The first problem in Phase 2 of the 2010 Intel Threading Challenge contest has closed.  I’m very pleased that we had over 20 entries across the two problem classes from around the world.  Right now the judging staff is preparing to begin compiling and running the enter applications against the chosen data sets.

The biggest change for this contest is the use of the Intel(R) Manycore Testing Lab. The shared platforms allow contestants to have access to hardware and software that is the same as that used by the judges when evaluating the entered codes. Contestants are now able to tune their entries to the exact machine specs rather than having to code “in the dark” and hope that their solution will execute well when the judges test it. For the judges, the hope is that entries will compile and run without any modifications. (In the past, working through differences in systems, libraries used, and compiler versions between the diverse set of development platforms used and the platforms used for scoring took many hours.)

As with previous problems, the clever participants were able to think beyond the scope envisioned by the judges as the problem descriptions were written up. This led to some long discussions clarifications of the original problem intentions within the ISN forums devoted to the problems. We expect it all worked out well enough for all participants. The judges have taken these discussions to heart and, hopefully, have been able to anticipate better the loopholes that might be found in the current and upcoming problems.

Best of luck to those that submitted an entry for this first problem of Phase 2.  If you missed the deadline for the first problem, it is not too late to get started. The second problem has been posted and will end at noon (PDT) on 20 SEP 2010. Each problem awards prizes to the top three point total entries and the grand prize will be given to the contestant with the highest combined point total from their top three scoring entries. Go to the Threading Challenge 2010 page for details on the problems and how to enter.

. Read the rest at Intel.com.