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The '''Whetstone benchmark''' is a synthetic [[Benchmark (computing)|benchmark]] for evaluating the performance of [[computer]]s.<ref>Curnow, H.J. and Wichman, B.A. "[http://freespace.virgin.net/roy.longbottom/whetstone.pdf A Synthetic Benchmark]" ''Computer Journal'', Volume 19, Issue 1, February 1976., p. 43-49.</ref> It was first written in [[Algol 60]] in [[1972]] at the [[National Physical Laboratory, UK|National Physical Laboratory]] in the [[United Kingdom]] and derived from statistics on program behaviour gathered on the [[English Electric KDF9|KDF9]] computer, using a modified version of its Whetstone Algol 60 compiler. The program's behavior replicated that of a typical KDF9 scientific program and was designed to defeat compiler optimizations that would have adversely affected the accuracy of this model. The Whetstone Compiler was built at the Atomic Power Division of the [[English Electric]] Company in [[Whetstone, Leicestershire]], England,<ref>Randell, B. and Russell, L.J. ''Algol 60 Implementation''. London: Academic Press, 1964. ISBN 0-12-578150-4.</ref> hence its name.
{{redirect|Houses of Parliament}}
{{Infobox World Heritage Site
| Name = [[Palace of Westminster|Westminster Palace]], [[Westminster Abbey]] and [[St. Margaret's, Westminster|Saint Margaret's Church]]
| infoboxwidth = 300px
| Image = [[Image:Palace of Westminster, London - Feb 2007.jpg|280px|The Palace of Westminster—at dusk, showing the Victoria Tower (left) and the Clock Tower, colloquially known as "Big Ben"—lies on the bank of the [[River Thames]] in the heart of [[London]].]]
| State Party = [[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|22px]] [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland]]
| Type = Cultural
| Criteria = i, ii, iv
| ID = 426
| Region = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe and North America]]
| Year = 1987
}}
The '''Palace of Westminster''', also known as the '''Houses of Parliament''' or '''Westminster Palace''', in [[London]], [[England]], is where the two Houses of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] (the [[House of Lords]] and the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]) meet. The palace lies on the north bank of the [[River Thames]] in the [[London borough]] of the [[City of Westminster]], close to other government buildings in [[Whitehall]].


The [[Fortran]] version, which became the first general purpose benchmark that set industry standards of computer system performance, was developed by Harold Curnow of [[HM Treasury]] Technical Support Unit (TSU - later part of Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency or [[CCTA]]). Further development was carried out by Roy Longbottom, also of TSU/CCTA, who became the official design authority.
The palace's layout is intricate: its existing buildings contain around 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases and {{convert|4.8|km|sigfig=1}} of corridors. Although the building mainly dates from the 19th century, remaining elements of the original historic buildings include [[Palace of Westminster#Westminster Hall|Westminster Hall]], used today for major public ceremonial events such as [[Lying in state|lyings in state]], and the [[Jewel Tower]].


The Whetstone benchmark originally measured computing power in units of ''kilo-Whetstone Instructions Per Second'' (kWIPS). This was later changed to Millions of Whetstone Instructions Per Second (MWIPS). The original results on numerous [[minicomputers]], [[mainframes]] and [[supercomputers]] are available in [http://freespace.virgin.net/roy.longbottom/whetstone.htm Whetstone Benchmark History and Results]. This also shows original system costs and year of manufacture. For comparison purposes, a summary of results on PCs is also provided, including a table showing the relative efficiency of various programming languages. [http://freespace.virgin.net/roy.longbottom/whetstone%20results.htm Detailed results on PCs] are also available, showing speeds of the different test functions.
Control of the Palace of Westminster and its precincts was for centuries exercised by the Queen's representative, the [[Lord Great Chamberlain]]. By agreement with [[the Crown]], control passed to the two Houses in 1965. Certain ceremonial rooms continue to be controlled by the Lord Great Chamberlain.


Source code and pre-compiled versions for PCs in [[C (programming language)|C]]/[[C++]], [[BASIC|Basic]], [[Visual Basic]] [[Fortran]] and [[Java (programming language)|Java]] are available in [http://freespace.virgin.net/roy.longbottom/index.htm Roy Longbottom's PC Benchmark Collection (Free).] Compiled codes include those to run via [[DOS]], [[OS/2]] plus 32 bit and 64 bit [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]].
After a fire in 1834, the present Houses of Parliament were built over the next 30 years. They were the work of the architect [[Charles Barry|Sir Charles Barry]] (1795–1860) and his assistant [[Augustus Welby Pugin]] (1812–52). The design incorporated Westminster Hall and the remains of [[St Stephen's Chapel]].


The Whetstone benchmark primarily measures the [[floating-point arithmetic]] performance. A similar benchmark for integer and string operations is the [[Dhrystone]].
== History ==


==See also==
The Palace of Westminster site was strategically important during the [[Middle Ages]], as it was located on the banks of the [[River Thames]]. Buildings have occupied the site since at least [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] times.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Known in medieval times as [[Thorney Island (London)|Thorney Island]], the site may have been first-used for a royal residence by [[Canute the Great]] (reigned 1016–35). [[Edward the Confessor|St Edward the Confessor]], the penultimate Saxon monarch of England, built a royal palace on Thorney Island just west of the [[City of London]] at about the same time as he built [[Westminster Abbey]] (1045–50). Thorney Island and the surrounding area soon became known as Westminster (a contraction of the words ''West [[Minster (church)|Minster]]''). After the [[Norman Conquest]] in 1066, [[William I of England|King William I]] established himself at the [[Tower of London]], but later moved to Westminster.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Neither the buildings used by the Saxons nor those used by William I survive. The oldest existing part of the Palace (Westminster Hall) dates from the reign of William I's successor, [[William II of England|King William II]].
* [[FLOPS]]
* [[Million instructions per second]] (MIPS)


==References==
[[Image:Palace of Westminster from Roque's map (1745).jpg|thumb|A detail from [[John Rocque]]'s 1746 map of London]]
<references/>

The Palace of Westminster was the monarch's principal residence in the late Medieval period. The predecessor of Parliament, the ''[[Curia Regis]]'' (Royal Council), met in Westminster Hall (although it followed the King when he moved to other palaces). The [[Model Parliament]], the first official Parliament of England, met in the Palace in 1295;<ref name=g03>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/G03.pdf|title=A Brief Chronology of the House of Commons|publisher=House of Commons Information Office|accessdate=2008-05-30|year=2006|month=11}}</ref> almost all subsequent Parliaments have met there.

