Performance Prediction and Expert Adviser for Automatic Parallelisation of Fortran Programs

Abstract

The peak processing performance of highly parallel computers can be achieved only by advanced programming environments and tools developed particularly for such systems. Our global aim is to develop tools for an automatic parallelization of the Fortran programs, in a framework of Vienna Fortran Compilation System. The proposed parallelization system consists of the three kernel subsystems: transformation system, performance prediction system, and expert adviser. This paper is devoted to the performance prediction system and expert adviser designed as the new tools promoting automatic parallelization.  The performance prediction system derives performance characteristics from the sequential and parallel versions of the program, during parallelization by the transformation system, i.e. before execution on the parallel computer. Performance prediction results are utilized by a user, directly, or by the expert adviser. The expert adviser guides the user through a program improvement process. Both new subsystems are integrated with the transformation system, creating an advanced parallel programming environment.