pmap(F, L) ->
    S = self(),
    %% make_ref() returns a unique reference
    %% we'll match on this later
    Ref = erlang:make_ref(),
    Pids = map(fun(I) ->
                spawn(fun() -> do_f(S, Ref, F, I) end)
                end, L),

    %% gather the results
    gather(Pids, Ref).

do_f(Parent, Ref, F, I) ->
    Parent ! {self(), Ref …