Input file paradigms

BOINC has three paradigms for handling job input files.

Stream model

For local job submission, like SETI@home.

• Work generators create input files, stage them, and create jobs with them.
• Transitioner mark WUs as FILE_DELETE_READY
• File deleter deletes files.

This assumes each file is used by a single WU.

Job-file system

A more flexible system, used with remote job creation.

DB tables:

• job_file: describes an input file
• job_batch_assoc: links batch and input file; deleted when batch is retired.

Web RPCs

• query_file(): given a list of files, sees which are on server; creates associations.
• upload_file(): uploads file, creates association.

The user has to enforce immutability.

Sandbox system.

Used for BUDA and other web-based job submission. Eliminates the need to think about immutability.