A Machine-independent High Performance Fortran Compilation System Target For The Intel Paragon Parallel Computer System

Parallel computers have been widely 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 and acceptance of these systems has not occurred. The basic problem facing MPP users is a lack of portable and scalable programming systems, portable and scalable libraries, and a 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, Inc. has developed a commercially accepted optimizing, vectorizing Fortran 77 compiler, pgf77, for many Interl i860TM parallel systems. Early analysis shows good potential for creating an effective machine-independent HPF compiler for various MIMD parallel systems. This proposal will research and specify the requirements for a commercial machine-independent HPF compilation system using these two components, Fortran 90D and pfg77 as a basis. This HPF compilation system will initially be targeted for the Intel Paragon. ANTICIPATED BENEFITS: An effective machine-independent HPF compiler with libraries. A robust, commercially available HPF compilation system for multiple parallel MIMD systems with the Intel Paragon being the initial target system.