Introduction to OpenACC Programming Model

Participants from this course will learn GPU programming using the OpenACC programming model, such as compute constructs, loop constructs and data clauses. Furthermore, understanding the GPU architecture and how parallel threads blocks are created and used to parallelise the computational task. Moreover, GPU is an accelerator; hence, there must be a good understanding of memory management between the GPU and CPU, which will also be discussed in detail. Finally, participants will also learn to use the OpenACC programming model to accelerate linear algebra (routines) and iterative solvers on the GPU. Participants will learn theories first and implement the OpenACC programming model with mentors’ guidance later in the hands-on tutorial part.

Prerequisites

  • Good working knowledge of C/C++ and/or FORTRAN is needed.

  • No GPU programming knowledge is required; however, knowing the OpenMP programming model is advantageous.

Software setup

The lesson

Learning outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understanding the GPU architecture (and also the difference between GPU and CPU)

    • Streaming architecture

    • Threads blocks

  • Implement the OpenACC programming model

    • Compute constructs

    • Loop constructs

    • Data clauses

  • Efficient handling of memory management

    • Host to Device

    • Unified memory

  • Apply the OpenACC programming knowledge to accelerate examples from science and engineering:

    • Iterative solvers from science and engineering

    • Vector multiplication, vector addition, etc.