The Software Architecture for Performing Scientific Computation with the JLAPACK Libraries in ScalaLab

Although LAPACK is a powerful library its utilization is difficult. JLAPACK, a Java translation obtained automatically from the Fortran LAPACK sources, retains exactly the same difficult to use interface of LAPACK routines. The MTJ library implements an object oriented Java interface to JLAPACK that hides many complicated details. ScalaLab exploits the flexibility of the Scala language to present an even more friendly and convenient interface to the powerful but complicated JLAPACK library. The article describes the interfacing of the low-level JLAPACK routines within the ScalaLab environment. This is performed rather easily by exploiting well suited features of the Scala language. Also, the paper demonstrates the convenience of using JLAPACK routines for linear algebra operations from within ScalaLab

ScalaLab and GroovyLab: Comparing Scala and Groovy for Scientific Computing

ScalaLab and GroovyLab are both MATLAB-like environments for the Java Virtual Machine. ScalaLab is based on the Scala programming language and GroovyLab is based on the Groovy programming language. They present similar user interfaces and functionality to the user. They also share the same set of Java scientific libraries and of native code libraries. From the programmer's point of view though, they have significant differences. This paper compares some aspects of the two environments and highlights some of the strengths and weaknesses of Scala versus Groovy for scientific computing. The discussion also examines some aspects of the dilemma of using dynamic typing versus static typing for scientific programming. The performance of the Java platform is continuously improved at a fast pace. Today Java can effectively support demanding high-performance computing and scales well on multicore platforms. Thus, both systems can challenge the performance of the traditional C/C++/Fortran scientific code with an easier to use and more productive programming environment