OpenCL in Beta SDK for GPUs and Multicore CPUs
Chipmaker AMD has integrated the open standard OpenCL specification for parallel programming into its ATI Stream development environment.
The Open Computing Language (OpenCL) should allow developers to address both graphical and multicore processors for their parallel programming projects with a new beta version of the ATI Stream SDK version 2.0. The idea behind the OpenCL specification is to harmonize parallel programming for GPUs and multicore CPUs to improve speed and responsiveness.
By AMD's own reckoning, integrating the specification into its ATI development environment represents the first ever OpenCL development platform. The final version of ATI Stream SDK 2.0 is planned for later in 2009. The SDK is downloadable from the AMD project page as binaries in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The supported Linux distros are openSUSE 11 and Ubuntu 8.04. SDK use requires registration as an AMD developer, after which participation in their forum is available.
OpenCL is an open standard for parallel programming for multicore and graphics processors. The current specification version 1.0 has information on the C-based programming language and the platform-layer and runtime APIs. Around 30 firms are involved in its development, among them IBM, Intel, Toshiba, Freescale, Nvidia, QNX and Texas Instruments. The AMD ATI website includes an introduction to OpenCL. The Khronos Group, which is initiating the OpenCL development effort, has the full 300-page specification on their website.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Dutch Government Turns to Open Source for Digital Sovereignty
Following in the footsteps of European countries, the Netherlands is looking to increase its sovereign digital infrastructure with open source software.
-
Linux May Soon Work on Snapdragon X2-Based PCs
If you're thinking about buying a Snapdragon X2-based desktop or laptop, Linux may soon be an option.
-
KDE for People Initiative Calls for AI Ban in Plasma
A new community of KDE wants the project to adopt a strict no-AI policy for KDE Plasma.
-
KDE Sets Ambitious Goals for 2026 and Beyond
KDE Connect reveals the goals for the Linux desktop darling, with one of those goals long overdue.
-
It’s Time to Test Fedora 45 Beta
Fedora 45 beta has been released with updated Gnome, KDE Plasma, and kernel.
-
Ubuntu Stonking Stingray Gets Even Rustier
Ubuntu 26.10 has completed its migration to the Rust-based coreutils.
-
AI Fixes Linux Bottlenecks Using “Hideous” Code
A Linux developer used AI to fix bottlenecks that caused problems when building the kernel. The resulting AI-generated code needed a lot of work.
-
Advanced Video Coding Still Under Patent
Brazilian patent BRPI0109962B1 has expired, which means that DivX and Xvid are no longer problematic for Linux, but it doesn’t mean that video is all of a sudden fully unleashed.
-
2,000 Vulnerabilities per Linux Release
Thanks to AI bug hunters, the Linux kernel is seeing record numbers of vulnerabilities, and it's overwhelming developers.
-
Linux Exempt from California’s Age Verification Law
So long as Linux is distributed under the GPL, MIT, BSD, and Apache licenses, the OS is exempt from being required to verify the age of its users in California.