The [[Jewel Tower]] was built in approximately 1365 to house the treasures of [[Edward III]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.12757|title=Jewel Tower|publisher=English Heritage|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref>

Westminster remained the monarch's chief London residence until a fire destroyed part of the structure in 1512.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} In 1530 [[Henry VIII of England|King Henry VIII]] acquired [[Palace of Whitehall|York Palace]] from [[Thomas Cardinal Wolsey]],<ref>Fraser, Antonia (1992). The Wives of Henry VIII. New York: Alfred A Knopf. ISBN 0394585380</ref> a powerful minister who had lost the King's favour. Renaming it the Palace of Whitehall, Henry VIII used it as his principal residence. Although Westminster officially remained a royal palace, it was used by the two Houses of Parliament and as a law court.

Because it was originally a royal residence, the Palace included no purpose-built chambers for the two Houses. Important state ceremonies, including the State Opening of Parliament, were held in the [[Painted Chamber]]; the House of Lords usually met in the White Chamber. The House of Commons, however, did not have a chamber of its own, and sometimes held its debates in the Chapter House of Westminster Abbey. The Commons acquired a permanent home in the Palace—[[St Stephen's Chapel]], a former royal chapel—only during the reign of Henry VIII's successor, [[Edward VI of England|King Edward VI]]. The Chantries Act 1547 (passed as a part of the [[Protestant Reformation]]) dissolved the religious order of the Canons of St Stephen's,{{Fact|date=June 2008}} among other institutions; thus, the Chapel became available for the Commons' use. Alterations were made to St Stephen's Chapel for the convenience of the lower House.

[[Image:Turner-The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons.jpg|thumb|left|[[J. M. W. Turner]] watched the fire of 1834 and painted several canvases depicting it, including ''The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons'' (1835).]]

On 16&nbsp;October 1834, most of the Palace was [[Burning of Parliament|destroyed by fire]].<ref name=g03/> Only Westminster Hall, the Jewel Tower, the crypt of St Stephen's Chapel and the [[cloister]]s survived. A Royal Commission was appointed to study the rebuilding of the Palace and a heated public debate over the proposed styles ensued. The [[Neoclassical architecture|neo-Classical]] design, similar to that of the [[White House]] and [[United States Capitol|Congress]] in the [[United States]], was popular at the time, but had connotations of revolution and [[republicanism]], whereas [[Gothic revival architecture|Gothic]] design embodied conservative values. The Commission announced in June 1835 that "the style of the buildings would be either Gothic or [[Tudor style architecture|Elizabethan]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-journal.org/html/8_3_urbanities-an_eloquent.html|title=An Eloquent Sermon in Stone|author=David Watkin|publisher=City Journal Summer 1998|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref>

In 1836, after studying 97 rival proposals, the Royal Commission chose [[Charles Barry]]'s plan for a Gothic-style palace. The [[foundation stone]] was laid in 1840;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/church_state/westminster_later/westminster_new_palace_02.shtmlAauthor=Christine Riding|date=2005-02-07|title=Westminster: A New Palace for a New Age|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> the Lords Chamber was completed in 1847, and the Commons Chamber in 1852 (at which point Barry received a [[Knight Bachelor|knighthood]]). Although most of the work had been carried out by 1860, construction was not finished until a decade afterwards. Barry (whose own architectural style was more classical than Gothic) relied heavily on [[Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin|Augustus Pugin]] for the sumptuous and distinctive Gothic interiors, including wallpapers, carvings, stained glass and furnishings, like the royal thrones and canopies.

During the Second World War, the Palace of Westminster was hit fourteen times by bombs (''see [[The Blitz]]''). The worst of these was on 10&nbsp;May 1941, when the Commons Chamber was destroyed and three people were killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/about/images/historical/1941bombed.cfm|title=Bombed House of Commons 1941|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> The chamber was re-built under the architect [[Giles Gilbert Scott]]; the work was completed in 1950.<ref name=g03/>

As the need for office space in the Palace increased, Parliament acquired office space in the nearby [[Norman Shaw Building]] in 1975,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/g13.pdf|title=The Norman Shaw Buildings|publisher=House of Commons Information Office|accessdate=2008-05-30|year=2007|month=4}}</ref> and more recently in the custom-built [[Portcullis House]], completed in 2000. This increase has now allowed all MPs to have their own office facilities.<ref name=g03/>

== Exterior ==

[[Image:Strike at the new Houses of Parliament.jpg|thumb|upright|Notice regarding a strike of stonemasons during the reconstruction of the Palace]]

Sir Charles Barry's collaborative design for the Palace of Westminster uses the [[Perpendicular Gothic]] style, which was popular during the 15th century and returned during the [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic revival]] of the 19th century. Barry was a [[Classical architecture|classical architect]], but he was aided by the Gothic architect Augustus Pugin. Westminster Hall, which was built in the 11th century and survived the fire of 1834, was incorporated in Barry's design. Pugin was displeased with the result of the work, especially with the symmetrical layout designed by Barry; he famously remarked, "All Grecian, sir; Tudor details on a classic body".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3575/is_/ai_72302588|title=Commons Sense|accessdate=2008-05-31|author=Peter Devey|publisher=The Architectural Review|year=2001|month=Feb}}</ref>

=== Stonework ===

The [[stonework]] of the building was originally Anston, a sand-coloured magnesian [[limestone]] quarried in the village of [[Anston]] in [[South Yorkshire]].<ref name=g11>
{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/G11.pdf|title=The Palace of Westminster|accessdate=2008-05-31|publisher=House of Commons Information Office|year=2008|month=3}}</ref> The stone, however, soon began to decay due to [[pollution]] and the poor quality of some of the stone used. Although such defects were clear as early as 1849, nothing was done for the remainder of the 19th century. During the 1910s, however, it became clear that some of the stonework had to be replaced.

