The Blas Library

Description

The BLAS (Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms) are routines that provide standard building blocks for performing basic vector and matrix operations. The Level 1 BLAS perform scalar, vector and vector-vector operations, the Level 2 BLAS perform matrix-vector operations, and the Level 3 BLAS perform matrix-matrix operations. Because the BLAS are efficient, portable, and widely available, they are commonly used in the development of high quality linear algebra software, LAPACK for example.

The publications given in Section 3 define the specifications for the BLAS, and a Fortran77 reference implementation of the BLAS is located in the blas directory of Netlib, together with testing and timing software. For information on efficient versions of the BLAS, see Section 5.

For more information see the Basic Linear Algebra Subprogram homepage or BLAS FAQ.

General Use

The libraries are typically linked into your application. For example, if the libraries are stored on /usr/local/lib, use -L/usr/local/lib -lf77blas in your program linker step to link to these libraries. Detailed lists of functions can be found on the links above.

Cluster Specific Use

Phoenix

• The blas libraries are included in the OS distribution.
• Use -lblas to link your executable with blas libraries.
• Blas is compiled with gcc.

-- JeffMcDonald - 19 Oct 2006