Webinaire ASNUM

Vincent Reverdy

Laboratoire d’Annecy de Physique des Particules

The Evolution and Standardization of C++ for the Future of Numerical Astrophysics

Voir le Replay :  https://astrotube.obspm.fr/w/8p7178BkGcBDnMmpwBxrMW

Over the last 15 years, the C++ programming language has evolved significantly, providing more constructs and features to users. But while a part of the numerical astrophysics community is transitioning to the language, it is worth analyzing its evolution and where it is going. In the first part of the presentation, I will discuss current and upcoming features that can be leveraged in the context of high-performance numerical astrophysics. I will present real-case examples of what is already possible, and what can we expect for the near future. The second part of the presentation will be dedicated to the long term future. The adoption of a new language for a community like ours is a big step forward that is likely to have consequences in the decades to come given the lifetime of our codes. Some design choices that are made now, may stay forever. In this context, I will discuss the general evolution of the language in the light of what I have learned from 10 years of participation in the C++ standards committee. Finally, I will conclude by trying to give a bigger picture on the interplay between programming language evolution and computational physics from both the standpoint of computer science and physics, and what it means for the codes we are currently developing.