Java Vector API Example

1. Introduction

This blog post explores the Java Vector API, a feature introduced in Java as an incubator module to enhance the performance of computation-heavy operations. The Vector API provides a way to express vector computations that compile at runtime to optimal vector instructions on supported CPU architectures, thus improving the performance of these operations.

Definition

The Vector API in Java allows for expressing vector computations, which the JVM can compile into optimal vector hardware instructions. This results in significant performance improvements for computations, especially in fields such as scientific computing, machine learning, and data processing.

2. Program Steps

1. Set up a project with the Vector API module.

2. Write a program that performs a vector computation.

3. Display the result of the computation.

3. Code Program

import jdk.incubator.vector.IntVector;
import jdk.incubator.vector.VectorSpecies;

public class VectorAPIExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Species of vectors to operate on int values
        VectorSpecies<Integer> species = IntVector.SPECIES_256;

        // Creating two IntVectors
        int[] array1 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8};
        int[] array2 = {8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1};
        IntVector vector1 = IntVector.fromArray(species, array1, 0);
        IntVector vector2 = IntVector.fromArray(species, array2, 0);

        // Performing element-wise addition
        IntVector resultVector = vector1.add(vector2);

        // Converting the result vector to an array and displaying the results
        int[] resultArray = resultVector.toArray(new int[species.length()]);
        System.out.println("Result of Vector Addition: ");
        for (int i : resultArray) {
            System.out.print(i + " ");
        }
    }
}

Output:

Result of Vector Addition:
9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

Explanation:

1. The program uses IntVector from the Java Vector API for integer vector computations.

2. VectorSpecies<Integer> is used to define a species of vector for integers, with IntVector.SPECIES_256 indicating a vector width that can hold 256 bits.

3. Two IntVector objects are created from integer arrays, using the defined species for their sizes.

4. These vectors are added using the add method, which performs element-wise addition.

5. The result of the vector addition is then converted back to an array and printed.

6. The output demonstrates the result of adding two integer vectors using the Vector API, showcasing its ability to perform vectorized operations efficiently.