Reformulation of the performance portability metric

What is it about?

This article presents a proof of the theoretical flaws in the definition of the new performance portability metric, considers the practical implications of these flaws as reflected in many studies that have used it in recent years, and proposes a revised metric that addresses the flaws and provides guidelines on how to use it correctly.

Featured Image

Photo by Todd Quackenbush on Unsplash

Photo by Todd Quackenbush on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The 3‐P challenge of high‐performance programming—performance, portability and productivity—has become more difficult than ever in the age of heterogeneous computing. It would be naïve to think that the performance portability problem can be completely solved, but it can certainly be reduced and made tolerable. However, first and foremost, an agreement is needed on what it means for an application to be performance portable. Unfortunately, there is still no consensus in the scientific community on a workable definition of the term performance portability.