Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the issues of compiling high-level languages for vector architectures. Vector architectures have regained popularity in recent years, from simple desktop computers with small vector units motivated by multimedia applications to large-scale vector multiprocessing machines motivated by ever-growing computational demands. We show that generating code for various types of vector architectures can be done using several idioms, and that the best idiom is not what a programmer would normally do. Using a set of benchmark programs, we also show that the benefits of vectorization can be significant and must not be ignored. Our results show that high-level languages are an attractive means of programming vector architectures since their compilers can generate code using the specific idioms that are most effective for the low-level vectorizing compiler. This leads to source code that is clearer and more maintainable, has excellent performance across the full spectrum of vector architectures, and therefore improves programmer productivity.
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© 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Rickett, C.D., Choi, SE., Chamberlain, B.L. (2005). Compiling High-Level Languages for Vector Architectures. In: Eigenmann, R., Li, Z., Midkiff, S.P. (eds) Languages and Compilers for High Performance Computing. LCPC 2004. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 3602. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/11532378_17
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/11532378_17
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-28009-5
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