In 1928 it was deemed necessary to use Clipsham Stone, a honey-coloured limestone from [[Rutland]], to replace the decayed Anston. The project began in the 1930s but was halted due to the [[World War II|Second World War]], and completed only during the 1950s. By the 1960s pollution had once again begun to take its toll. A stone conservation and restoration programme to the external elevations and towers began in 1981, and ended in 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/g12.pdf|title=Restoration of the Palace of Westminster: 1981-94|accessdate=2008-05-31|publisher=House of Commons Information Office|year=2003|month=8}}</ref> The House Authorities have since been undertaking the external restoration of the many inner courtyards, a task due to continue until approximately 2010.

=== Towers ===

{{mainarticle|Victoria Tower|Clock Tower, Palace of Westminster}}

Sir Charles Barry's Palace of Westminster includes several towers. The tallest is the {{convert|98.5|m|ft|adj=on}}<ref name=g11/> [[Victoria Tower]], a square tower at the south-western end of the Palace. It was named after the reigning monarch at the time of the reconstruction of the Palace, [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]]; today, it is home to the [[Parliamentary Archives]]. Atop the Victoria Tower is an iron flagstaff, from which either the [[Royal Standard (United Kingdom)|Royal Standard]] (if the Sovereign is present in the Palace) or the [[Union Flag]] is flown. At the base of the tower is the Sovereign's Entrance to the Palace, used by the monarch whenever entering the Palace of Westminster for the [[State Opening of Parliament]] or for any other official ceremony.

[[Image:Westminster palace.jpg|thumb|left|Palace of Westminster as seen from the [[London Eye]]; Victoria Tower on the left and Clock Tower on the right side]]

Over the middle of the Palace lies St Stephen's Tower, also called the Central Tower. It is {{convert|91.4|m|ft}}<ref name=g11/> tall, making it the shortest of the three principal towers of the Palace. Unlike the other towers, St Stephen's Tower possesses a [[spire]]. It stands immediately above the Central Lobby, and is octagonal. Its function was originally a high-level air intake.

A small tower is positioned at the front of the Palace, between Westminster Hall and Old Palace Yard, and contains the main entrance to the House of Commons at its base, known as St Stephen's entrance.

At the north-eastern end of the Palace is the most famous of the towers, the [[Clock Tower, Palace of Westminster|Clock Tower]], which is {{convert|96.3|m|ft}}<ref name=g11/> tall. Pugin's drawings for the tower were the last work he did for Barry. The Clock Tower houses a large, four-faced clock—the Great Clock of Westminster—also designed by Pugin. The tower also houses five bells, which strike the [[Westminster Quarters|Westminster Chimes]] every quarter hour. The largest and most famous of the bells is [[Clock Tower, Palace of Westminster#The Great Bell|Big Ben]] (officially ''The Great Bell of Westminster''), which strikes the hour. This is the third heaviest bell in England, weighing {{convert|13.8|t|long ton}}.<ref name=g11/> Although ''Big Ben'' properly refers only to the bell, it is often colloquially applied to the whole tower.

=== Grounds ===

[[Image:Palace of Westminster plan Crace.jpg|thumb|The layout of the Palace of Westminster]]

There are a number of small gardens surrounding the Palace of Westminster. [[Victoria Tower Gardens]] is open as a public park along the side of the river south of the palace. Black Rod's Garden (named after the office of [[Black Rod|Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod]]) is closed to the public and is used as a private entrance. [[Old Palace Yard]], in front of the Palace, is paved over and covered in concrete security blocks (''see [[#Security|security]] below''). Cromwell Green (also on the frontage, and in 2006 enclosed by hoardings for the construction of a new visitor centre), [[New Palace Yard]] (on the north side) and Speaker's Green (directly north of the Palace) are all private and closed to the public. [[College Green (London)|College Green]], opposite the House of Lords, is a small triangular green commonly used for television interviews with politicians.

== Interior ==

The Palace of Westminster includes over 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases and {{convert|4.8|km|sigfig=1}} of passageways.<ref name=g11/> The building includes four floors; the ground floor includes offices, dining rooms and bars. The "first floor" (known as the ''principal floor'') houses the main rooms of the Palace, including the Chambers, the lobbies and the libraries. The Robing Room, the Royal Gallery, the Prince's Chamber, the Lords Chamber, the Peers' Lobby, the Central Lobby, the [[Members' Lobby]] and the Commons Chamber all lie in a straight line on this floor, from south to north, in the order noted. (Westminster Hall lies to a side at the Commons end of the Palace.) The top-two floors are used for committee rooms and offices.

Formerly, the Palace was controlled by the [[Lord Great Chamberlain]],{{Fact|date=June 2008}} as it was (and formally remains) a [[royal residence]]. In 1965, however, it was decided that each House should control its own rooms;{{Fact|date=June 2008}} the Speakers now exercise control on behalf of their respective Houses. The Lord Great Chamberlain retains custody of certain ceremonial rooms.

=== Lords Chamber ===

[[Image:House of Lords.jpg|thumb|upright|Benches in the House of Lords are coloured red. The Sovereign's Throne and Canopy are located at one end of the chamber.]]

The Chamber of the [[House of Lords]] is located in the southern part of the Palace of Westminster. The lavishly decorated room measures 13.7&nbsp;by 24.4&nbsp;metres (45&nbsp;by 80&nbsp;ft).<ref name=g11/> The benches in the Chamber, as well as other furnishings in the Lords' side of the Palace, are coloured red. The upper part of the Chamber is decorated by stained glass windows and by six allegorical frescoes representing religion, chivalry and law.

