Virtual architecture and virtual instruction set for the calculation of parallel threads

A virtual architecture and a virtual instruction set support the explicit calculation of parallel threads. The virtual architecture defines a virtual processor that supports concurrent execution of multiple virtual command sequences with multiple degrees of data sharing and co-ordination (for example, synchronization) between different virtual threads, and a virtual execution driver that controls the virtual processor. A virtual instruction set architecture for the virtual processor is used to define the behavior of a virtual command sequence, and contains commands that the behavior of parallel command sequence, for example, data sharing and synchronization are related. Using the virtual platform, programmers can develop applications in which virtual instruction sequences are executed simultaneously to process data. Virtual translators and drivers to fit the application code to particular hardware on which it is to be executed for the programmer in a transparent way on.