233. Singleton MPI_INIT

A high-quality implementation will allow any process (including those not started with a ``parallel application'' mechanism) to become an MPI process by calling MPI_INIT. Such a process can then connect to other MPI processes using the MPI_COMM_ACCEPT and MPI_COMM_CONNECT routines, or spawn other MPI processes. MPI does not mandate this behavior, but strongly encourages it where technically feasible.

Advice to implementors.

To start MPI processes belonging to the same MPI_COMM_WORLD requires some special coordination. The processes must be started at the ``same'' time, they must have a mechanism to establish communication, etc. Either the user or the operating system must take special steps beyond simply starting processes.

When an application enters MPI_INIT, clearly it must be able to determine if these special steps were taken. If a process enters MPI_INIT and determines that no special steps were taken (i.e., it has not been given the information to form an MPI_COMM_WORLD with other processes) it succeeds and forms a singleton MPI program, that is, one in which MPI_COMM_WORLD has size 1.

In some implementations, MPI may not be able to function without an `` MPI environment.'' For example, MPI may require that daemons be running or MPI may not be able to work at all on the front-end of an MPP. In this case, an MPI implementation may either

1. Create the environment (e.g., start a daemon) or
2. Raise an error if it cannot create the environment and the environment has not been started independently.

( End of advice to implementors.)