Ecouss

The movement towards heterogeneous multi-core architectures is a fundamental shift in the computer science landscape and in particular in the programming models. The strengths and capabilities of programming models are thereby directly dependant on the underlying compiler. Most common compilers are still centred on sequential machines and focus on specific hardware models, thus impacting on performance and portability. Due to the high complexity of modern compilers, it is almost impossible to reconstruct why and how a compiler performed certain transformation steps, let alone alter or influence them for the purpose of exploiting specific developer expertise that the compiler cannot have.

The ECOUSS project enables the developer to gain more control and insight into the transformation process and empowering him to create semantic programming extensions that can automate recurring optimisation and adaptation steps. To this end, ECOUSS analyses the specific programming behaviour of HPC experts and their optimisation strategies to specific hardware models. The conflicts arising from the classical compiler strategies will then be exploited to reorganise programming behaviour and compiler mechanisms in a more holistic fashion. Together with a rich programming extension, this will enable the common developer to create more efficient and portable code without having to worry about the platform details, and enable the experienced developer to quickly realise highly efficient domain specific extensions.

ECOUSS is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.