Multicore Programming Primer
MIT's introductory course in parallel programming, built around the PLAYSTATION 3's Cell processor as a hands-on multicore platform. Lectures cover the design philosophies behind multicore architectures and emerging parallel programming techniques, including task decomposition, memory management across cores, and performance tradeoffs specific to the Cell's heterogeneous design. The core deliverable is a group project in which students implement a working parallel application on the PS3 development platform, applying concepts from lecture to real hardware constraints. Originally taught during MIT's Independent Activities Period, a compressed four-week January term, the materials are structured so they can also fit a standard semester schedule. Course materials, available through MIT OpenCourseWare, include lecture slides and project guidelines. The course acknowledges technical support from Sony, IBM, and Toshiba, reflecting its grounding in the actual industry hardware of the era.