A significant proportion of computer software can now be labelled as parallel and distributed applications (i.e., a system of several independent software components cooperating in a common purpose, such as WWW applications). This book has 2 key objectives - to summarise key research work in high-level parallel and distributed computing over the past ten years and to highlight cutting edge techniques. It is also the first book to demonstrate the link between 2 key topics - skeletons and design patterns.