A Machine-independent High Performance Fortran Compilation System Targeted For Networked Superscalar SPARC Systems

Parallel computers have been available for several years but have yet to fulfill their promise despite the potential for greater scalability and lower cost/performance. While interest in parallel computing systems remains high, widespread proliferation of these systems has not occurred. The basic problem facing MPP users is lack of portable and scalable programming systems and libraries and portable programming language. Recently, the High Performance Fortran data-parallel language has been developed by a consortium of industries, academic institutions and national laboratories. The bases for HPF include the ANSI/ISO standard Fortran 90 (1) as well as Fortran D (2). Syracuse University has developed a portable Fortran 90D prototype compiler and library. The Portland Group has developed commercially accepted optimizing, vectorizing Fortran 77 compiler for Intel i860TM and SuperScalar Sparc parallel systems. Early analysis shows good potential MIMD parallel systems. This proposal will research and specify the requirements for a commercial machine-independent HPF compilation systems using these two components, Fortran 90D and pgFortran 77 as a basis. This HPF compilation system will be targetted to a network of SuperScalar Sparc workstations, specifically Sun SS-10s. ANTICIPATED BENEFITS: An effective machine-independent HPF compiler with libraries. A robust, commercially available HPF compilation system for multiple MIMD parallel systems with a network of Sun SS-10s being the initial target system.