C++ and Massively Parallel Computers

Issue title: The First Annual Object-Oriented Numerics Conference (OON-SKI '93)

Article type: Research Article

Authors: LICKLY, DANIEL J. | HATCHER, PHILIP J.

Affiliations: Department of Computer Science, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824

Abstract: Our goal is to apply the software engineering advantages of object-oriented programming to the raw power of massively parallel architectures. To do this we have constructed a hierarchy of C++ classes to support the data-parallel paradigm. Feasibility studies and initial coding can be supported by any serial machine that has a C++ compiler. Parallel execution requires an extended Cfront, which understands the data-parallel classes and generates C* code. (C* is a data-parallel superset of ANSI C developed by Thinking Machines Corporation). This approach provides potential portability across parallel architectures and leverages the existing compiler technology for translating data-parallel programs onto both SIMD and MIMD hardware.

Journal: Scientific Programming, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 193-202, 1993