At the south end of the Chamber are the ornate gold Canopy and Throne; although the Sovereign may theoretically occupy the Throne during any sitting, he or she attends only the State Opening of Parliament. Other members of the Royal Family who attend the State Opening use Chairs of State next to the Throne. In front of the Throne is the [[Woolsack]], a backless and armless red cushion stuffed with [[wool]], representing the historical importance of the wool trade. The Woolsack is used by the officer presiding over the House (the [[Lord Speaker]] since 2006, but historically the [[Lord Chancellor]] or a deputy). The House's [[Ceremonial mace|mace]], which represents royal authority, is placed on the back of the Woolsack. In front of the Woolsack are the Judges' Woolsack, a larger red cushion occupied by the [[Lords of Appeal in Ordinary|Law Lords]] during the State Opening, and the Table of the House, at which the clerks sit.

Members of the House occupy red benches on three sides of the Chamber. The benches on the Lord Speaker's right form the Spiritual Side and those to his left form the Temporal Side. The [[Lords Spiritual]] (archbishops and bishops of the established [[Church of England]]) all occupy the Spiritual Side. The [[Lords Temporal]] ([[Peerage|nobles]]) sit according to party affiliation: members of the Government party sit on the Spiritual Side, while those of the Opposition sit on the Temporal Side. Some peers, who have no party affiliation, sit on the benches in the middle of the House opposite the Woolsack; they are accordingly known as [[Crossbencher|cross-benchers]].

The Lords Chamber is the site of important ceremonies, the most important of which is the [[State Opening of Parliament]], which occurs at the beginning of each annual parliamentary session. The Sovereign, seated on the Throne, delivers the [[Speech from the Throne]], outlining the Government's legislative agenda for the forthcoming parliamentary session. The Commons do not enter the Lords' debating floor; instead, they watch the proceedings from beyond the Bar of the House, just inside the door. A similar ceremony is held at the end of a parliamentary session; the Sovereign, however, does not normally attend, and is instead represented by a group of [[Lords Commissioners]].

=== Commons Chamber ===

The Chamber of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] is at the northern end of the Palace of Westminster; it was opened in 1950 after the Victorian chamber had been destroyed in 1941 and re-built under the architect [[Giles Gilbert Scott]]. The Chamber measures 14&nbsp;by 20.7&nbsp;metres (46&nbsp;by 68&nbsp;ft)<ref name=g11/> and is far more austere than the Lords Chamber; the benches, as well as other furnishings in the Commons side of the Palace, are coloured green. Members of the public are forbidden to sit on the red benches, which are reserved for members of the House of Lords. Other parliaments in [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] nations, including those of [[Parliament of Canada|Canada]] and [[Parliament of Australia|Australia]], have copied the colour scheme under which the Lower House is associated with green, and the Upper House with red.

[[Image:Westminster Palace.jpg|thumb|left|Palace of Westminster along with the [[Clock Tower, Palace of Westminster|Clock Tower]] as viewed from [[Parliament Square]]]]

At the north end of the Chamber is the [[Speaker of the British House of Commons|Speaker]]'s Chair, a present to Parliament from [[Australia]]. In front of the Speaker's Chair is the Table of the House, at which the clerks sit, and on which is placed the Commons' ceremonial mace. The [[dispatch box]]es, which front-bench [[Member of Parliament|Members of Parliament]] (MPs) often lean on or rest notes on during Questions and speeches, are a gift from [[New Zealand]]. There are green benches on either side of the House; members of the Government party occupy benches on the Speaker's right, while those of the Opposition occupy benches on the Speaker's left. There are no cross-benches as in the House of Lords. The Chamber is relatively small, and can accommodate only 427 of the 646 Members of Parliament<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.explore.parliament.uk/Parliament.aspx?id=123&subSection=true|title=House of Commons Chamber|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref>—during [[Prime Minister's Questions]] and in major debates MPs stand at either end of the House.

By tradition, the British Sovereign does not enter the Chamber of the House of Commons. The last monarch to do so was [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]], in 1642. The King sought to arrest five Members of Parliament on charges of [[high treason]], but when he asked the Speaker, [[William Lenthall]], if he had any knowledge of the whereabouts of these individuals, Lenthall famously replied: "May it please your Majesty, I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as the House is pleased to direct me, whose servant I am here."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/main.jhtml?xml=/education/2000/10/28/tehspk28.xml|title=Some predecessors kept their nerve, others lost their heads|publisher=Telegraph|accessdate=2008-05-31|date=2000-10-18}}</ref>

The two red lines on the floor of the House of Commons are {{convert|2.5|m|ftin}}<ref name=g11/> apart, which, by (probably apocryphal) tradition, is intended to be just over two sword-lengths. Protocol dictates that MPs may not cross these lines when speaking. Historically, this was to prevent disputes in the House from devolving into duels. If a Member of Parliament steps over this line while giving a speech he or she will be lambasted by opposition Members. This is a possible origin for the expression "to [[toe the line]]".

=== Westminster Hall ===

[[Image:Westminster Hall edited.jpg|thumb|upright|Westminster Hall in the early 19th century]]

Westminster Hall, the oldest existing part of the Palace of Westminster, was erected in 1097.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Herbert Cescinsky|coauthor=Ernest R. Gribble|year=1922|month=Feb|title=Westminster Hall and Its Roof|journal=The Burlington Magazine for Connoisseurs|volume=40|issue=227|publisher=The Burlington Magazine Publications, Ltd.|pages=76&ndash;84|url=http://www.jstor.org/pss/861585|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> The roof was probably originally supported by pillars but, during the reign of [[Richard II of England|King Richard II]], was replaced by a [[hammerbeam roof]] designed by [[Henry Yevele]] and [[Hugh Herland]]. Westminster Hall is one of the largest halls in Europe and has the largest clearspan medieval roof in England, measuring 20.7&nbsp;by 73.2&nbsp;metres (68&nbsp;by 240&nbsp;ft).<ref name=g11/> Despite an Essex legend that the oak timber came from woods in [[Thundersley]], [[Essex]], it is known that the roof timberwork was entirely framed in 1395 at [[Farnham]] in [[Surrey]], {{convert|56|km|mi}} south-west of London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roof-angels.org.uk/RoofAngelsText.pdf|title=Roof Angels of the East Anglican Churches|accessdate=2008-05-31|year=2005|author=Dana Bentley-Cranch|coauthor=Rosalind K Marshall}}</ref> Accounts record the large number of wagons and barges which delivered the [[Timber framing|jointed timbers]] to Westminster for assembly.<ref>{{cite book|last=Salzman|first=LF|title=Building in England down to 1540|publisher=Oxford University Press, USA|year=1992|isbn=978-0198171584}}</ref>

