Compiling Fortran-8x Array Features For The Connection Machine Computer-System

The Connection Machine® computer system supports a data parallel programming style, making it a natural target architecture for Fortran 8x array constructs. The Connection Machine Fortran compiler generates VAX code that performs scalar operations and directs the Connection Machine to perform array operations. The Connection Machine virtual processor mechanism supports elemental operations on very large arrays. Most array operators and intrinsic functions map into single instructions or short instruction sequences. Noncontiguous array sections, array-valued subscripts, and parallel constructs such as WHERE and FORALL are also readily accommodated on the Connection Machine. In addition to such customary optimizations as common subexpression elimination, the CM Fortran compiler minimizes data motion for aligning array operations, minimizes transfers between the Connection Machine and the VAX and minimizes context switching for masked computations.