180°

Overview of programming the Cell Processor from the IBM research archive

The Cell Broadband Processor is a hard to understandable enigma to programmers who have worked in the standard PC environment for a long time. With the hints from the following papers and the introduction of the IBM XL C/C++ compiler in 2007 it is now much easier to learn and program the Cell.

1st: Introduction to the XL C/C++ compiler for Linux and the Cell
http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/rep_ca/3/897/ENUS207-253/index.html

2nd: Using advanced compiler technology to exploit the performance of the Cell Broadband Engine architecture
(that is to say read this for great hints (instruction buffering and branch hint commands))
http://researchweb.watson.ibm.com/journal/sj/451/eichenberger.html

3rd: A tutorial in several parts "compiling for the cell"
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/pa-dw-pa-cbecompile1-i.html

4th: The Cell Project
http://researchweb.watson.ibm.com/cell/cell_programming.html
http://www.research.ibm.com/cell/publications.html

5th and final: CellSs: Making it easier to program the Cell Broadband Engine processor
http://researchweb.watson.ibm.com/journal/rd/515/perez.html

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researchweb.watson.ibm.com
JoelR5834d ago

btw: the car is created using iRT raytracer on Cell Broadband Processor

PoSTedUP5833d ago

really? yea, i think i seen something on you tube with raytracer, it was at its early stage though. ps3 graphics= something serious.

JoelR5833d ago

you can get iRT for your PS3... and it's blazing fast... I picked out probably the worst picture from iRT but it looked best as the little icon photo. LOL

http://www.alphaworks.ibm.c...

Mc Fadge5833d ago

My poor ears ><;

The car looked nice, but that's with 3 PS3s doing the work, hardly practical to use at the moment :/

JoelR5833d ago (Edited 5833d ago )

lol... actually if you read the paper on it...
it renders at 75x the speed of most dual cores in that configuration but it will work with as little as one spe on a cell chip.

with 1 spe (seriously gimped) it still equals a 3.2ghz Intel p4 in raytracing speed.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5833d ago
LenHart5833d ago

that the car model was rendered by the CELL only without the help of the graphics card by iRT

KZ2 incorporates iRT too and this is why it is the best looking game out there

JoelR5833d ago

now the real question is ... how is iRT implemented. It can't be the full blown use all SPEs as that would stop execution of other code... and how does iRT work in conjunction with the RSX?

ProblemSolver5832d ago (Edited 5832d ago )

I strongly assume that KZ2 does not use iRT, since KZ2 doesn't use any
solid raytracing effects. Further, KZ2's rendering engine is based on the
'Deferred Rendering' technique which, up to my knowledge, doesn't
incorporate any raytracing techniques;
[PDF]: http://www.guerrilla-games....

Never mind! I'm also hyped on KZ2. 8)

jaja14345833d ago

So basically this is a poor mans programming tool...

Basically you write your code as you would in either C or C++ and the compiler complies it into something the Cell can work with. But that in itself is a problem because when you use a compiler to generate code into another language, like writing something in C and then using a compiler to give you it's equivalent in Mips, always gives you unoptimized code.

So it works, but not as good as it could.

PoSTedUP5833d ago

you should go on Jeopardy.

Tetsuryu5833d ago (Edited 5833d ago )

Because you explained what happens when you convert industry standard code (like C/++) using a generator (for the cell) which results in inefficient yet workable code.

Or you used programming terminology. ;)

PoSTedUP: Think of it this way; Say you find an interesting webpage with some information you want to know, but you can't understand it because it's in a foreign language. So you use an online translator to translate it. As soon as it's done translating, you read it. However, the grammar is a bit funky and barely understandable, but it works for you. However, if you already know the foreign language, the information on the webpage makes clear sense, which is much faster for you to comprehend, thus saving time and it making more efficient for you. Which means more time for other things. ;)

Ok maybe not the best analogy. ^_^;

JoelR5833d ago

Not quite...
the compiler helps but the other links lead to methods of better programming for the Cell.

hint branching and other commands help immensely
the compiler highly rewards those who use proper multiprocessor code with better speed and efficiency and helps those that do not at least create better code for the cell.

If you know anything about compilers that is TRUE for any type of programming --- compilers optomize for the cpu they are written for. If you write good code better results if you write bad code compilers can cover a multitude of sins.

