kthompso@prandtl.nas.nasa.gov (Kevin W. Thompson) (05/21/89)
Mathematics Library for Sun Workstations--Marketing Survey
My company (MAGUS) produces a mathematics library for Fortran programmers.
We are considering expanding into the Sun workstation market. However, we
would like to have some idea of how much interest there is in such a
product for the Sun market before we put a lot of resources into the
project, so I am conducting an informal market survey over the net. If
this subject interests you, please read on and e-mail your responses to
me.
The product is called the Numerical Analyst library. It contains
approximately 100 subroutines to solve differential equations, compute
eigenvalues and eigenvectors of matrices, evaluate special functions,
perform interpolation and curve fitting, solve systems of linear
equations, perform singular value decomposition, compute integrals,
calculate statistics and random numbers, perform fast Fourier transforms,
perform a variety of convenient vector and matrix operations, find roots
of polynomials and nonlinear functions, and minimize nonlinear functions
(nonlinear optimization).
Other noteworthy features of the product are customizable error handling
and a well written manual.
The response of a library subroutine to an error condition can be
completely controlled by the user. For example, the default response to a
fatal error is to abort execution, but the user may override this response
and elect to continue execution, perhaps to invoke a different approach to
solving the problem. Error messages are sent to the user's monitor by
default, but the user may elect to send them to a disk file or suppress
them entirely.
It is something of a cliche to speak of "well written manuals," but the
Numerical Analyst manual is thorough, and pains have been taken to make it
readable and useful. The mathematical background for each problem area is
described. Each numerical method in the library is described briefly,
while its requirements and limitations are covered in detail. Hints are
provided on how to best solve realistic problems and avoid numerical
difficulties. Every library subroutine is illustrated with a complete
program example. All error messages are in plain English and are
extensively documented. The condition leading to each message is
described, and suggestions are provided to the user about how to correct
the problem. The manual also has a detailed index.
Now for the marketing survey.
1) Would you or your company be interested in acquiring this
product?
2) On how many Sun workstations might this product be used,
if acquired?
3) Does a cost of $1000 per workstation seem reasonable for
this product? If not, what would be a reasonable price?
4) How important is access to the library from languages other
than Fortran? Which languages?
5) What kinds of problems would you wish to solve with such
a package? Describe both the specific math problem and the
general subject area. (E.g. find the zeros of a nonlinear
dispersion relation to determine waveguide characteristics.)
6) For what other computers would you like to have this
product available?
7) What other issues do you consider important, especially in
regard to competing products?
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions. Your
comments are greatly appreciated.
Please respond by e-mail to thompson@galileo.arc.nasa.gov.
Kevin W. Thompson
thompson@galileo.arc.nasa.gov