Method and system for dynamically tracking arbitrary task dependencies on computers in a grid environment

Abstract

A method, system and computer program product for tracking arbitrary task dependencies on computers in a grid environment including the steps of downloading a task to a computer coupled to the grid and identifying the dependencies necessary to perform the task and downloading the dependency executables to check the dependencies on the computer, and executing the downloaded dependency executables on the computer. When the dependencies are satisfied, executing the task on the computer and returning the results of the task to the grid server. When at least one of the dependencies are checked and are not satisfied on the computer, returning an error for the task to the grid server, recording the particular dependencies that failed as not satisfied for the computer, and recording a timestamp indicating when the dependency was checked. Assigning a task to a particular computer coupled to the grid if there are no recorded failed dependencies required for the task associated with the computer or the timestamp associated with a recorded dependency failure is of a predetermined age.