Tetsuryu5833d ago (Edited 5833d ago )

Personally, I've been interested in the Cell (it's still a mystery to me, I don't have a lot of spare time to do some personal homework for it), though I'm debating whether I should major in Programming, Art, Design for the Gaming Industry. I can do all three at the moment, though I'm not a great programmer in terms of logical problem solving.

From experience with Cell, is it more of a matter of learning new syntax (as in learning a new language for example) and the such or is it more of a matter of logic and juggling 3 balls at the same time (as opposed to one figuratively speaking)?

JoelR5833d ago (Edited 5833d ago )

Tetsuryu

.... more of learning to juggle balls...
Syntactically it is different and knowing the syntax definitely helps you program on the Cell processor but the bigger change is the thought process you need in your head.

Thoughts you constantly need while programming multiprocessors:
How can I parallelize this?
What is the proper order of instructions for critical path?
Can this loop be unspooled?
Is this branch likely (if yes then use the hbr)?

Tetsuryu5833d ago

Holy cow, I don't think my brain can handle that much multitasking lol. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

JoelR5833d ago

Tet - don't give up

It's a case of training the brain (gah DS reference!) to better understand things like that. That takes practice - NO ONE AND I MEAN NO ONE is perfect overnight doing parallel programming.

(it may not be the right field for you but everyone benefits even if they don't apply it to learn something new (and you would be amazed at what applications come up for new knowledge))

Building a car is much like parallel processing... you can have 30 manufactors building parts for a car in parallel and the assembly line can put four wheels on at the same time... and in the end you have a car.

Tetsuryu5833d ago (Edited 5833d ago )

In my mind, it appears to being an endless labyrinth with dead ends at every turn just thinking about it lol.

I see there's a lot of branching involved (especially with that analogy you just described) while utilizing the most out of available resources, if I'm not mistaken; very interesting.

I'm not sure if the Open Zone uses a different batch of bubbles. If it doesn't, I do appreciate the use of your last bubble for that last comment, I wish I could give you more bubbles.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 5833d ago
Mc Fadge5833d ago

How to run these files (.rpm) on the PS3?

JoelR5833d ago (Edited 5833d ago )

The Big hint here isn't that the Compiler solves all the issues but that the other links show "GOOD PROGRAMMING PRACTICE" methods for the cell processor. The Compiler helps but the good practices recommended in the other links make your code sing.

Imagine branchs with a latency of 1 cycle - you can do that if you use the hbr (hintbranch instruction)
Usage of subwords for math - C and C++ does this inefficiently but it's one of Cells strengths
Scheduling of subtask - use it to reduce lengths of critical subpaths (BETTER PERFORMANCE!)
Proper extraction of SIMD instructions - better parallelization.

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60°

MSI releases new RTX 4060 Ti bundle that fans of Monster Hunter will love

MSI celebrates the 20th anniversary of Monster Hunter with this unique bundle that features a matching RTX 4060 Ti and game controller.

260°

Why Xbox believes it must cut costs and close studios

Companies, particularly public companies like Microsoft, need to grow.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
gold_drake12h ago

i mean its pretty simple, they spent close to 30 billion in acquiring activision, they thought they'd make it bk no problem, and that didnt happen.

its just shit that because of MS's miscalculation alot of people lost their jobs.

Jingsing8h ago

This is exactly what many people said would happen including the CMA and FTC. Lies lies and more lies and they allowed a $69 billion buy out to happen.

gold_drake8h ago

oh yeh it was 70 billion. that was my bad haha even worse.

thesoftware7308h ago(Edited 8h ago)

gold,

You can't be serious, right?

Do you think that MS thought they would make 80bill in a year & Half? They haven't even released titles under MS yet, lol.

But in fact, that A/B revenue is already paying off, look at the last earnings call. That $80 billion is long-term money, my guy, no sane person/company would think they would make that back in any short-term situation, it's a long-term investment.

Let's play silly then. If MS's reason for laying off staff and closing studios was due(which it really was not) to the A/B deal, tell me what Sony's reason was for past studio closures, the recent 900-person layoffs, closing Sony London, shutting down Dreams, and closing Japan Studio? Zipper? Psygnosis? cuts at all their internal studios.

Keep in mind, you are claiming MS's reason is because of the A/B deal; please explain Sony's reason.

