Fig. 2 Transputer System 
Programming a Transputer network 
Using PARACOM hardware for a transputer network, there are mainly two different tools for hand 
ling it: MultiTool from PARSYTEC which is based on the INMOS Transputer Development System 
(TDS) and Helios from PERIHELION SOFTWARE, an operating system with a user interface much 
similar to Unix. 
MultiTool (PARSYTEC 1989) is a comprehensive development environment to support the pro 
gramming of transputer networks using OCCAM as programming language. Other compilers 
such as FORTRAN 77 or C are provided optionally. MultiTool is based on a folding editor that is a 
powerful tool for structured software development, a file manager, the OCCAM compiler, and a 
debugging system. Experience has shown that learning OCCAM is both not difficult and is facili 
tated by the folding editor, especially in a Macintosh environment. The main problem is configu 
ring the program for the network. A program only can run on a certain hardware configuration. If