Abstract
This manual describes the use of PETSc for the numerical solution of partial differential equations and related problems on high-performance computers. The Portable, Extensible Toolkit for Scientific Computation (PETSc) is a suite of data structures and routines that provide the building blocks for the implementation of large-scale application codes on parallel (and serial) computers. PETSc uses the MPI standard for all message-passing communication.
PETSc includes an expanding suite of parallel linear, nonlinear equation solvers and time integrators
that may be used in application codes written in Fortran, C, C++, Python, and MATLAB (sequential). PETSc provides many of the mechanisms needed within parallel application codes, such as parallel matrix
and vector assembly routines. The library is organized hierarchically, enabling users to employ the level of abstraction that is most appropriate for a particular problem. By using techniques of object-oriented programming, PETSc provides enormous flexibility for users.
PETSc is a sophisticated set of software tools; as such, for some users it initially has a much steeper
learning curve than a simple subroutine library. In particular, for individuals without some computer science
background, experience programming in C, C++ or Fortran and experience using a debugger such as gdb
or dbx, it may require a significant amount of time to take full advantage of the features that enable efficient
software use. However, the power of the PETSc design and the algorithms it incorporates may make the
efficient implementation of many application codes simpler than ” rolling them” yourself.
• For many tasks a package such as MATLAB is often the best tool; PETSc is not intended for the
classes of problems for which effective MATLAB code can be written. PETSc also has a MATLAB
interface, so portions of your code can be written in MATLAB to ” try out” the PETSc solvers. The
resulting code will not be scalable however because currently MATLAB is inherently not scalable.
• PETSc should not be used to attempt to provide a ” parallel linear solver” in an otherwise sequential
code. Certainly all parts of a previously sequential code need not be parallelized but the matrix
generation portion must be parallelized to expect any kind of reasonable performance. Do not expect
to generate your matrix sequentially and then ” use PETSc” to solve the linear system in parallel.
Since PETSc is under continued development, small changes in usage and calling sequences of routines
will occur. PETSc is supported; see the web site http://www.mcs.anl.gov/petsc for information on contacting
support.
A http://www.mcs.anl.gov/petsc/publications may be found a list of publications and web sites that
feature work involving PETSc.
We welcome any reports of corrections for this document.
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