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On the Numerical Efficiency of C++ in Scientific Computing

In: Numerical Methods and Software Tools in Industrial Mathematics

Author

Listed:
  • Erlend Arge

    (SINTEF)

  • Are Magnus Bruaset

    (SINTEF)

  • Phillip B. Calvin

    (University of North Carolina, Dept. of Environmental Sciences and Engineering)

  • Joseph F. Kanney

    (University of North Carolina)

  • Hans Petter Langtangen

    (University of Oslo, Dept. of Mathematics)

  • Cass T. Miller

    (University of North Carolina)

Abstract

We investigate the relative efficiency of C++ and C code versus FORTRAN 77 code through numerical experiments conducted on a range of computer platforms. The problem areas cover basic linear algebra and finite element solution of porous media fluid flow and species transport problems. The C++ codes are short and make extensive use of Diffpack, a generic library based on object-oriented programming techniques, while the FORTRAN and C programs are either based on vendor supplied numerical libraries or written and tuned particularly for the test problem. Challenges encountered in optimizing C++ codes and the efficiency of dynamic memory handling in C++ are also addressed. Differences in computational efficiency observed for the problem areas studied were small, and tended to be problem dependent. Based on our experience with optimizing C++ code, we conclude that the use of object-oriented techniques should be confined to high-level administrative tasks, while CPU intensive numerics should be implemented using low-level C code and carefully constructed for-loops.

Suggested Citation

  • Erlend Arge & Are Magnus Bruaset & Phillip B. Calvin & Joseph F. Kanney & Hans Petter Langtangen & Cass T. Miller, 1997. "On the Numerical Efficiency of C++ in Scientific Computing," Springer Books, in: Morten Dæhlen & Aslak Tveito (ed.), Numerical Methods and Software Tools in Industrial Mathematics, chapter 5, pages 91-118, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-1-4612-1984-2_5
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4612-1984-2_5
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