Westminster Hall has served numerous functions. It was primarily used for judicial purposes, housing three of the most important courts in the land: the [[King's Bench|Court of King's Bench]], the [[Court of Common Pleas (England)|Court of Common Pleas]] and the [[Court of Chancery]]. In 1873, these courts were amalgamated into the [[High Court of Justice]],{{Fact|date=June 2008}} which continued to meet in Westminster Hall until it moved to the [[Royal Courts of Justice]] in 1882.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} In addition to regular courts, Westminster Hall also housed important trials, including [[impeachment]] trials and the state trials of King Charles I at the end of the [[English Civil War]], [[William Wallace|Sir William Wallace]], [[Thomas More|Sir Thomas More]], [[John Fisher|John Cardinal Fisher]], [[Guy Fawkes]], the [[Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford|Earl of Strafford]], the rebel Scottish Lords of the 1715 and 1745 uprisings, and [[Warren Hastings]].

[[Image:George IV coronation banquet.jpg|thumb|left|George IV's coronation banquet was held in Westminster Hall in 1821; it was the last such banquet held.]]

Westminster Hall has also served ceremonial functions. From the twelfth century to the nineteenth, [[coronation banquet]]s honouring new monarchs were held here. The last coronation banquet was that of [[George IV of the United Kingdom|King George IV]], held in 1821;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/about/history/westminsterhall.cfm|title=History of Westminster Hall|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> his successor, [[William IV of the United Kingdom|William IV]], abandoned the idea because he deemed it too expensive. The Hall has been used for [[Lying in state|lyings-in-state]] during [[State funeral|state]] and ceremonial funerals. Such an honour is usually reserved for the Sovereign and for their consorts; the only non-royals to receive it in the twentieth century were [[Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts]] (1914) and [[Winston Churchill|Sir Winston Churchill]] (1965). The most recent lying-in-state was that of [[Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon|Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother]] in 2002.

The two Houses have presented ceremonial Addresses to the Crown in Westminster Hall on important public occasions. For example, Addresses were presented at [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]'s [[Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Silver Jubilee]] (1977) and [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Golden Jubilee]] (2002), the 300th anniversary of the [[Glorious Revolution]] (1988), and the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the [[Second World War]] (1995).

Under reforms made in 1999, the House of Commons uses a specially converted room next to Westminster Hall (not the main hall) as an additional debating chamber. (Usually, however, the room is spoken of as a part of Westminster Hall.) The room is shaped like an elongated horseshoe; it stands in contrast with the main Chamber, in which the benches are placed opposite each other. This pattern is meant to reflect the non-partisan nature of the debates held in Westminster Hall. Westminster Hall sittings occur thrice each week; controversial matters are not usually discussed.

=== Other rooms ===

{{mainarticle|Members' Lobby|House of Commons Library}}

There are several other important rooms that lie on the first floor of the Palace. At the extreme southern end of the Palace is the Robing Room, the room in which the Sovereign prepares for the State Opening of Parliament by donning official robes and wearing the [[Imperial State Crown]]. Paintings by [[William Dyce]] in the Robing Room depict scenes from the legend of [[King Arthur]]. Immediately next to the Robing Room is the Royal Gallery, which is sometimes used by foreign dignitaries who wish to [[List of speakers who have spoken to both Houses of the United Kingdom Parliament|address both Houses]]. The walls are decorated by two enormous paintings by [[Daniel Maclise]]: "The Death of Nelson" (depicting [[Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson|Lord Nelson]]'s demise at the [[Battle of Trafalgar]]) and "The Meeting of Wellington and Blücher" (showing the [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|Duke of Wellington]] meeting [[Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher]] at the [[Battle of Waterloo]]).

To the immediate south of the Lords Chamber is the Prince's Chamber, a small [[wiktionary:anteroom|anteroom]] used by members of the Lords. The Prince's Chamber is decorated with paintings of members of the [[Tudor dynasty]], and features a marble statue of [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]]. To the immediate north of the Lords Chamber is the Peers' Lobby, where Lords informally discuss or negotiate matters during sittings of the House.

The centrepiece of the Palace of Westminster is the octagonal Central Lobby, which lies immediately beyond the Peers' Lobby. The lobby, which lies directly below the Central Tower, is adorned with statues of statesmen and with [[mosaic]]s representing the United Kingdom's constituent nations' patron saints: [[St George]] for England, [[St Andrew]] for Scotland, [[St David]] for Wales and [[St Patrick]] for Ireland (these pre-date the secession of the [[Irish Free State]]; St Patrick now represents Northern Ireland). Constituents may meet their Members of Parliament in the Central Lobby. Beyond the Central Lobby, next to the Commons Chamber, lies the [[Members' Lobby]], in which Members of Parliament hold discussions or negotiations. The Members' Lobby contains statues of several former Prime Ministers, including [[David Lloyd George]], [[Winston Churchill]], [[Clement Attlee]] and [[Margaret Thatcher]].

There are two suites of libraries on the Principal Floor, overlooking the river, for the [[House of Lords Library]] and [[House of Commons Library]].

