Parallel make

Parallel make (make -j) is a fine language for parallel programming, in fact, for certain problems, better than anything else out there, including "real" parallel programming languages.

Here are some additional features I would like to see: the ability to specify mutexes, that is, that two rules may not be executing simultaneously. Or other limited resources. The ability to specify priorities between two rules if both are able to start. This may be specified by the programmer, or automatically discovered via static or dynamic analysis to maximize throughput. The ability to do encapsulation and scoping i.e., namespace control. A better syntax (than define - call - eval) for parameterized rules. The ability to dynamically create new rules.

Software Bluespec.