1 (RHB 142). Procedure PTB, Table 5, will set the GHT 116 entry=1.0. in IRLM 61 for H1 and communicate (Table 5, line 3190) the updated GHT 116 entry via controller 27 to IRLM 62, which will execute procedure GHTUPD (Table 10) to set its GHT 116' entry=1.0. for H1. IRLM 61 will grant (Table 9) the lock to IMS 31 for N1, set the private use bit on in its RHT 114 for the hash class H1 of the requested data resource (Table 5, line 3260), and move RLB 154a for the request from wait chain 169 to hold chain 157 for RHB 142. In IRLM 62, no entry is made in RHT 114', nor is an RLB created.

Case II. Assuming that the condition created by Case I exists, and a request is made of IRLM 62 by IMS 32. In subcase IIA, the request is for the same data resource (N1) as in Case I. In subcase IIB, the request is for a different data resource N2 of the same hash class H1.

Subcase IIA: IRLM 62 will create an RLB 154a' and place it in the wait queue 169' for RHB 142' of resource N1. It will then change the GHT 116' entry for the hash class H1 from 10 to 11 and communicate to IRLM 61 a GHT update request (GHTUPD Table 10) and an inquiry request (PTB Table 5). IRLM 61 will update its GHT to reflect the interest of IRLM 62 (GHT 116=11). It will also process the inquiry (Table 6). INQUIRY determines, in this subcase IIA, that the request is for a data resource N1 for which a lock has been granted by IRLM 61. Consequently, it accesses hold RLB's 152-154 to determine if this request is compatible (compatible states) with the previously granted lock (or locks). Assuming that the states are compatible, the IRLM interest mask 193 in RHB 142 for the resource in IRLM 61 is set to show IRLM 62's interest and IRLM 62 notified that it can grant the lock. IRLM 62 sets the IRLM interest mask 193' in its RHB 142' for the resource to show IRLM 61's interest, the RLB 154a' is moved from the wait RLB claim 169' to the hold RLB chain 157', and the lock granted to IMS 32.

Assume that this condition prevails and a request is now made of IRLM 61 for further use of the same data resource N1 with a state which is not compatible with the now prior existing lock on N1 held in IRLM 62. Because IRLM 62's interest bit is on in GHT 116 (GHT 116=11 for H1), IRLM 61 sends a lock request to IRLM 62, specifying the same (N1), hash class (H1), state, and option (assume unconditional). An RLB 163 is created and put in wait chain 169 for RHB 142. In IRLM 62, an RLB 165' is created and added to the wait chain 169 for RHB 142 and, because it is for an incompatible state with, say, the lock corresponding to RLB 154' in the hold chain 157' for RHB 142', RLB 165' is added to the wait RLB chain which is anchored to MCB 112' (rather than to a WHB). No response is communicated from IRLM 62 to IRLM 61 (the request was unconditional), and the lock request is suspended until, in normal processing, the holder of RLB 154' makes an UNLOCK request (Table 8). IRLM 62 will release RLB 154'. Assuming that either there are no other RLB's in hold chain 157' for RHB 142', or that RLB 165' is at the top of wait queue 169' for RHB 142' and of a state compatible with any RLB's still in hold queue 157' for RHB 142, then RLB 165' is released and communication made to IRLM 61 that it can grant the lock requested previously for data resource N1. If RLB 165' were the only wait RLB and there were no hold RLB's for RHB 142', then RHB 142' would also be released. Further, IRLM 62 would reset its interest bit for H1 in GHT 116' (GHT 116'=10 for H1), and instruct IRLM 61 to set GHT 116=10 for H1. Note that no hold RLB has been added to the hold chain for N1 in IRLM 62, but such does exist in IRLM 61 (i.e., RLB 165 is moved from wait chain, as shown, to hold chain 157 for RHB 142). In this state, IRLM 61 has private use of data resource hash group H1, as GHT 116=GHT 116'=10 for hash group H1. The corresponding interest bit in RHT 114=1, and in RHT 114'=0.

Subcase IIB: In this example, with the above condition prevailing, a request is made of IRLM 62 by IMS 32 on behalf of work unit of WHB 136' for a lock on a different data resource (N2) which hashes (H1) to the same GHT 116' entry as for a previous request. Initially, GHT 116=GHT 116'=10 (IRLM 61 has an interest and IRLM 62 does not) for hash group H1 of data resources N1, N2. IRLM 62 sets GHT 116'=11 for H1, adds wait RLB 151a' to the wait chain 168' for RHB 140' (the RHB for data resource N2), and of WHB 136'--not as shown in FIG. 2 at this stage--, sends a request to IRLM 61 to update its GHT 116, and a request for a lock on data resource N2 of hash group H1.

IRLM 61 updates GHT 116 (GHT 116=11 for hash group H1), resets the corresponding mask bit in RHT 114 (as IRLM 61 no longer has private use of hash group H1), and searches the RHB chain anchored to the RHT 114 entry corresponding to hash group H1 for an RHB having N2 as its key. Assuming, in this example, that there is no RHB for data resource N2 in IRLM 61, then IRLM 61 responds to IRLM 62 that it is okay to grant the lock. IRLM 61 will not remember the resource locked.

IRLM 62 then moves RLB 151' from the wait chain 168' to hold chain 156' for RHB 140' and grants the lock. RLB 151' is now as shown in FIG. 2 in the chain anchored to WHB 136'.

This ends Case II for granting locks.

Multiple concurrent access to data resources shared by a plurality of work units executing on two central electronic complexes (CEC) is controlled with a minimum of communication and with optimum utilization of space required in each CEC for storage of lock data by providing in each CEC a resource lock manager (IRLM) that includes a global hash table (GHT) that contains an interest bit for each CEC's IRLM in each congruency class and chains of held and wait resource lock blocks (RLB's) associated with resource header blocks (RHB's) and work header blocks (WHB's). The RHB's are chained and anchored to a Resource Header Table (RHT), which includes for each corresponding entry in the GHT an exclusive use bit. The WHB's are anchored to a system identification block (SIDB). Wait RLB's not anchored to a WHB and which, therefore, relate to requests from the other IRLM, are chained together.

A request of a first IRLM for a lock by a work unit to access a data resource is processed by determining from the RHT/GHT if the first IRLM has exclusive, or private, use of the congruence class. If so, the request is processed within the first IRLM. If not, and the second IRLM also has interest in the congruence class, communication is made to the other IRLM, which will also process the request.

A lock request will be granted and an RLB hold chain entry for the RHB of the data resource created in the first IRLM if the request is for a data resource that is not previously locked to an incompatible state by either IRLM. On the other hand, if the request is incompatible with a lock on the data resource held in either IRLM, an RLB entry will be added for the request to the wait chain of the RHB having the incompatible held RLB. To optimize communication and lock maintenance processing, the second IRLM does not maintain hold RLB's granted by the first IRLM, but does maintain wait RLB's for the first IRLM--thus enabling the second IRLM to advise the first IRLM when the incompatible held lock is released.

The invention is applicable to computing systems where data is shared among a plurality of central electronic processors (CEC) in a multiprocessing, multiprogramming environment. A method and means is provided for locking specific data resources against concurrent incompatible access by two or more work units executing on the same or different CEC's.