CI Pathways: Intro to Parallel Computing

This session will cover the basics of parallel computing, starting by exploring its definition and importance, describing how it differs from serial computing, and its significant real-world applications and benefits. Then it will provide an overview of high-performance computing (HPC) architectures, including clusters and supercomputers, and introduce the concepts of multi-core processors and GPUs. Attendees will also learn about popular parallel programming languages and libraries like MPI, OpenMP, and CUDA. Finally, the session will include a hands-on introduction to using NCSA's Delta Cluster, where participants will practice essential Linux commands and apply their newfound knowledge in a practical setting.