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Figures, Tables, and Listings

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 About Multitasking on the Mac OS

• Multitasking Basics
• Multitasking and Multiprocessing
• Tasks and Address Spaces
• Task Scheduling
• Shared Resources and Task Synchronization
• Semaphores
• Message Queues
• Event Groups
• Kernel Notifications
• Critical Regions
• Tasking Architectures
• Multiple Independent Tasks
• Parallel Tasks With Parallel I/O Buffers
• Parallel Tasks With a Single Set of I/O Buffers
• Sequential Tasks

Chapter 3 Using Multiprocessing Services

• Multiprocessing Services in Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X
• Compatibility with Older System Software
• Criteria for Creating Tasks
• Checking for the Availability of Multiprocessing Services
• Determining the Number of Processors
• Creating Tasks
• Terminating Tasks
• Synchronizing and Notifying Tasks
• Handling Periodic Actions
• Notifying Tasks at Interrupt Time
• Using Critical Regions
• Allocating Memory in Tasks
• Using Task-Specific Storage
• Using Timers
• Making Remote Procedure Calls
• Handling Exceptions and Debugging

Chapter 4 Multiprocessing Services Reference

• Gestalt Constants
• Functions
• Determining Processor Availability
• Creating and Scheduling Tasks
• Creating and Handling Message Queues
• Creating and Handling Semaphores
• Handling Event Groups
• Handling Kernel Notifications
• Handling Critical Regions
• Timer Services Functions
• Time Utility Functions
• Accessing Per-Task Storage Variables
• Memory Allocation Functions
• Exception Handling Functions
• Debugger Support Functions
• Remote Calling Function
• Application-Defined Function
• Data Types
• Constants
• Timer Duration Constants
• Timer Option Masks
• Memory Allocation Alignment Constants
• Memory Allocation Option Constants
• Task Creation Options
• Task State Constants
• Task Run State Constants
• Task Information Structure Version Constant
• Task Exception Disposal Constants
• Remote Call Context Option Constants
• Result Codes

Appendix A Preemptive Task-Safe Mac OS System Software Functions

Appendix B Calculating the Intertask Signaling Time

Appendix C Changes From Previous Versions of Multiprocessing Services

Appendix D Document Version History

Glossary

Notices

Credits