The Palace of Westminster also includes state apartments for the presiding officers of the two Houses. The official residence of the Speaker stands at the northern end of the Palace; the Lord Chancellor's apartments are at the southern end. Each day, the Speaker and Lord Speaker take part in formal processions from their apartments to their respective Chambers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Speaker's procession|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/82047.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=2006-01-26|accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/ldcomp/ldctso05.htm#a23|title=Companion to the Standing Orders and guide to the Proceedings of the House of Lords|accessdate=2008-05-31|date=2007-02-19|publisher=UK Parliament}}</ref>

There are 19 bars and restaurants in the Palace of Westminster,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/g19.pdf|title=The House of Commons Refreshment Department|accessdate=2008-05-31|date=2007-02-19|publisher=House of Commons Information Office}}</ref> many of which never close while the House is sitting. There is also a gymnasium, and even a hair salon; the rifle range closed in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nra.org.uk/common/asp/content/content.asp?site=NRA&type=8|title=National Rifle Association, UK - Death of Lord Swansea}}</ref> Parliament also has a souvenirs shop, where items on sale range from House of Commons key-rings and china to House of Commons Champagne.

== Security ==

[[Image:National.security.parliament.arp.750pix.Clean.jpg|thumb|Concrete barriers restrict access to [[Old Palace Yard]].]]

The [[Black Rod|Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod]] oversees security for the House of Lords, and the [[Sergeant-at-Arms|Serjeant at Arms]] does the same for the House of Commons. These officers, however, have primarily ceremonial roles outside the actual chambers of their respective Houses. Security is the responsibility of the [[Palace of Westminster Division]] of the [[Metropolitan Police Service|Metropolitan Police]], the police force for the [[Greater London]] area. Tradition still dictates that only the Serjeant at Arms may enter the Commons chamber armed.

With rising concern about the possibility of a lorry full of explosives being driven into the building, a series of concrete blocks was placed in the roadway in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title=Security tightens at Parliament|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/2931044.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=2003-05-23|accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref> On the river, an exclusion zone extending {{convert|70|m|yd}} from the bank exists, which no vessels are allowed to enter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portoflondon.co.uk/notice2mariners/index_perm.cfm/flag/2/id/1090/site/navigation|accessdate=2008-05-31|title = Notices to Mariners - P27|publisher=Port of London Authority}}</ref>

Despite recent security breaches, members of the public continue to have access to the [[Strangers' Gallery]] (public gallery) in the House of Commons. Visitors pass through [[metal detector]]s and their possessions are scanned. Police from the Palace of Westminster Division of the Metropolitan Police, supported by some armed police from the [[Diplomatic Protection Group]], are always on duty in and around the Palace.

Since 1&nbsp;August 2005, under a provision of the [[Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005]] it has been illegal to hold a protest, without the prior permission of the Metropolitan Police, within a designated area extending approximately one&nbsp;kilometre (0.6&nbsp;mi) around the Palace.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Designated Area) Order 2005|url=http://www.england-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051537.htm|accessdate=2008-06-14|publisher=[[Office of Public Sector Information]]}}</ref>

=== Incidents ===

Probably the most famous attempt to breach the security of the Palace of Westminster was the [[Gunpowder Plot]] of 1605.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/g08.pdf|title=The Gunpowder Plot|publisher=House of Commons Information Office|accessdate=2008-05-31|year=2006|month=Sept}}</ref> The plot was a conspiracy among some [[Roman Catholic]] gentry to place large quantities of gunpowder beneath the Palace and detonate it during the State Opening of Parliament. If executed, the explosion would have destroyed the palace, killing the Protestant [[James I of England|King James I]], his family, and most of the aristocracy. The plot was discovered when a Roman Catholic nobleman, [[William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle]], received an anonymous letter warning him not to attend the State Opening.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} The authorities, with Peter Heywood of [[Heywood, Greater Manchester]],{{Fact|date=June 2008}} conducted a search of the Palace and discovered the gunpowder, as well as one of the conspirators, [[Guy Fawkes]]. The conspirators were later tried for high treason in Westminster Hall, and were [[hanged, drawn and quartered]]. Since 1605, the [[Yeomen of the Guard]] have conducted a ceremonial search of the Palace's cellars prior to each State Opening of Parliament, although today officers from the Metropolitan Police join the search.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}

[[Image:Assassination of Spencer Perceval.jpg|thumb|left|The assassination of Prime Minister [[Spencer Perceval]] in 1812 in the lobby of the House of Commons]]

The previous Palace of Westminster was also the site of a prime-ministerial assassination in 1812.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} While in the lobby of the House of Commons, on his way to a parliamentary inquiry, [[Spencer Perceval]] was shot and killed by [[John Bellingham]]. Perceval remains the only [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] to have been assassinated.

On 17&nbsp;June 1974, a {{convert|9|kg|lb|adj=on}} bomb planted by the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|Provisional IRA]] exploded in Westminster Hall.<ref>{{cite news|title=On This Day 17 June - 1974: IRA bombs parliament|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/17/newsid_2514000/2514827.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref> Another attack took place on 30&nbsp;March 1979, when [[Airey Neave]], a prominent Conservative politician, was killed by a [[car bomb]] as he drove out of the Palace's new car park.<ref>{{cite news|title=On This day 30 March - 1979: Car bomb kills Airey Neave|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/30/newsid_2783000/2783877.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref> Both the [[Irish National Liberation Army]] and the Provisional IRA claimed responsibility for the murder; security forces believe the former was responsible.

The Palace has also been the site of a number of acts of politically motivated "[[direct action]]". In 1970 a canister of [[CS gas|tear gas]] was thrown into the Chamber of the House of Commons to protest against conditions in Northern Ireland. In 1978 [[Yana Mintoff]] and another dissident threw [[manure]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/this_day_in_history/this_day_July_6.php|title=6th July - This day in history|publisher=The History Channel|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> Concern about such attacks and a possible chemical or biological attack led to the construction of a glass screen across the Strangers' Gallery in early 2004.

