Understanding Supercomputing [Paperback]

Scientific American (Author), editors at Scientific American (Author)

Book Description

Series: Science Made Accessible | Publication Date: December 1, 2002

In this book you'll discover what constitutes a 'supercomputer', how the supercomputers of today function, how you can make your own computer into a super machine - through networking - and what tomorrow holds in store for computer usage in terms of hardware, software and everyday applications.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Another volume in the popular Scientific American series, this book delves into the mystery of the supercomputer. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Candace Bushnell is the creator of SEX AND THE CITY and has been described by the EVENING STANDARD as a 'genius'. The OBSERVER compared her to Nancy Mitford and the SUNDAY TELEGRAPH to 'Jane Austen with a Martini.'

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446679577
• ISBN-13: 978-0446679572
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Improvements and what to use them for, June 9, 2004

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W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Understanding Supercomputing (Paperback)

A recent grouping of 15 articles published in Scientific American, from 1995-2001. Though computing is still chugging along at Moore's Law's rate, these articles are still quite germane. Written at a level for a broad, educated audience, they give you a good understanding of the various key points in supercomputing.

Issues include how to cluster computers into a functional unit, that can run these all efficiently (load balance). Or, how to make novel arrangements of computers into a supercomputer. Plus, of course, the steady progress of vector supercomputers, which has been the traditional route since Cray pioneered these in the 1970s.

The articles are not just about how to make better supercomputers. They also discuss why you'd want to do so. The problems you can now tackle with better hardware. Meteorology being the classic (unclassified) application.