Compute model: workunits and results

A workunit describes a computation to be performed. The attributes of a workunit include:

A workunit is associated with an application, not with a particular version or set of versions. If the format of your input data changes in a way that is incompatible with older versions, you must create a new application. This can often be avoided by using XML-like data representations.

A result describes a particular instance of a computation, either to be performed or already performed. The attributes of a result include:

Several results may be associated with a single workunit. Results may be generated in either of two ways (selected as part of the application):


The following diagram illustrates the relationship between workunits, results, files, and I/O assocations.