The new barrier does not cover the side galleries, which are sometimes termed the "distinguished strangers' gallery", and in May 2004 protesters from Fathers 4 Justice [[Fathers 4 Justice protests#House of Commons protest|attacked]] Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] with flour bombs from this part, after obtaining admission by bidding for a place in the visitors' gallery in a charity auction.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blair hit during Commons protest|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3728617.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=2004-05-19|accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref> Subsequently, rules on admission to the visitors' galleries were changed, and now individuals wishing to sit in the galleries must first obtain a written pass from a Member certifying that that individual is personally known to them. In September of the same year, five protesters opposed to the proposed ban on [[fox hunting]] disrupted the proceedings of the House of Commons by running into the Chamber.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro-hunt protesters storm Commons|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3656524.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=2004-09-15|accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref>

== Rules and traditions ==
=== Eating, drinking and smoking ===

[[Image:Westminster Palace at night.jpg|thumb|Westminster Palace at night]]

The Palace has accumulated many rules and traditions over the centuries. [[Smoking]] has not been allowed in the chambers of the House of Lords and the Commons since the 17th century.<ref name=g07>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/G07.pdf|title=Some Traditions and Customs of the House|publisher=House of Commons Information Office|accessdate=2008-05-31|year=2008|month=Jan}}</ref> As a result, Members may take [[snuff]] instead and the doorkeepers still keep a [[Decorative boxes#Snuff box|snuff-box]] for this purpose. Despite persistent media rumours, it has not been possible to smoke anywhere inside the Palace since 2005.<ref>
{{cite hansard| url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070611/text/70611w0004.htm#07061114000542| house=House of Commons|date=2007-06-11|accessdate=2008-05-31|column=736W}}</ref> Members may not eat or drink in the chamber; the exception to this rule is the [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]], who may have an alcoholic drink while delivering the [[United Kingdom budget|Budget]] statement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/faq/budget.cfm|title=Frequently Asked Questions: The Budget|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref>

=== Dress code ===

Hats must not be worn (although they formerly were when a [[point of order]] was being raised<ref>{{cite news|title=Points Of Order|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/82580.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=2006-01-24|accessdate=2008-09-29}}</ref>), and Members may not wear military decorations or insignia. Members are not allowed to have their hands in their pockets—[[Andrew Robathan]] was heckled by opposing MPs for doing this on 19&nbsp;December 1994.<ref>{{cite hansard| url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199495/cmhansrd/1994-12-19/Orals-1.html#Orals-1_spnew17| house=House of Commons|date=1994-12-19|accessdate=2008-05-31|column=1380}}</ref> Swords may not be worn in the Palace, and each MP has a loop of ribbon in the cloakroom for storing weapons.

=== Forms of address ===

Members may not refer to each other by name and use either "my honourable friend" (if a member of the same party) or "the honourable lady/gentleman" (for members from other parties); alternately, "the honourable member for [the constituency]" is used. Members of the [[Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council|Privy Council]] are referred to as "the right honourable". Barrister MPs are entitled to be styled "my learned friend" or "the learned lady/gentleman".

In the House of Lords, members are referred to as "the noble lord/lady", or "my noble friend".

=== Other traditions ===

No animals may enter the Palace of Westminster, with the exception of [[guide dog]]s for the blind;<ref name=g07/> [[Police dog|sniffer dogs]] and [[Mounted police|police horses]] are also allowed on the grounds.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/shropshire/7432814.stm|title= MP's Commons cow protest banned |accessdate= 2008-06-10|author= |date=2008-06-03|work= [[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref>

Speeches may not be read out during debate, although notes may be referred to. Similarly, the reading of newspapers is not allowed. Visual aids are discouraged in the chamber.<ref>{{cite hansard| url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199192/cmhansrd/1992-02-12/Debate-1.html#Debate-1_spnew27| house=House of Commons|date=1992-02-12|accessdate=2008-05-31|column=983}}</ref>

[[Applause]] is not normally allowed in the Lords and Commons. Some notable exceptions to this were when [[Robin Cook]] gave his resignation speech in 2003,<ref>{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2859431.stm|title= Cook's resignation speech |accessdate= 2008-03-04|author= |date=2003-03-18|work= [[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> and when Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] appeared for the last time at [[Prime Minister's Questions]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Blair-resigns-Brown-takes-power/2007/06/27/1182623982652.html|title= Blair resigns, Brown takes power|accessdate= 2008-03-04|date=2007-06-27|work=[[The Age]]|publisher= The Age}}</ref>

It is a convention that MPs do not discuss the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Sovereign]] nor use the name of the monarch as a point of debate without prior permission from the Speaker. This comes from 19th-century constitutionalist [[Erskine May]], who said, "the irregular use of the Queen's name to influence a decision of the House is unconstitutional in principle and inconsistent with the independence of Parliament ... Any attempt to use her name in debate to influence the judgement of Parliament is immediately checked and censured." [[Vincent Cable]] was reprimanded for breaking this convention during a session of Prime Minister's Questions in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7326746.stm|title= Cable anger over Queen reprimand |accessdate= 2008-04-24|author= |date=2008-04-02|work= [[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref>

== Culture and tourism ==

[[Image:Westminster Parlement.jpg|thumb|right|''Le Parlement de Londres'', [[Claude Monet]], 1903, [[National Gallery of Art]], [[Washington D.C.]]]]

The exterior of the Palace of Westminster—especially the Clock Tower—is recognised world-wide, and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in London. The [[United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]] (UNESCO) classifies the Palace of Westminster, along with neighbouring [[Westminster Abbey]] and [[St. Margaret's, Westminster|St. Margaret's]], as a [[World Heritage Site]]. It is also a [[Listed building|Grade I listed building]]. There is no casual access to the interior, but it may be seen in a number of ways:

* ''Viewing debates from the public galleries of the House of Commons or the House of Lords'': UK residents may obtain tickets in advance from their MP. It is also possible for both UK residents and overseas visitors to queue for admission on the day, but capacity is limited and there is no guarantee of admission. Only a very small part of the Palace's interior may be seen. Either House may exclude "strangers" if it desires to sit in private.
* ''Tours during Parliamentary sessions'': UK residents may apply to their MP or a peer for a place on a guided tour of Parliament while it is in session. British educational institutions may also arrange a tour through their MP. Overseas visitors may only tour Parliament during the summer recess.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/about/visiting/tour.cfm|title=Arrange a tour|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref>
* ''Summer opening'': tours are available during a two-month period during the summer when Parliament is not sitting. These tours are open to both UK residents and overseas visitors.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/summer_opening.cfm|title=Summer Opening|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref>
* ''Television Viewing'': live broadcasts of Parliamentary sessions can be viewed on [[BBC Parliament]]; recorded footage is shown when Parliament is not in session. The sessions are also occasionally rebroadcast in the [[United States]] via [[C-SPAN]].
*''Touring the Clock Tower'': Currently, only UK Residents can tour the Clock Tower, by arranging a tour through their local MP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/about/visiting/big_ben.cfm|title=Climb the Clock Tower (Big Ben)|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref>
<!-- Filming is forbidden in the Palace of Westminster; for representations of the building's interior in films, [[Manchester Town Hall]] is usually used. [needs source] -->

