Parallel Processing

[Dalceon]

Is C++ an implicit or explict parallel processing language??

Implicit: The compiler can decide how to use multiple processors if available

Explicit: You can in code determine what to run on each processor.

We're having a discussion with one of our teachers. He says that only Java and ADA allow for explicit multiprocessing.

Thanks

[twanvl]

C++ itsself says nothing about multiple processors or multiple threads, and I don't think Java and ADA do.

You can however use platoform specific APIs (like Win32 API) and portable APIs (like the C library) to do things like threads and maybe even processor scheduling.

However, all scheduling stuff is decided at runtime by the operating system, no matter what language you program in. (unless you're writing your own OS and use Assambly)

[parksie]

As was said, threading is possible with OS support and portable libraries.

Certain compilers (like the SGI MIPSpro compiler) have functions which internally use multiple CPUs, such as for performing a sqrt on an array of numbers. These will, obviously, only work on that platform.

[CornedBee]

Neither the C nor the C++ standard libraries have any functions for threading. The boost library has a threading part, but of course this too relies on OS support and needs a seperate implementation for every platform.

He says that only Java and ADA allow for explicit multiprocessing.

Crap. Typical programming teacher.