Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Intel rev's tools for multi-core C++
Jul. 22, 2008

Intel released a new version of its Linux-compatible, open source library for multi-core C++ development. Version 2.1 of Intel Threading Building Blocks (TBB) offers performance improvements, adds a portable affinity mechanism, and improves the task scheduler to ease development for GUIs, network I/O, and artificial intelligence, says Intel.

Announced last July under the "GPLv2 with runtime exception" license, TBB is a cross-platform, portable library aimed at improving the performance of C++ applications on multi-core processors. Supporting Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, and Solaris, the library comprises a 120KB runtime combined with "template libraries" linked in at compile time, says Intel. TBB implements a task scheduler, memory allocator, and timing counter, along with various generic parallel algorithms, thread-safe containers, and synchronization primitives.


Overview of TBB 2.1 enhancements

Announced at O'Reilly's tenth-annual OSCON (Open Source Convention) today in Portland, Ore., Version 2.1 improves a number of TBB components, including the task scheduler and memory allocator, says Intel. It also adds the following new components:
  • tbb_threadabstraction
  • parallel_do
  • tbb_allocator
  • blocked_range3d
  • recursive_mutex
Previously, the task scheduler handled blocking tasks using non-portable native threads, which Intel says required additional thread management. The new tbb_threadabstraction component is said to streamline development by supporting blocking tasks without interfering with computational work. Another key feature is the new portable affinity mechanism, aimed at reducing cache changes in chained parallel operations.


Task scheduling in TBB 2.0 (left) and TBB 2.1 (right), which adds blocking task support
(Click either to enlarge)

Additional touted new features in TBB 2.1 include:
  • Support for 1-, 2- or 3-D ranges for more efficient work breakdown
  • Better performance throughout algorithms and containers
  • Choice of any memory allocator
  • Improved APIs
  • Better support for expert users using "black belt" hooks
  • Support for task cancellation and exceptions
TBB is said to simplify parallel programming by avoiding the low-level coding required with threading packages such as p-threads or Windows threads. It supports the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC), and Intel's commercial compilers, but was designed to support "any compiler," says the company.

O'Reilly's Intel TBB book
(Click for details)

In early May, Intel and Sun Microsystems announced they had ported TBB to Solaris and the Linux- and Solaris-compatible Sun Studio software toolchain. A year ago, OSCON host O'Reilly published a book on Intel TBB (see image).

Availability

TBB 2.1 is available starting July 23, says Intel. More information on the free, open-source version should be available here, and more details on Intel's commercial version may be found here.




Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

Mobile phones!

MIDs, UMPCs
& tablets

Mobile devices

Other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• Microsoft to bake own phone?
• Tux cashes in on paint
• Linux ported to iPhone
• Blockbuster box runs Linux
• Palm Pilot VM for Linux updated
• Linux-focused smartphone vendor announces cuts
• GCC for kernel hackers
• Linux powers free-to-air (FTA) satellite box
• Linux services firm hires MontaVista exec
• Robotic arm runs Linux
• Closed Linux driver problems described
• Linux hops on STD bus
• Wyse beefs up thin clients
• DRM client ported to mobile Linux distro
• iPhones to xhost Linux apps


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• Tutorial reveals desktop Linux security tips
• Fedora 10 first impressions
• 8,000 TuxTop models and counting
• "Moonlight" ready to shine
• Adobe unleashes 64-bit Flash
• Debian Lenny installer arrives
• Ubuntu announces ARM port
• Amazon offers Linux XOs
• Windows 7 "no threat" to netbook Linux
• Creative frees Sound Blaster driver code


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.