Architectural historian [[Dan Cruickshank]] selected the Palace as one of his five choices for the 2006 [[BBC]] television documentary series ''[[Britain's Best Buildings]]''.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/bbb-parliament.shtml | title=Britain's Best Buildings | accessdate=2008-06-03 | author= | last=Cruickshank | first=Dan | authorlink= | coauthors= | date= | year= | month= | format= | work= | publisher=BBC Four | pages= | doi= | archiveurl= | archivedate= | quote= }}</ref>

{{Nearest tube|Westminster}}

== References ==

{{reflist|2}}

* Bradley, Simon, and Pevsner, Nikolaus. (2003). ''The Buildings of England: London 6: Westminster.'' New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press.
* Cooke, Sir Robert. (1987). ''The Palace of Westminster.'' London: Burton Skira. <!-- Used as a source of historical information in this article. -->
* Fell, Sir Bryan, and K. R. MacKenzie. ''The Houses of Parliament: A Guide to the Palace of Westminster.'' (1994). London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
* Jones, Christopher. (1983). ''The Great Palace: The Story of Parliament.'' London: British Broadcasting Corporation.
* Port, M. H. (1976). ''The Houses of Parliament.'' New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press.
* Riding, Christine, and Jacqueline Riding. (2000). "The Houses of Parliament: History Art Architecture." London: Merrell.


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.cse.clrc.ac.uk/disco/Benchmarks/whetstone.shtml CCLRC: The Whetstone Benchmark]
* [http://www.netlib.org/benchmark/ Netlib repository of benchmark source code] (see also [[Netlib]])
* [http://www.cs.newcastle.ac.uk/publications/articles/papers/427.pdf Whetstone Algol Revisited, or Confessions of a compiler writer PDF file]


[[Category:Computer benchmarks]]
{{commonscat}}
* [http://www.parliament.uk/works/palace.cfm Official website]
* [http://www.londondrum.com/cityguide/houses-of-parliament.php Houses of Parliament visitor's guide]
* [http://www.virtualemotion.com/fullquicktime.aspx?language_id=2&n=512 Palace of Westminster Square 360 Image (Java)]
* [http://www.earthinpictures.com/world/great_britain/london/houses_of_parliament_at_dusk.html Houses of Parliament information and photography]

{{London history}}
{{World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom}}

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Exterior: {{PDFlink|[http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/g12.pdf "Restoration of the Palace of Westminster: 1981–94"]|82.1&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 84090 bytes --}} (restoration/ stonework);
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[[Category:1836 architecture]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Westminster]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in London]]
[[Category:Grade I listed government buildings]]
[[Category:Grade I listed palaces|Westminster]]
[[Category:History of Westminster]]
[[Category:Legislative buildings in Europe]]
[[Category:National government buildings in London]]
[[Category:Official residences in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Parliament of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Rebuilt buildings and structures]]
[[Category:River Thames]]
[[Category:Royal buildings in London]]
[[Category:Royal residences in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in London]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in London]]


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[[ast:Palaciu de Westminster]]
[[bn:ওয়েস্টমিন্‌স্টার প্রাসাদ]]
[[ca:Palau de Westminster]]
[[cs:Westminsterský palác]]
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[[it:Palazzo di Westminster]]
[[he:ארמון וסטמינסטר]]
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[[ja:ウェストミンスター宮殿]]
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Revision as of 11:33, 12 October 2008

The Whetstone benchmark is a synthetic benchmark for evaluating the performance of computers.[1] It was first written in Algol 60 in 1972 at the National Physical Laboratory in the United Kingdom and derived from statistics on program behaviour gathered on the KDF9 computer, using a modified version of its Whetstone Algol 60 compiler. The program's behavior replicated that of a typical KDF9 scientific program and was designed to defeat compiler optimizations that would have adversely affected the accuracy of this model. The Whetstone Compiler was built at the Atomic Power Division of the English Electric Company in Whetstone, Leicestershire, England,[2] hence its name.

The Fortran version, which became the first general purpose benchmark that set industry standards of computer system performance, was developed by Harold Curnow of HM Treasury Technical Support Unit (TSU - later part of Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency or CCTA). Further development was carried out by Roy Longbottom, also of TSU/CCTA, who became the official design authority.

The Whetstone benchmark originally measured computing power in units of kilo-Whetstone Instructions Per Second (kWIPS). This was later changed to Millions of Whetstone Instructions Per Second (MWIPS). The original results on numerous minicomputers, mainframes and supercomputers are available in Whetstone Benchmark History and Results. This also shows original system costs and year of manufacture. For comparison purposes, a summary of results on PCs is also provided, including a table showing the relative efficiency of various programming languages. Detailed results on PCs are also available, showing speeds of the different test functions.

Source code and pre-compiled versions for PCs in C/C++, Basic, Visual Basic Fortran and Java are available in Roy Longbottom's PC Benchmark Collection (Free). Compiled codes include those to run via DOS, OS/2 plus 32 bit and 64 bit Windows.

The Whetstone benchmark primarily measures the floating-point arithmetic performance. A similar benchmark for integer and string operations is the Dhrystone.

See also

References

  1. ^ Curnow, H.J. and Wichman, B.A. "A Synthetic Benchmark" Computer Journal, Volume 19, Issue 1, February 1976., p. 43-49.
  2. ^ Randell, B. and Russell, L.J. Algol 60 Implementation. London: Academic Press, 1964. ISBN 0-12-578150-4.

External links

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