Method and apparatus for sharing objects among a plurality of processes

A method and apparatus for sharing objects among a group of processes may be accomplished by using a causal time stamp for each conveyance of information between the members of the group of processes. When a process receives an object request from another process, wherein the object request includes identity of the process requesting the objects, a request causal time stamp, and the objects being requested, the receiving process updates its current causal time stamp and grant causal list. The grant causal list includes a prioritized listing of outstanding object requests, where prioritization is based on a predetermined total ordering procedure. Once the grant causal list has been updated, the receiving process determines whether it has one of the needed objects being requested and the request is of a higher priority. If so, the receiving process generates a grant message for the requesting process. When the requesting process receives the object grant, it updates its possession set of objects to include the newly received objects and updates its current causal time stamp. If the possession set includes all of the needed objects, the requesting process then utilizes the objects as needed.