NPAC Technical Report SCCS-625
Preliminary Evaluation of High-Performance Fortran as a Language for Computational Fluid Dynamics
Edward Bogucz, Geoffrey Fox, Tom Haupt, Kenneth Hawick, Sanjay Ranka
Submitted June 20 1994
Abstract
This paper evaluates the High-Performance Fortran (HPF) language as a
candidate for implementing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software
on parallel-architecture computer systems. The paper reviews major
HPF language features and discusses general algorithmic issues common
to broad classes of CFD codes. Broader application areas, such as
those covered by the NAS parallel benchmarks are also reviewed for
suitability for HPF implementation. HPF is shown to provide
convenient language structures for implementing several widely-used
CFD algorithms, including finite-difference and finite-volume solvers
that use regular grids. Other CFD algorithms --- including
multi-block, multi-grid and unstructured-mesh approaches --- are most
conveniently expressed using extensions to the initial HPF language
specification.