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Code optimization

Our application specialists can support you in improving the performance of your scientific computations, from small scripts to large software package. Smaller optimization requests are typically handled through the regular user support, while more extensive efforts may require establishing a funded development project.

How does it work?

In practice, the optimization service consists mainly of consultations between the scientific code developer and our application specialist. For example, we can analyze the performance of an application and provide proof-of-concept implementations for solving the observed performance bottlenecks. The scientific code developer takes care of implementing the proposed solutions to the production code as well as verifying them.

Example projects

Development projects suitable for this service include:

  • Enabling the use of accelerator technologies such as graphics processing units (GPU)
  • Code optimization, i.e., improving single-core and parallel efficiency of an application
  • Parallelization of a serial code
  • Reduction of memory and/or I/O requirements of an application, especially when these have become a usability or performance bottleneck
  • Conversion of an MPI application into a hybrid MPI+OpenMP application

During funded development projects, CSC has contributed to various research software. Past and present examples include:

  • CellSim3D – software developed for the mechanics and growth of cellular structures and soft colloid dynamics.
  • GPAW – software for density-functional theory (DFT) and beyond within the projector-augmented wave method.
  • HiDEM – software for simulating the fracture and fragmentation of materials.
  • TurboGAP – software offering functionality for machine-learning driven atomistic simulation.
  • Vlasiator – software for large-scale modeling of space plasmas with a focus on the solar-terrestrial interaction.

For inquiries about CellSim3D and HiDEM, please contact CSC Service Desk.

How to get started?

CSC reserves the right to prioritize the development projects and control the dedicated resources. The first level service is free-of-charge for academic users. To get started, send a free-form description of your case to CSC Service Desk.

We also recommend reading our related user guides in Docs CSC, for example: