PML Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Last-Modified: Fri Mar 26 09:19:19 PST 1999 



Welcome to the FAQ for PML!

INTRODUCTION
PML is a small part of a much bigger effort called PACT. PACT is
the portable environment and toolkit that we use to create portable 
applications, and to create functionality not readily available. 
PACT is our environment of choice for handling unique data,
portable computing environments, and the distributed computing 
arenas; and for converting data for the visualization application 
or algorithm of choice. We have created PACT to shield ourselves 
from new software, and hardware so we can concentrate on the 
applications at hand. PACT is beginning to emphasize design that 
takes advantage of massively parallel environments.

We would like to hear of your experiences with PACT. And, we would 
be especially pleased to try to add your mathematical, graphical, 
or other functionality to future distributions of PACT. 


NOTICE

    Absolute portability is our GOAL! 

Most of the time we install PACT 
without problems, the other times take varying amounts of effort to 
track down. Usually the problems are simple, such as missing 
headers. If your experience with PACT is not absolute portability, 
we would like to hear from you so we can try to make it so. Please 
direct all portability issues to:

     sabrown@llnl.gov
 or  minner1@llnl.gov


Thanks to all who have contributed to this FAQ.  Corrections and 
contributions always welcome. Please e-mail comments, additions, 
and corrections to:

                  rodrigues2@llnl.gov 

and use SUBJECT: PML FAQ

Items needing more input from you and others are marked with a ???.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1) What is PML?
2) What is PACT?
3) Where can I get the complete PML source and documentation?
4) ???

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1) What is PML?

   PML is the math library for PACT. It contains routines for:

     a) Linear solvers
     b) FFT
     c) Sorting
     d) Geometry (2D and 3D)
     e) Abstract mathematics data structures and support
     f) Interpolation

2) What is PACT?

   PACT stands for Portable Application Code Toolkit. It is a
   self-contained set of tools which support developing and
   using portable programs particularly scientific and engineering
   applications.  See the pact.FAQ

3) Where can I get the complete PML source and documentation?

Since PML is an intimate part of PACT, this will get the complete PACT 
including PML. You may selectively install PML.

Please use ftp to connect to: 

          ftp-lc.llnl.gov

log in as anonymous, using your email address for the password,
cd west/pub/pact - to change directory,
binary      - to set the transfer mode,
get the three pact files (yy_mm_dd indicates the date):
          pact-unix.README
          pactyy_mm_dd-doc.tar.gz
          pactyy_mm_dd-src

The pact-unix.README file describes the PACT installation process. 

4) ???

