Project 62: Applications of extended BLAS

Argonne 1986:
=============

R. Hanson said that based on the conversations he had had with J. Dongarra and J. 
Du Croz there appeared to be a need for a combined EISPACK/LINPACK project 
(using level 2 BLAS). It would be an effective way to utilize the newer types of 
"parallel" computers. Contacts will be maintained with Dongarra regarding WG 2.5 
(e.g. Hanson) participation in the project. WG 2.5 participation may aid in the 
design decisions.

In the discussion that followed it was noted that unified engineering of the project
was needed. Partial implementation could be a disadvantage (Ford). Using Fortran 
8X array facilities for parallel computations may be a good move, although the 
efficiency may not always be optimal (Smith, Paul). Dekker noted that some 
relevant information may be found in the NUMVAC library documentation. 
Discussion also covered BLAS 2 applications, possible use of Fortran 8X array 
facilities, and the efficiency issues (Smith, Paul, Reid, Ford, Rice, Dekker, Lawson).

Motion by C. Lawson (seconded by Rice):
WG 2.5 endorsed BLAS 2 and the work relating to applications 
of extended BLAS.

Como 1987:
==========

Ford, Gentleman and Reid discussed the testing of extended BLAS 2.
They informed WG 2.5 that paper dealing with a testing suite for
extended BLAS 2 will appear in TOMS.

Stanford 1988:
==============

Documents: 
IFIP/WG 2.5 (Stanford-24) 1524, 18 pages, 
IFIP/WG 2.5 (Stanford-25) 1525, 15 pages.

The following is the summary of the report presented by R. Hanson.

The WG 2.5 group has been active and has participated in the
specification of the BLAS. Level- 1 BLAS, ACM-TOMS, Sept. 1979, gave
vector-vector operations. These have been used in a variety of
applications and program libraries.

Two working group members (Lawson and Hanson) directly participated in
this project. The software output of this project consisted of a model
specification dn a test program.

Level-2 BLAS, ACM-TOMS, March 1988, gave vector-matrix operations. One
working group member (Hanson) participated in this project. Software
consists of a model specification and a test program.

Level-3 BLAS, providing matrix-matrix operations specifications are
now being actively discussed. No WG 2.5 member is directly involved
although involvement as an editor is likely from any of (Hanson, Rice,
Reid) each WG 2.5 members. B. Ford is also supervising individuals
involved in this project.

The BLAS, Levels-1, 2 and 3 are likely to be used in the model
specification of LAPACK, a combined linear equation and eigenvalue
solving package. J. Dongarra gave an invited talk on this subject at
IFIP/WG 2.5 Wo Co 5 (Aug 21-28, 1988).

Beijing 1989:
=============

Documents: 
H.J.J. te Riele (ed.), "NUMVEC FORTRAN :library", Centre for Mathematics and 
Computer Science (CWI), 1986,
T.J. Dekker, W. Hoffmann, and P.P.M. de Rijk, "Portable software in numerical 
linear algebra for supercomputers" Proc. of SOSS, Beijing, May 1989, pp 15-26.

Hanson reported that according to his contacts with Jack Dongarra, the
level 3 (matrix-matrix) operations, called BLAS, has been accepted for
publications in ACM-TOMS. He noted that LAPACK is based on the level
1, 2 and 3 BLAS. This linear algebra package has been released to test
sites. However, it is not yet compete.


Documents:
==========

1. H.J.J. te Riele (ed.), "NUMVEC FORTRAN :library", Centre for Mathematics and 
Computer Science (CWI), 1986.
2. T.J. Dekker, W. Hoffmann, and P.P.M. de Rijk, "Portable software in numerical 
linear algebra for supercomputers, Proc. Symposium on Scientific Software, 
ed. Cai, Fosdick and Huang, Beijing, 15-26, 1989.