The PVM console is used to manage the virtual machine-to reconfigure it or start and stop processes. In addition, it's an example program that makes use of most of the libpvm functions.
pvm_getfds() and select() are used to check for input from the keyboard and messages from the pvmd simultaneously. Keyboard input is passed to the command interpreter, while messages contain notification (for example, HostAdd) or output from a task.
The console can collect output or trace messages from spawned tasks,
using the redirection mechanisms described
in Section 
and Section ,
and
write them to the screen or a file.
It uses the begin and end messages
from child tasks to maintain groups of tasks (or jobs),
related by common ancestors.
Using the PvmHostAdd notify event,
it informs the user when the virtual machine is reconfigured.