Visualizing the performance of parallel matrix algorithms

©1990 IEEE. We have constructed an animation tool called MaTRIX (Matrix TRace In X) for performance evaluation of parallel algorithms for dense matrix operations. It portrays the execution of a program in the context of the application by displaying the primary matrix and showing which parts of the matrix are being operated on, which processors are operating on those parts, and what operations are being performed. Colors and patterns are used to identify activity and differentiate between unique processors and various operations. The animation uses postprocessed trace files generated during the execution of a program, thereby enabling the display to be run at various speeds. Coupled with displays of processor activity and utilization, the animation provides application-oriented performance information that is useful in determining causes of poor performance. The tool is written to use XWindows and employ the tracing facilities in the PICL library, and is thereby portable to a wide range of parallel architectures and visual display devices