The Multicore Future

Language barrierTo take advantage of multicore chips, programmers will need software development systems that let them express themselves in fundamentally new ways.

No backtalkOne key to making parallel algorithms efficient is to minimize the amount of communication between cores.

Retooling algorithmsCharles Leiserson and his team are experts at designing parallel algorithms — including one for a chess-playing program that outperformed IBM’s Deep Blue.

The next operating systemOperating systems for multicore chips will need more information about their own performance — and more resources for addressing whatever problems arise.

Designing the hardwareImproving communication between distributed processors and managing shared data are two of the central challenges in creating tomorrow’s chips.