Now that multi-core processors are becoming mainstream, developers need to thread their code so it will run in parallel. OpenMP1 can provide a useful way to thread an application. But what should you know about your threaded code’s performance, and what does that mean when using OpenMP? In an earlier paper2, we discovered that all threading methods have a consistent startup cost, but that OpenMP has some performance advantages over typical Windows* threading, due to its use of thread pooling. more>

This is the last of three white papers that teach you, an experienced C/C++ programmer, how to get started using OpenMP*, simplifying creation, synchronization, and deletion of threads in your applications. The first paper introduced you to the most common feature of OpenMP: work sharing for loops. The second paper taught you how to exploit non-loop parallelism and the usage of the synchronization directives. This final paper discusses the library functions, the environment variables, how to debug your application when things go wrong, and some tips for maximizing performance. more>

OpenMP provides a powerful, portable, and simple means of threading applications. In some cases, however, developers should choose the flexibility of native threading APIs. The guidelines in this article help to identify whether OpenMP is an appropriate choice for a given situation. more>

Learn about Sun's plans for MySQL from the developer's point of view. See what the future holds for the leading open source database. more>

Sun’s acquisition of the MySQL open source database offers enormous opportunities for Sun and our customers and partners to meet the demands of the fast-growing network economy. more>

Java* threads provide a vital performance boost to nearly all apps. Discover how these threads are becoming a standard part of Java* programming by exploiting Hyper-Threading Technology and the new multi-core Intel® processors. more>

Achieve outstanding application performance with advanced optimization features such as Intel® EM64T support, Interprocedural and Profile-Guided Optimization, branch prediction and software pipelining. more>

There are several different methods of atomically locking code and data on a Microsoft Windows platform. The primary purpose of this whitepaper is to give developers a brief introduction to the different methods of locking in Windows and the associated performance costs associated with those locks. This information is particularly applicable since future architectures will be multi-core. more>

This paper discusses a robust algorithm to help application software enumerate the processor and cache topology in any single or multi-processor platform, using Intel processors. Enumerating processor topology correctly is essential for implementing licensing policy requirements. Understanding processor and cache topology information allows multithreading software to make more efficient use of hardware multithreading resources and deliver optimal performance more>

As a software developer wanting to take advantage of multi-core processors, you are faced with the challenge of determining whether or not threading will improve performance, be worth the effort, or even be possible. more>

See the lessons learned in this case study of Sun's outsourcing initiatives. Gain valuable insight from Sun's many years of outsourcing experience. more>

Now that multi-core processors are becoming mainstream, developers need to thread their code so it will run in parallel. OpenMP1 can provide a useful way to thread an application. But what should you know about your threaded code’s performance, and what does that mean when using OpenMP? In an earlier paper2, we discovered that all threading methods have a consistent startup cost, but that OpenMP has some performance advantages over typical Windows* threading, due to its use of thread pooling. more>

OpenMP provides a powerful, portable, and simple means of threading applications. In some cases, however, developers should choose the flexibility of native threading APIs. The guidelines in this article help to identify whether OpenMP is an appropriate choice for a given situation. more>

As you know, OpenMP* contains a very powerful set of pragmas that help you parallelize a loop. What you may not know is that OpenMP can be used to thread more than just loops. When the "parallel for" construct falls a little short, OpenMP has additional pragmas, constructs, and function calls that come to the rescue. more>

Dual-core and Quad-core processors are fast becoming the staple in desktop and mobile computing. In this article, performance data comparing single-threaded and multi-threaded matrix-vector multiplication are presented. In addition to multi-threading the routine, it was also optimized using Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) instructions. The different implementations were tested on an Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme quad-core processor, QX6700. more>

Read and comment on the latest trends in open source in this blog. more>

In a 1965 paper, Gordon Moore predicted that the number of transistors that could be integrated into a single silicon chip would approximately double every 18 to 24 months. That prediction became widely known as Moore’s Law, and engineers at Intel have been transforming that law into reality for more than 40 years. more>

Now that multi-core processors are becoming mainstream, developers need to thread their code so it will run in parallel. OpenMP1 can provide a useful way to thread an application. But what should you know about your threaded code’s performance, and what does that mean when using OpenMP? In an earlier paper2, we discovered that all threading methods have a consistent startup cost, but that OpenMP has some performance advantages over typical Windows* threading, due to its use of thread pooling. more>

There are several different methods of atomically locking code and data on a Microsoft Windows platform. The primary purpose of this whitepaper is to give developers a brief introduction to the different methods of locking in Windows and the associated performance costs associated with those locks. This information is particularly applicable since future architectures will be multi-core. more>

Learn about the Sun and NSA collaboration on Sun OpenSolaris opoerating system security. more>

