The Portland Group (PGI) Announces Plans To Develop Parallelizing Compilers For Intel's IA-64 Architecture.

WILSONVILLE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 1998--The Portland Group, Inc. (PGI), a leading independent vendor of software tools for parallel computing, today announced it is developing a family of parallelizing Fortran, C, C++ and HPF (High Performance Fortran) compilers optimized for Intel's IA-64(TM) architecture.

The first implementation of PGI's high performance compilers will be available concurrent with the availability of Merced(tm) processor-based systems, Intel's first microprocessor based on IA-64 architecture.

PGI's compiler products for the IA-64 architecture will be available on the Microsoft Windows NT, Solaris, and Linux operating systems.

"Optimized, integrated parallel compiler technology is key to the development of optimized software for the IA-64 architecture," said Vincent Schuster, president and CEO of The Portland Group. "PGI is perfectly situated for IA-64 architecture from a technology standpoint. Our compilers were originally developed for 64-bit pipelined architectures, and we've produced two generations of robust, software pipelining compiler products currently in use at production and commercial sites around the world. Combined with our most recently developed parallelization technology, we expect to be one of the key ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) developing a complete integrated line of optimizing and parallelizing compilers for the Merced processor."

PGI will work with Intel to ensure that the new compilers are available to ISVs for early development of those applications that are synchronized for release with shipments of Merced processor-based systems. The integrated PGI compilers for the IA-64 architecture will provide a robust development environment to generate parallel workstation and enterprise applications optimized for future IA-64 processors.

"We are excited that PGI is developing software development tools for our upcoming IA-64 architecture-based family of products," said Ron Curry, Director of Marketing of Intel's Santa Clara Processor Division. "Working with PGI demonstrates our ongoing commitment to work with industry technology suppliers to provide an optimum platform for our Merced processor."

PGI's compilers for IA-64 architecture will offer auto-parallelization for C, C++ and Fortran, native OpenMP support, HPF support, a PGI-developed code generator for Merced processor-based systems, and a uniform development environment across UNIX and Windows NT. Compilers for IA-64 architecture from PGI will be available directly from PGI and through domestic and international channels.

"The addition of IA-64 architecture compilers to our product line will provide extensive and unprecedented power and scalability to scientists and engineers looking to take full advantage of Intel-based systems," said Douglas Miles, PGI's director of marketing. "The robustness and reliability of integrated compilers is of key importance to ISVs, system vendors, and end-users migrating from RISC/UNIX to Windows NT or working in mixed UNIX/Windows NT environments."

PGI is a leading supplier of high performance compilers and software tools for high-end systems from vendors such as SGI/Cray, Hewlett Packard, Intel, IBM, Sun, and Fujitsu. Parallel systems are widely used throughout the scientific and technical computing communities to address the most demanding applications while providing overall project cost savings. More information is available on PGI's web site at http://www.pgroup.com. -0- PGI, PGF90, and PGC++ are trademarks and PGHPF, PGF77, PGCC, PGPROF, and PGDBG are registered trademarks of The Portland Group, Inc. Other brands and names are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: The Portland Group

Denney Cole, 503/682-2806

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http://www.pgroup.com

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The Bernhardt Agency

Mike Bernhardt, 503/293-8480

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