Subroutine Library Research Articles

Epikit

Epikit is a library of Common Lisp subroutines intended for use in the construction of programs that operate on databases encoded in Knowledge Interchange Format (KIF).The goals of Epikit are to provide a robust, portable, and efficient library of subroutines to support representation and reasoning methods based on Logic. The focus primarily is on first-order logic (FOL) with extensions to support meta-knowledge, i.e., knowledge about other expressions in the KIF language, and extensions to support the specification and interpretation of programs for intelligent control applications.

How symbolic computation boosts productivity in the simulation of partial differential equations

While there have been considerable efforts over the past 30 years to improve productivity in scientific computation through the creation of subroutine libraries, much of the mundane, error-prone work in developing simulation codes has remained. This situation has spurred the development of specialized efforts in both the numerical and symbolic computation domains. For instance, numerical software like PDECOL, L1SODE, and UNPACK will solve large classes of partial differential equations, ordinary differential equations, and linear equations, respectively. On the symbolic side of this issue, a few basic tools for developing simulation codes were created by Wirth in the late 1970s. We introduce more advanced uses of symbolic techniques, including two strategies that link the symbolic and numeric computing approaches in the context of simulation codes.

Vector finite‐element analysis using IBM 3090–600e VF

AbstractA finite‐element computer program consists of four basic modules, namely, computation of element stiffness matrices, assembly of the global stiffness matrix, solution of the system of linear simultaneous equations, and calculation of stresses. Vector algorithms consisting of direct vector Fortran code and the Engineering and Scientific Subroutine Library (ESSL) routines are presented for these modules. Numerical investigations were conducted using the IBM 3090–600E VF computer.For element stiffness matrix calculation, using a vector length equal to the number of elements produced speed‐up in the range of 3·2 to 3·7 over the corresponding scalar code. The vectorized global element stiffness matrix assembly was accomplished with the help of an INDEX array and the ESSL routine DAXPYI that resulted in the speed‐up of 2·6 to 4·3. The ESSL routines DPBF and DPBS gave speed‐up of 7·7 to 53·6 over a scalar Gaussian solver. The scalar‐to‐vector speed‐up for the stress calculation ranges from 2·2 to 5·33. The speed‐up of the totally vectorized program over the scalar program is from 7·4 to 51·9.As would be expected, the equation solution takes up the most computational effort in a finite‐element analysis. For the models we analysed the equation solution consumed 93 per cent to almost 100 per cent of the total CPU time in the scalar computations. Vectorizing the equation solver only reduces the percentage of its share to the range of 63 per cent to 88 per cent. In a totally vectorized program, the share of the equation solver effort is 85 per cent to 97 per cent. For the models analysed, the additional speed‐up accomplished by vectorizing the whole program over the one with a vectorized equation solver only was from 10 per cent to 40 per cent.

Implementation and use of high-performance parallel skyline matrix subroutines on the IBM vector facility

Skyline matrix storage format is widely used by computer programs which do finite element analysis. The popularity of skyline format stems from its simplicity, compactness, and efficiency. Even with these advantages, skyline matrix factorization and solution often consumes large amounts of processing time in finite element analysis programs. To reduce the sometimes overwhelming processing requirements of finite element analysis programs, high-performance skyline matrix subroutines were developed specifically for the IBM ES/3090™ and ES/9000™ processors. Both symmetric and unsymmetric skyline matrices are supported. These subroutines, which became available in Release 4 of IBM's Engineering and Scientific Subroutine Library (ESSL), achieve high performance through vector and parallel processing. Serial vector performance of these routines is over two times that of conventional methods, and parallel processing amplifies the vector performance with a high degree of efficiency. General strategies for achieving similar levels of performance are presented; these strategies are applicable in certain ways to other algorithms and other computers. Also presented are benchmark results for the symmetric skyline routine alone and in combination with three finite element analysis programs.

Subroutine library for partial differential approximants

Partial differential approximants can accurately approximate functions of two variables, even when the only information available concerning the function is a finite number of terms in its power series expansion. They are particularly effective in the approximation of multisingular functions. After a brief review we present a library of FORTRAN 77 subroutines which generate and analyze partial differential approximants. A driver program which demonstrates the library's use is also included.

