An Introduction to Parallel Programming

Many scientific computations require a considerable amount of computing time. This computing time can be reduced by distributing a problem over several processors. Multiprocessor computers used to be quite expensive, and not everybody had access to them. Since 2005, x86-compatible CPUs designed for desktop computers are available with two "cores", which essentially makes them dualprocessor systems. More cores per CPU are to follow.

This cheap extra computing power has to be used efficiently, which equires parallel programming. Parallel programming methods that work on dual-core PCs also work on larger shared memory systems