Introduction to the CRPC Introduction to the CRPC High-performance computing is an essential tool in science and engineering. It is used to simulate physical phenomena, analyze data, link theory with reality, and design everything from simple machine parts to massively parallel computers. Further advancements in the use of high-performance computing will require not only faster, more powerful computers, but more efficient software and algorithms. However, successful efforts to increase the performance speed of traditional single-processor computers have come slowly in the past few years.
Parallel processing provides the answer to the problems of speed and efficiency.
Unfortunately, massively parallel machines require different algorithms from those used for sequential processing. Also, managing multiple processors makes parallel machines hard to program. These factors have inhibited the research community's acceptance of parallel computing. A concentrated effort to address these problems exists, however. Much has been accomplished since the CRPC's establishment.