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NAG Ping - Issue 12 (July 2003)This issue covers:
Top Story - NAG Libraries available for Apple MacOS X Important developments in NAG's numerical libraries... In August 2002, NAG released the NAGWare f95 Compiler for Apple MacOS X in our first step toward re-establishing MacOS as a preferred platform for technical computing. Building on that first release, NAG has since followed by developing versions of its world-leading numerical libraries for MacOS X. We now offer the 860 routine NAG C Library, the 1280 routine NAG Fortran Library and the NAG Fortran 90 Library for MacOS X. MacOS X, with its fast and stable UNIX kernel, and Apple's long established ease of use make this a desirable platform for technical computing. NAG products enable both the use of legacy Fortran code and incorporation of the newest Fortran 2000 features. NAG Libraries permit users to improve the speed and robustness of existing code while reducing future maintenance and porting headaches. In applications from ocean modeling to the simulation of the evolution of stars, experienced users are saying:
"A great compiler at an affordable price." "The combination of NAG’s highly standards-compliant f95 compiler and my Titanium Powerbook make an excellent pair for modeling." Interested in a free, 30-day trial of either the NAG f95 compiler, Fortran Library, or C Library?, Go to here or write to us at sales@nag.com. Tips & Hints - Random Numbers and Time Series Random Number Generators Are you simulating a process and need help in selecting the right random number generator? NAG’s C and Fortran Libraries have dozens of random number generators available, including a (pseudo) random number algorithm that makes up to 273 independent generators available. Two quasi-random number generators are also included. These can be particularly useful for multidimensional Monte Carlo methods. Please refer to the Random Number Generators chapter introduction and the list of available routines. Time Series Analysis Do you need to forecast autoregressive time series in finance or other applications? The NAG Libraries Time Series Analysis chapter includes a number of routines for parameter estimation and forecasting for univariate regression GARCH, asymmetric GARCH and EGARCH processes. Please refer to the Time Series Analysis chapter introduction and the list of available routines. AMD and NAG Advance 64-bit Computing
In April 2003, AMD formally announced their newest advance - the Opterontm and
Athlon64tm processors for 64-bit server and desktop applications with full
backward compatibility for 32-bit applications. This was the culmination of AMD’s strategy
to make affordable the power of 64-bit computing on both servers and desktops. But in
creating a new architecture, AMD also needed to assemble the less visible infrastructure
that enables processors to crunch numbers efficiently. AMD chose NAG early on to create
the various mathematical underpinnings to achieve the potential of the new architecture.
Learn more about libm and ACML and why these two acronyms make a difference by pointing to:
News - NAG Libraries for Intel Compilers
In June of 2002, NAG became a value-added reseller of Intel software development tools,
including compilers, performance analyzers, threading tools and libraries. Part of what
made NAG an especially appealing partner to Intel was the potential synergy between the
world standard NAG Numerical Libraries and the increasingly popular Intel compilers and
tools. Months later, the potential has begun to be realized. NAG now offers the following
numerical library products optimized to take advantage of Pentium III Xeontm, Pentium 4,
as well as Itanium 64-bit architectures:
Origins Of NAG - Part 2 - Turing to Wilkinson As we sit at our multi-gigahertz desktop workstations in 2003, pondering the finer points of building applications in Java, C, Fortran, or some powerful desktop computing environment, it is sobering to think that we work today within a single lifespan of the birth of the programmable, electronic computer. Our notions of time are like an upside down version of Moore’s Law; that is, an innovation occurring two years ago seems like four years ago. An event five years ago is positively ancient history. At NAG, those of us here today helping to add the next techniques in areas such as data mining to a 30+ year-old collection of algorithms occasionally pause to consider our place in history. Here’s a connection to consider: On June 23, 1912, Alan M. Turing was born in London into a world that could not be much more different than our own. He was brilliant at math and chemistry but was also eccentric and struggled with the conventions of education. In 1936 while at Cambridge, he published a paper on abstract numbers in which he introduced the concept of a programmable computing machine. Computer Science majors from the last thirty years may smile in recognition, recalling programming exercises on simulated Turing Machines. During the Second World War, Turing was crucial to efforts which broke the encryption methods used by the Germans. After the war he continued to pursue his concept of a programmable computer at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in London and later at the University of Manchester. His work in programming helped develop one of the early collections of subroutines and furthered the broader area of numerical analysis. To Turing we owe many things, including some of the foundational concepts in artificial intelligence. Turing died in tragic circumstances at the age of 41 with much of his promise unfulfilled. Fortunately, for developers of sophisticated numerical applications today, Turing had an assistant while at NPL whose name was James Hardy Wilkinson. In the next NAG Ping, read more about how Wilkinson helped turn Turing’s pioneering ideas into practical machines and his role in creating the modern NAG Library routines you might use today. NAG's Web/Trial Store - Making it Easier to Try - and Buy NAG software may be sophisticated, but obtaining a trial copy or purchasing it doesn't have to be "rocket science". If you have a workstation running Windows, Linux, UNIX or MacOS X, you can download NAG products for trial download and make a purchase at NAG's Web/Trial store. Whatever time it is where you are, we’ll be open. So visit us for a fast, efficient, trial download or secure purchase transaction (NAG accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express). We'll always check with you to make certain that your trial or purchase went smoothly and the product was suited to your needs. Technical Papers Available on NAG’s Web Site - Mathematical Web Services At NAG we frequently write articles on technical computing for various publications. The topics range from avoiding the pitfalls of computer arithmetic to data cleaning methods to using quasi-random number generators for financial modeling. A recent addition is a report on the convergence of web services and mathematics, describing NAG’s work with others to lay the foundation for a world where your computer searches the Web to find the right method, under the right terms and at the right price; all without the need for you to lift a finger. Click here to access our archive of technical papers. Event - International Statistical Institute 2003, August 13-20, 2003, Berlin, Germany NAG will be exhibiting at the 54th Session of the International Statistical Institute (ISI) in Berlin in August. Over 3000 statisticians and mathematicians from around the globe are expected to attend this biennial event. We will be available to discuss our mathematical and statistical components at booth 23.
Event - PeopleSoft Connect 2003, September 14-18, 2003, Anaheim, CA NAG will be participating in this years’ PeopleSoft Connect, the industry's premier gathering for IT and business professionals who utilize PeopleSoft products and services to achieve their business objectives.
Event - SC2003, November 15-21, 2003, Phoenix, AZ SC2003 continues the 15-year Supercomputing Conference tradition of highlighting the most innovative developments in high-performance computing and networking. Bringing together scientists, engineers, researchers, educators, programmers, system administrators and managers, SC2003 in Phoenix will demonstrate how these developments are sparking new ideas and new industries. Visit NAG at booth 2900. In the Next NAG Ping
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