Parallel Python on PowerMac?

[Wolfgang Keller]

Hello,

as I might get a dual-G5 PowerMac someday in the not to distant future, I
was wondering what options are available for making Python benefit from the
second CPU? Running two interpreters and using Pyro would not be the most
efficient (and easiest) way, I guess?

TIA,

Best regards

Wolfgang Keller

[Alan Kennedy]

Re: Parallel Python on PowerMac?

[Wolfgang Keller][color=blue]
> as I might get a dual-G5 PowerMac someday in the not to distant
> future, I was wondering what options are available for making Python
> benefit from the second CPU? Running two interpreters and using Pyro
> would not be the most efficient (and easiest) way, I guess?[/color]

Qualifier: obviously efficiency is relative to the application.

But I would venture to say that, *in the general case*, the "most
efficient" way to benefit from a second cpu, both in terms of coding
time and execution efficiency, is to use either jython on a suitable jvm
or ironpython on mono (when it catches up with the .net CLR in efficiency).

I say "most efficient in execution efficiency" because all of the
de/serialization involved with communicating between two independent
cpython interpreters, using something like pyro, would outweigh whatever
performance advantage cpython might have over jython or ironpython. This
becomes more pronounced as you add more and more processors into the
picture.

I say "most efficient in coding time" because cpython would require you
to specially write code for inter-interpreter communications, and
possibly restructure your application accordingly, whereas jython and
ironpython won't: the same interpreter can have threads on multiple
processors, all executing simultaneously.

Although, iff your prospective machine supports System V IPC, you might
want to check out PoSH.

http://poshmodule.sourceforge.net

running-to-find-my-flame-retardant-suit-ly'yrs

--
alan kennedy
------------------------------------------------------
email alan: http://xhaus.com/contact/alan

[Wolfgang Keller]

Re: Parallel Python on PowerMac?

Hello,

and thanks for your reply.
[color=blue]
> But I would venture to say that, *in the general case*, the "most
> efficient" way to benefit from a second cpu, both in terms of coding
> time and execution efficiency, is to use either jython[/color]

*cough* *choke*

Err, no, sorry, not for me.
[color=blue]
> Although, iff your prospective machine supports System V IPC,[/color]

No clue whether MacOS X does so. Afaik it's basically a FreeBSD based on
Mach (from CMU) with a proprietary layer above.
[color=blue]
> you might want to check out PoSH.[/color]

Where's the binary installer for MacOS X?

Not having to use compilers and linkers and makefiles and the like was one
of the major reasons which made Python interesting for me...

Best regards,

Wolfgang Keller

[Wolfgang Keller]

POSH on PowerMac? (was: Parallel Python on PowerMac?)

>> Although, iff your prospective machine supports System V IPC,[color=blue]
>
> No clue whether MacOS X does so.[/color]

#@§$%&! Read before you post. According to "Mac OS X for UNIX Users"
there's a compatibility library included in Mac OS X that does so.

Now who's got a the tools and the know-how to port this thing to the Mac?

TIA,

Best regards,

Wolfgang Keller

[Robert Kern]

Re: Parallel Python on PowerMac?

Alan Kennedy wrote:
[color=blue]
> Although, iff your prospective machine supports System V IPC, you might
> want to check out PoSH.
>
> http://poshmodule.sourceforge.net[/color]

It uses inline assembly, so that's a no-go on the PPC unless someone
ports the assembly code.

--
Robert Kern
rkern@ucsd.edu

"In the fields of hell where the grass grows high
Are the graves of dreams allowed to die."
-- Richard Harter