Photo by Pioneering Computer Scientist Arvind Leaves Lasting Legacy
The world of computer science has lost a giant with the passing of Arvind, a renowned professor at MIT and a pioneer in parallel computing and declarative programming languages. Throughout his illustrious career, Arvind made significant contributions to the field, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of computer scientists.
Arvind, a pioneer in parallel computing and declarative programming languages
Arvind’s fascination with parallel computing began during his student days at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1969. He went on to pursue his master’s and Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Minnesota, where he delved deeper into operating systems and mathematical models of program behavior.
At MIT, Arvind’s research group focused on parallel computing and declarative programming languages, leading to the development of two parallel computing languages, Id and pH. His work in this area culminated in the publication of the book “Implicit Parallel Programming in pH” in 2001, a testament to his dedication to advancing the field.
 Parallel computing, a field that Arvind helped shape
In addition to his research, Arvind played a critical role in shaping the academic landscape of computer science at MIT. He served as the head of computer science faculty in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and was instrumental in the reorganization of EECS after the establishment of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.
Arvind’s work on dataflow and parallel computing led to the Monsoon project in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a collaboration with Motorola that resulted in the development of 16 dataflow computing machines. One of these machines is now on display at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.
 The Monsoon project, a milestone in dataflow and parallel computing
In the 1990s, Arvind’s focus shifted towards applying techniques from parallel programming to the principled design of digital hardware. This led to the founding of Sandburst, a fabless manufacturing company for semiconductor chips, which was later acquired by Broadcom.
Arvind’s legacy extends beyond his research and academic leadership. He was a dedicated mentor and advisor, guiding students and junior colleagues at MIT, as well as universities and governments around the world. His work on digital hardware design led to the development of Bluespec, a programming language designed to automate chip design.
 Bluespec, a programming language for chip design
Throughout his career, Arvind received numerous honors and awards for his contributions to data flow and multithread computing, including membership in the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Arvind’s passing leaves a void in the world of computer science, but his legacy will continue to inspire and motivate future generations of researchers and engineers.
