[cctbxbb] Should we enable boost threads in bootstrap?

[Lee O'Riordan]

Graeme, Nigel,

I would be a little bit worried about Boost threads when it comes to our
KNL port of cctbx. In this instance the use of OpenMP or Intel TBB (at
least accordingly to Intel docs) would be optimal over boost threads (or
pthreads, etc.)[see Intel Xeon Phi High Performance Programming, KNL
edition P155 --- no ebook, sorry]. That being said, there is no way to know
unless we try it out first, but it isn't something we can test right now.

As for Threads vs MP, this again falls into our KNL port, where threads
would be better suited (and become a necessity for optimal performance)
when running on high-core count devices. If the OpenMP functionality
exists, then maybe this would be a more portable way of taking advantage of
all cores/hyperthreads.

In this instance I think turning boost threads on for a build-by-build
basis would be better, rather than as a default? Though if I am wrong, feel
free to correct me.

Best,
Lee.

On Tue, Aug 1, 2017 at 9:36 AM, Nigel Moriarty <nwmoriarty at lbl.gov> wrote:

> Graeme
>
> The short answer is "Why?" but that may start a very long discussion.
> There are a number of multiprocessing modules in easy_mp that seem to cover
> all the bases. Are there situations where threading is "better" to
> multiprocessing?
>
> Articles on multiprocessing in cctbx.
>
> https://www.phenix-online.org/newsletter/CCN_2017_01.pdf#page=6
>
> https://www.phenix-online.org/newsletter/CCN_2013_07.pdf
>
> https://www.phenix-online.org/newsletter/CCN_2013_01.pdf
>
>
> Cheers
>
> Nigel
>
> ---
> Nigel W. Moriarty
> Building 33R0349, Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging
> Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
> Berkeley, CA 94720-8235
> Phone : 510-486-5709 <(510)%20486-5709>     Email : NWMoriarty at LBL.gov
> Fax   : 510-486-5909 <(510)%20486-5909>       Web  : CCI.LBL.gov
>
> On Tue, Aug 1, 2017 at 7:54 AM, <Graeme.Winter at diamond.ac.uk> wrote:
>
>> Afternoon all,
>>
>> Should we do this? Any opinions? Could be useful for threads in a
>> semi-portable way...
>>
>> Thanks & cheerio Graeme
>>
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