Compiler Boosts PowerPC Vector Performance

Designed for the company's MULTI 2000 Integrated Development Environment, a new PowerPC compiler provides automatic vectorization support for Motorola's processors. The compiler is said to boost vector performance for the processors by two to four times without the need for custom AltiVec code. The compiler analyzes the user's C program and identifies code sequences that would benefit from single instruction multiple data (SIMD) processing and generates object code for optimal execution on the AltiVec processor. The compiler is available as part of the integrated development environment, with a Windows-hosted version costing $5,900. A Unix-hosted version is also available at a price of $8,900. GREEN HILLS SOFTWARE INC., Santa Barbara, CA. (805) 965-6044.