[Numpy-discussion] parallel loop annotations

[Rahul Garg]

Hi.

I have been working on a Python to C compiler called unPython (updates  
coming tomorow). One of the features I want to work on is parallel  
loop annotations similar to OpenMP for C.  Given the multicore  
revolution, and given the lack of real concurrency in CPython, such a  
feature will be desirable.

One pseudo-C example of this :
#pragma openmp parallel for
for(i=0;i<m;i++) a[i] = b[i]*c[i];

The additional annotation tells the compiler that the loop is  
parallel. The compiler and runtime takes care of spawning threads etc.

I want to add a similar annotation to Python
example usage :

"pragma parallel for"
for i in xrange(m): a[i] = b[i]*c[i]

The interpreter ignores such strings and the code will of course  
execute serially but such strings can potentially be used by compilers.
Any thoughts on this? What form of annotations would you like to see?
Is it pythonic?

thanks,
rahul