Hofstaderman8h ago

You actually still defending them? Sheesh.....

gold_drake8h ago

this is not a sony vs MS debate. dont make it something it isnt.

and of course not, but im pretty sure they thought they'd make more money after the deal. they didnt, and closed off some studios.

its pretty insane to think there is any other reason for the closure of studios in this case.

romulus238h ago(Edited 8h ago)

(It really was) due to the Activision Blizzard deal and the loss of physical sales due to gamepass. You keep bringing up Sony in all your posts about this, stop deflecting and trying to change the topic, this is about MS and what they are doing.

BehindTheRows7h ago

Has nothing to do with Sony. Stay on topic.

notachance7h ago

once in a while you see someone too invested in their make-believe console war that everything happened has to be connected to said war…

a bit of banter between fans is normal, this crusade you’re doing now isn’t.

Chevalier7h ago

Wow idiotic. You bring up very old closures not that there haven't been recent ones from Playstations, but, seriously stop deflecting. This has NOTHING to do with Playstation.

Does Playstation got $3 trillion behind them and daddies wallet? No they don't so stop making a fool of yourself.

Xbox has never been profitable really and they just keep losing money so between their worst hardware sales, terrible 3rd party sales and now terrible 1st party sales.

Gamepass numbers that are no longer being announced shows their numbers after 3 years of missed targets has flatlined. Plus their recent gains up to 34 million were ONLY because they folded Gold members in too. Absolutely take your idiotic rhetoric out of here. Keep on topic without deflecting.

S2Killinit7h ago

Ayayayay with these xbox/MS excuses.

Reaper22_2h ago

How dare you mention Sony! Everyone here knows when Sony closes a studio and lay off workers it was the right thing to do. Even when they bought Gaikai and fired almost everyone it was the right thing to do.

Gamers can be such hypocrites sometimes.

andy851h ago

Is it? That's revenue not profit. Completely different.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 1h ago
thesoftware7305h ago(Edited 5h ago)

Drake,

"this is not a sony vs MS debate. dont make it something it isnt."

You are correct that it's not an MS Vs Sony Topic, but when exaggeration and imagination mix from a one-sided social group, similar examples are needed to ground radical thoughts; in this instance, the example was that shutting down 3,4,5, even 6 studios during a restructure/ buyout/acquisition is not some anomaly(it can suck) that has to be dissected or spell doom and gloom.

"But I'm pretty sure they thought they'd make more money after the deal. They didn't, and they closed off some studios."

But they did make more money, a lot, actually; the last earnings call showed a huge growth in profit, almost all due to A/B revenue.

"its pretty insane to think there is any other reason for the closure of studios in this case."

The fact that they did make money, kinda throws this out the window, and besides, you don't wake up and say, hey let's close a studio, you look at the output, you look at the dev as a whole, the long term and short term, you weigh it against all other studios and goals, you keep key members, ect..then you close if they are the weakest links...which by MS analysis they were.

Again, I will make a small Sony comparison, just so some of you can understand and see past the bias; Insomniac, ND, and Bungie have made some of the best games ever created, yet Sony saw fit to cut jobs in every of these studios, even tho Insomniac & ND are the biggest producers of PS games, leagues ahead better than Tango and Arkane, yet, they saw cuts, mind you, while being the TOP produces of PS first party. They were told to cut costs, and more jobs may be on the line, and Bungie is being threatened by a hostile Sony takeover. Put that in perspective, as I know that layoffs and dev closures are different, but if the best of the best is getting cut off, it is less than surprising, that lesser studios are closing.

@Cheva,
My response fits well with your comments as well. You even went on to prove that the dev closures are not just due to A/B acquisition. Then you point out Sony has less money than MS, inferring that MS should keep devs open that they see as lesser earners, while Sony having less money makes it okay to close them. lol...it doesn't work that way.

gold_drake5h ago

im not reading all of that. u have ur opinion, i have mine.

thats rly it.

but this aint sony vs ms.

ApocalypseShadow5h ago

You're trying to compare a 100 billion company to a company that has 3 TRILLION worth. SIE has to live or die on their own. And in turn, PlayStation has helped the main company again and again. Sony has to balance out what is working and not working in the company.

