This book provides a comprehensive analysis about the most important topics in parallel computing. It is written so that it can be used as a self-study guide to the field, and researchers in parallel computing will find a useful reference for years to come. The first half of this book consists of introduction to fundamental issues in parallel computing. While the exciting field of parallel computing continues to grow rapidly, this book serves as a guide to research conducted through 1994 and also describes the basic concept that the new workers will need to know in the coming year.