Developing Open Source Software for High End Computing

Abstract

In the attached report, we focus exclusively on software development for high end computing (sometimes referred to as high-performance computing or supercomputing) because of its critical importance to U. S. national security and science and engineering research. Our 1999 analysis revealed that while there were a number of high end applications ripe for exploration, the field was in need of substantial innovations in application-development software, algorithms, programming methods, component technologies, and architecture.

The report makes three recommendations. First, the Federal government should aggressively encourage the development of open source software for high end computing. Adopting this recommendation will require a technical assessment of the software needs for high end computing as well as an innovative management plan and funding model for supporting this development. Second, a "level playing field" must be created within the government procurement process to facilitate open source development. Third, an analysis of open source licensing agreements is needed, with an ultimate goal of agreeing upon a single common licensing agreement for open source software applications.