While Xbox has Daddy Warbucks footing the bill to keep the platform afloat. They have been bleeding money from Nvidia hardware in the OG Xbox, the RROD fiasco, the attempted 2013 DRM nonsense and the lies about being the most powerful console in the world and the losses of paying out millions to prop up a service hoping it catches on with enough subscribers to justify its existence.

They're not comparable if Xbox isn't allowed to live or die by its actions. It's subsidized. Revenue isn't profit. And if they were profiting on their own, they wouldn't be closing developers. If they were profiting, they wouldn't need Daddy Warbucks spending 80 to 100 billion buying up 3rd party publishers to sustain a loss leading platform.

They stopped announcing game sales, stopped announcing hardware sales, stopped announcing game pass subscribers, they are putting games on their competitors platforms but you're telling us that they are doing great even after killing jobs and closing developers at Xbox.

Stop drinking the Kool aid. You're drunk.

WelkinCole44m ago

I am pretty sure MS knew this would happen and this was part of their plan. I mean if anyone with half a brain can see this happening I am pretty sure a multi billion company like MS knew this would happen

The whole strategy in buying Beth and Acti/Blizzard is for

1. Buy established games they can have under xbox because they have done a horrible job in building their portfolio internally for the past 15 years

2. Following from 1, try and boost xbox competitivenss against a dominat PS which MS after 3 tries still can't crack

3. Follolwing from 2, try and weaken Playstation dominance by taking out these massive multiplats from the PS

4. Following from 3, try and profit off from the PS domiance with selected games they will still have on the PS to make money like COD

5. Obviously get the IP's by buying them instead of creating them which again as I mentioned in number 1 they have been woeful in doing

None of these had anyting to do with keeping all the devs they accuried. MS has always been very shitty to Devs under them. Look at what happned to Bungie for example.

I believe MS in court truely mean it when they said they had to do something because PS was just too dominant. This was their last roll of the dice.

And from the looks of things. It has not panned out as MS had hoped. PS5 is still as dominant as ever and xbox is still behind. Worse still their MP's they got is not irreplaceable as they thought. Starfield? lol!. There have not been any major shift in momentum in this console war in their favor so now its time to start cutting their loses and it starts with the most expensive cost for any company. People.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 44m ago
anast8h ago

They are going to use AI for a large portion of the game development process. Upper management need bonuses and the shareholders need more money. So, people will lose their jobs.

Skuletor8h ago

Maybe they were already using AI to make business decisions, which would explain why they closed Hi-Fi Rush's studio, then said they need more games like Hi-Fi Rush not long after that announcement.

Crows907h ago(Edited 7h ago)

They shouldn't have bought any studios. Some is okay...but they went on a shopping spree...stupid

Einhander19727h ago

The better question is why did Microsoft buy publishers for a service they were subsidizing they knew couldn't support.

And why are so many websites trying to make people feel sorry for Microsoft instead of truly criticizing the fact they are closing studios and killing jobs that would have been fine if Microsoft themselves hadn't gotten involved.

Quit feeling sorry for Microsoft and start feeling sorry for the industry and the all the gamers who are actually losing out.

THIS IS MICROSOFTS FAULT.

RNTody7h ago

The first thing that happens after any major acquisition or merger is a consolidation of the whole new portfolio, which includes cutting any excess, bloat or portfolios that don't fit the larger MO of the big boy. So far, it's been par for the course with Microsoft and that's why gamers have been so against this acquisition. Tango Gameworks is the beginning. You think Microsoft wants to pay to keep small timers like Ninja Theory in business?

There is absolutely zero evidence to suggest that Microsoft will improve any of these studios, but plenty to suggest that they will get rid of what they don't need and hold onto the IP. The real agenda of the acquisition was always to acquire The Elder Scrolls, Diablo, Fallout, Call of Duty, Candy Crush etc. that will create millions in passive revenue stream for Microsoft regardless of where the games release. Microsoft simply wants their cut.

Because of Games Pass Microsoft has no interest in investing in new IP which is risky and requires creative talent they can neither nurture nor manage. Game Pass has also not grown in the way Microsoft expected it to, even post acquisitions. Therefore the logical thing to do, without serious money makers to release, is to cut as much cost as possible.

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110°

7 Deserving Games That Never Got Backward Compatibility

Backward compatibility works for many games on newer consoles, but titles such as The Simpsons: Hit and Run have been left out.