IBM Rational invites you to participate in the Open Beta program for Rational Software Architect V7 and Rational Functional Tester V7. By participating in this program, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the development teams on the latest versions of these products. Your early feedback is very important to the development process of the latest version of these products, so register today to get involved: more>

Intel® Integrated Performance Primitives (Intel® IPP) is a software library of performance-optimized functions for digital media and data processing applications. more>

Browse through our extensive list of trade publications and technical documents by industry and geographic eligibility to find the titles that best match your skills and interests. Simply complete the application form and submit it. Publications are absolutely free to professionals who qualify. more>

Get the latest thinking of the key architects of "The Network is the Computer" at the new Executive Perspectives site. Jonathan Schwartz, Scott McNealy, Greg Papadopoulos, and Michael Lehman provide their insights on what's in store for the future of computing.. more>

Learn about the top five vulnerabilities in web scale deployments from Sun security experts. more>

Learn how Sun is solving the problems associated with accumulating massive amounts of fixed content storage such as medical records. more>

There are several different methods of atomically locking code and data on a Microsoft Windows platform. The primary purpose of this whitepaper is to give developers a brief introduction to the different methods of locking in Windows and the associated performance costs associated with those locks. This information is particularly applicable since future architectures will be multi-core. more>

Get the latest thinking of the key architects of "The Network is the Computer" at the new Executive Perspectives site. Jonathan Schwartz, Scott McNealy, Greg Papadopoulos, and Michael Lehman provide their insights on what's in store for the future of computing.. more>

Dual-core and Quad-core processors are fast becoming the staple in desktop and mobile computing. In this article, performance data comparing single-threaded and multi-threaded matrix-vector multiplication are presented. In addition to multi-threading the routine, it was also optimized using Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) instructions. The different implementations were tested on an Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme quad-core processor, QX6700. more>

Mobile Computing Broadband Wireless Access Security Network: Mobile software applications can realize a level of security that satisfies the needs of most companies. Learn the tricks of the trade to protect your mobile applications and devices from unauthorized access. more>

Companies are recognizing the potential for mobilized software to increase employee productivity. Critical to the realization of this potential, however, are applications designed to handle the realities of the mobile computing environment. But several factors need to be addressed before software apps can be mobilized. more>

When you extend your applications to mobile platforms, it's critical that budgets, deployment plans, and policies be managed to ensure that such deployments are made safely and securely. more>

Join us on Oct. 25, as we explore the customizable components of WebSphere Application Server Community Edition and demonstrate how these components can be tailored to fit specific business needs. Learn how with WAS CE, you can go beyond Tomcat and utilize pre-integrated features such as ActiveMQ for messaging, Apache Axis for web services, and OpenEJB for EJB support. more>

IBM Rational invites you to participate in the Open Beta program for Rational Software Architect V7 and Rational Functional Tester V7. By participating in this program, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the development teams on the latest versions of these products. Your early feedback is very important to the development process of the latest version of these products, so register today to get involved: more>

How-To Tips on Building Web 2.0 Apps with AJAX. Web 2.0 developers, get step-by-step guidance on building applications with AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) with this Java Pet Store 2.0 application article and demo. more>

Explicit threading methods, such as Windows* threads or POSIX* threads, use library calls to create, manage, and synchronize threads. Use of explicit threads requires an almost complete restructuring of affected code. On the other hand, OpenMP* is a set of pragmas, API functions, and environment variables that enable you to incorporate threads into your applications at a relatively high level. The OpenMP pragmas are used to denote regions in the code that can be run concurrently. more>

VB.NET Tutorial: Unresponsive programs are extremely frustrating to use. Applications that sometimes freeze for a moment are a source of much irritation, especially if they don't provide any feedback on what they are doing, or how long it is likely to be before they start responding again. more>

Every ten years or so the world shifts under our feet, and we either adjust or we get left behind. In the 1980s I was programming in Unix using *. We were doing great things, building on-line services hosted on Intel® 286 processor computers. Unix offered a multitasking environment not then available under DOS. In the early 1990s I switched from C to C++ and from Unix to Windows. I wrote a lot of books on C++ and I think it is a great language, but I can read the handwriting on the wall. The next platform is .NET and the language of choice for .NET development is C#. more>

As the use of computers and computer networking continues to skyrocket, the demand for software developers is expecting to explode also. As organizations adopt and incorporate new technology into their businesses, software developers and those with IT degrees will be needed to implement the changes. more>

An MBA degree with a specialty in IT prepares you for information management positions in a variety of industries. The IT MBA program couples the career-oriented focus of a traditional MBA program with a rigorous technology management curriculum. This advanced degree cross-trains you in the world of business and IT, expanding your knowledge in both areas. more>

A master's degree in software development or an IT-related field is one of the best ways to advance your already-budding career. The skills you will acquire in a software or web development graduate program will increase your value as an employee and prepare you for more challenging roles. more>