Treffer: Developing Pedagogical Visualizations of Dense Matrix Operations on Interconnection-network SIMD Computers

Parallel algorithm animations provide graphical illustration of a parallel computer algorithm. Parallel algorithms can be difficult for students to understand, but it is possible with the right tools, to improve student's understanding of such algorithms. This paper presents specific detail for creating pedagogical visualizations of parallel algorithms for dense matrix operations on interconnection-network SIMD computers. Section 1 will discuss the motivation behind building visualizations of parallel algorithms for dense matrix operations on interconnection-network SIMD computers. Section 2 will explain exactly which parallel algorithms this paper addresses. Sections 3 & 4 will discuss many strategies that should be used when creating these visualizations. Section 5 provides discussion about several specific algorithms. All of the strategies and discussions are based upon research I performed for my thesis as well as an informal case study I performed on ten computer science undergraduates.