Sparse BLAS Workshop Spring 2024

The standardization of an interface for dense linear algebra operations in the BLAS standard has enabled interoperability between different linear algebra libraries, therewith boosting the success of scientific computing, in particular in scientific HPC. Despite numerous efforts in the past, we do not have a similar standard in place for sparse linear algebra operations. This has numerous reasons. One is the fact that sparse linear algebra objects allow for many different storage formats, and algorithms for sparse linear algebra problems often being of iterative nature and feature many options. This makes the definition of an all-circumventing interface extremely challenging. Another reason is that oppose the standardization effort for dense linear algebra, we are late in the technology readiness cycle, and many production-ready software libraries using sparse linear algebra routines have implemented and committed to their own sparse BLAS interface. At the same time, there exists a demand for standardization that would improve interoperability, and sustainability, and allow for easier integration of building blocks. Goal of this workshop is to bring together sparse linear algebra enthusiasts from academia and industry and discuss the design of a Sparse BLAS standard. Given the higher degree of complexity in a sparse BLAS standard, we explicitly do not limit the discussion to a classical FORTRAN-style interface but allow for modern object-oriented design.

Topics to be covered include but are not limited to:

• Design of data structures for sparse linear algebra objects (sparse vectors, matrices, tensors ...)

• Design of basic sparse linear algebra routines (SpMV, SpMM, SpGeMM ...) and their interface requirements

• Design of algorithms common for sparse linear algebra problems

• Design propositions for a sparse BLAS standard

• Review of the dense BLAS standard and lessons learnt

• Review of the GraphBLAS standard and lessons learnt

Participants are encouraged to prepare a pitch talk related to these topics and present at the workshop. Please communicate with the organizers to be included in the program.

Hartwig Anzt