Chapter 2

Introduction to High-Performance Computing

Abstract

This chapter introduces high-performance computing (HPC). High-performance computing is used in every field of science and engineering and cannot be taken for granted. The pioneers of HPC and their contribution are discussed and the world's top five computers are mentioned and discussed in detail. Sparse matrices, libraries necessary to run an HPC environment, such as LAPACK and BLAS, are also discussed in detail.

Keywords

BLAS; Engineering; High-performance computing; LAPACK; Science; Sparse matrix; Top500

1. A Short History

“Necessity is the mother of invention” is a famous proverb. Science and technology have led us to a stage in which everything depends on computers. Modern computers ...

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