PETSc 2.3.1 review

PETSc is a suite of data structures and routines for the scalable (parallel) solution of scientific applications modeled by partial d

License: GPL (GNU General Public License) File size: 10035K Developer: PETSc Maintainers

0

PETSc is a suite of data structures and routines for the scalable (parallel) solution of scientific applications modeled by partial differential equations.

PETSc library employs the MPI standard for all message-passing communication.

PETSc is easy to use for beginners. Moreover, its careful design allows advanced users to have detailed control over the solution process. PETSc includes a large suite of parallel linear and nonlinear equation solvers that are easily used in application codes written in C, C++, Fortran and now Python.

PETSc provides many of the mechanisms needed within parallel application codes, such as simple parallel matrix and vector assembly routines that allow the overlap of communication and computation. In addition, PETSc includes support for parallel distributed arrays useful for finite difference methods.

Here are some key features of "PETSc":
Parallel vectors
scatters (handles communicating ghost point information)
gathers
Parallel matrices
several sparse storage formats
easy, efficient assembly.
Scalable parallel preconditioners
Krylov subspace methods
Parallel Newton-based nonlinear solvers
Parallel timestepping (ODE) solvers
Complete documentation
Automatic profiling of floating point and memory usage
Consistent interface
Intensive error checking
Portable to UNIX and Windows
Over one hundred examples
PETSc is supported and will be actively enhanced for many years.