Programming the Finite Element Method.

From the Publisher: In the third edition of this highly-successful book, readers are shown how to develop computer programs which use the finite element method to solve specific problems which they may encounter. This third edition is completely revised, and has all programs and subroutine libraries written in FORTRAN 90. The programs and most subroutines are listed in full in the text, and are all available on the Internet via anonymous ftp. A wide variety of new problem solving analyses are presented, including classical structural analysis, elasticity and plasticity, steady state and transient fluid flow, linear and non-linear solid dynamics and construction processes in geomechanics.

Linear algebra software on IBM and CRAY computers

Mathematical software libraries represent collections of subprograms for the solution of frequently occurring numerical problems. The acceptance of mathematical software libraries strongly depends on the quality of their components, because the library routines are often used as building blocks in more complex computer codes. This approach can simplify code development and introduce know-how to the user's code. Results on the performance and accuracy of library subroutines from IMSL and NAG for matrix multiplication, solution of linear equations, and eigenvalue problems on a CRAY X-MP and an IBM 3081 are reported.

A data-base system for the thermophysical properties of 400 pure fluids and their binary mixtures

In order to provide the newest and most reliable numerical data of thermophysical properties of fluids to the scientific and technical community as quickly as possible, the present data-base system was designed and constructed. This data base is concerned with 12 kinds of thermophysical properties at 7 defined physical states for about 400 pure fluids and their binary mixtures. The present system is constructed by means of a data-base management system, INQ, on our computer ACOS series System-2020 produced by Nippon Electric Co. Ltd. The data base is usable as (i) the conversational processing by TSS, (ii) the tabulation of property data in batch processing, and (iii) one of the subroutine libraries in the computation of a user's program. For users' convenience, 10 kinds of application programs have been prepared for the multipurpose retrievals, and anyone can use this data base liberally without any special knowledge on the structure or languages of this system. Furthermore, the function of graphic display of property data has been added recently.

A philosophy for scientific computing tools

We argue that subroutine libraries are not enough but need to be supplemented by common file formats and directly executable commands. A concrete example, tensor spline primitives, illustrates this style of programming.

Comments on "Numerical analysis of H-plane waveguide junctions by combination of finite and boundary elements

For the original article see ibid., vol.36, no.9, p.1343-51 (1988). In the above-named work, K. Ise and M. Koshiba consider a lossy dielectric post in a rectangular waveguide. In Figures 6 through 10, they compare their results with results published by the commenters (see ibid., vol.35, no.1 p.48-59, 1987) and conclude that their results are more reasonable. The commenters rechecked their results and noted that the results of Ise and Koshiba are indeed the more accurate ones. The inaccuracy was due to the fact that the library subroutine used by the commenters for calculating Hankel functions with complex arguments was defective. >

Conjugate-gradient subroutines for the IBM 3090 Vector Facility

This paper describes a set of optimized subroutines for use in solving sparse, symmetric, positive definite linear systems of equations using iterative algorithms. The set has been included in the Engineering and Scientific Subroutine Library (ESSL) for the IBM 3090 Vector Facility (VF). The subroutines are based on the conjugate-gradient method, preconditioned by the diagonal or by an incomplete factorization. They make use of storage representations of sparse matrices that are optimal for vector implementation. The ESSL vector subroutines are up to six times faster than a scalar implementation of the same algorithm.

Linear algebra software on a vector computer

Mathematical software libraries (IMSL, NAG) supply subprograms for the solution of a broad class of frequently occurring numerical problems. Therefore, the library routines are normally used as building blocks in more complex computer codes. Users taking advantage of this approach can simplify code development and introduce expertise to their codes. The acceptance of mathematical software libraries is strongly related to the quality of their components. Results on the performance and accuracy of library subroutines for matrix multiplication, the solution of linear equations and eigenvalue problems on a CRAY X-MP are reported.

HYLAS: program for generating H curves (abstract three-dimensional representations of long DNA sequences)

The computer program HYLAS generates from a standard DNA letter sequence a three-dimensional space curve (H curve) which embodies the entire information content of the original nucleotide sequence. The program can display H curves either as two-dimensional (front and side view) projections or as stereo-pair images. The curves can be marked at specific nucleotide locations, annotated, rotated for observation from any viewing angle, and manipulated for convenient side-by-side comparisons. Unlike the cumbersome letter sequences, H curves can be drastically condensed in size without losing their ability to reflect the global nucleotide-distribution pattern of the entire DNA sequence. Often, biologically important loci can be visually identified on the H curves. HYLAS is written in FORTRAN with separate mainframe (IBM-VM/CMS) and microcomputer (MS-DOS) versions. It uses the Tektronix-TCS library of graphic subroutines.

SPL - A different high level language for systolic processors

The Systolic Processors Language, SPL, is a C-based high-level language for systolic processors. This language and its development environment, are designed especially, but not solely, for both the European Wafer Scale Integration Systolic Array Processor (ASAP: ESPRIT-824B), and the NCR Geometric Arithmetic Parallel Processor (GAPP). SPL enhances the software development capability for programmable systolic processors, and aims at simplifying program writing without decreasing the run-time performance. The contribution of SPL, presented in this paper, is the novel memory allocation for each Processing Element (PE), along with a balanced support of data—types, instruction—set, and a rich library of subroutines embedded in it. Altogether, these features provide an efficient back-end code.

Engineering and Scientific Subroutine Library Release 3 for IBM ES/3090 vector multiprocessors [Technical note

This technical note should be read in conjunction with the paper by McComb and Schmidt 1 which describes the Engineering and Scientific Subroutine Library through Release 2. In this technical note, which is an addendum to that paper, we briefly describe some of the new features in Release 3 and indicate some of the techniques used to optimize vector and parallel performance.

Predicting Reservoir-Condition PV Compressibility From Hydrostatic-Stress Laboratory Data

Summary Laboratory PV reduction data can be converted into reservoir-condition formation compressibility through a nonlinear elastic model. Data demonstrate the validity of the theory for consolidated sandstone. The algorithm described requires a nonlinear fitting routine available in many computer subroutine libraries to obtain the prediction parameters.

HDC: A subroutine library for image processing using Burt’s hierarchical discrete correlation

This paper describes a library of subroutines that efficiently implement Burt’s (1981) hierarchical discrete correlation (HDC). The subroutines are written in Professional FORTRAN for IBM PCs or compatibles. Subroutines are included for both even and odd forms of the HDC, as well as for the corresponding algorithms for pyramid processing. Odd width kernels of up to 7×7 pixels and even width kernels of up to 6×8 pixels can be programmed easily with these subroutines. Thus, this library contains the forms of HDC that are most widely used in image processing and visual modeling. I show the efficiency of this implementation by reporting the execution time of each subroutine for several image sizes. I also present a method that simulates rotation of the kernel in order to allow applying kernels without circular symmetry at the desired orientation.

Software reuse myths

Reusing software is a simple, straightforward concept that has appealed to programmers since the first stored-program computer was created. Unfortunately, software reuse has not evolved beyond its most primitive forms of subroutine libraries and brute force program modification. This paper analyzes nine commonly believed software reuse myths. These myths reveal certain technical, organizational, and psychological software engineering research issues and trends.

DB-LIB: a tool box of data description and management

A description is given of DB-LIB, a library of FORTRAN-77 subroutines intended for the CAD package designer. This tool has been set up for dynamic structuring and restructuring of data as well as to minimize the access time to these data. It can be implemented on many computers and interfaces with CAD software packages. The data structures and functions of DB-LIB are described, and its application to the structuring of data for a finite-element electromagnetic field program is discussed.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Engineering and Scientific Subroutine Library for the IBM 3090 Vector Facility

The Engineering and Scientific Subroutine Library (ESSL) provides FORTRAN, Assembler, and APL2 application programmers with a high-performance set of mathematical subroutines which take advantage of the performance gains offered by the IBM 3090 Vector Facility. This paper describes the contents of ESSL and presents some of the techniques that were used to develop high-performance vector subroutines. Other key design considerations such as accuracy, ease of use, and error handling are also discussed. This information should be useful to anyone developing programs for the IBM 3090 Vector Facility.