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Siraris
07-20-2006, 01:20 PM
Gamasutra is reporting (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=10158) that IBM has updated the Cell SDK to version 1.1.

IBM Cell BE SDK Version 1.1 contains a number of significant enhancements over Versions 1.0 and 1.0.1, and it completely replaces those previous SDKs. These enhancements include the Linux kernel (2.6.16) and library support for Cell BE-based blade servers contain two Cell Broadband Engine Processors for a total of 16 SPEs; added C++ support to the XL C compiler for PPU applications; added support for GDB server running in both PPEs and SPEs; and an improved installation that uses a completely revamped process and RPMs.

In addition, the new version's GNU GCC compiler for PPU and SPU programs has been upgraded to Version 4.0.2. Other changes with version 1.1 include an upgrade to the Binutils to version 2.16.1, additions and updates to the libraries and samples include a new sample that ray traces the quaternion Julia Set, and added support for Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA) that improves the performance of memory accesses between SPEs.

Sounds like things are progressing well for Cell with IBM releasing a boat load of tools and libraries for developers. I'd love to test a Cell system out, anyone have a spare laying around?
KNOTE
07-20-2006, 04:42 PM
Have you spoken to anyone actually working on the Cell? Just wondering where these boatloads of tools and libraries actually are.
Silversmith
07-20-2006, 05:21 PM
Glad to hear that my $600 blue-ray player .... I mean PS3 will play movies better. Thanks IBM! What everyone doesn't know is that the real winner of the console wars is you! Your chips are embedded into every single next-gen game console. Way to keep that Pimp hand strong! Apple was that whiny bitch that was hold you down!
Amalor
07-20-2006, 08:29 PM
well my overclocked 486sx 33(oc 4.5ghz) can still kick its ass!! lol ;)
Siraris
07-20-2006, 11:09 PM
Have you spoken to anyone actually working on the Cell? Just wondering where these boatloads of tools and libraries actually are.

Did you even read the article?
KidCactus
07-21-2006, 03:56 AM
More info on this can be found here (http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/cellsw?open&S_TACT=105AGX16&S_CMP=DWPA).

Edit: Which was already linked under the article. :o
Okamura_Takashi
07-21-2006, 04:03 AM
Have you spoken to anyone actually working on the Cell? Just wondering where these boatloads of tools and libraries actually are.

Here: http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/cellsw

and here: http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/cellsw/download?open&S_TACT=105AGX16&S_CMP=DWPA

But, most of these tools are part of IBMs CellBE platform that is not related to what the PS3 uses.

Edit: Kid Cactus beat me to the punch by just a few seconds...
net7runner
07-21-2006, 06:59 AM
Kind of strange to think that the PPU didn't have C++ support until now...

*shudder*C*shudder*

We don' need no stinkin' classes...
shnastybiznastic
07-21-2006, 10:11 AM
Kind of strange to think that the PPU didn't have C++ support until now...
Agreed. Of course, C++ is probably mostly used for application development, not game development. Probably was more important to members of the Cell Cadre to get the head game development language suppourted first.
ea vengeful spirit
07-21-2006, 10:54 AM
Kind of strange to think that the PPU didn't have C++ support until now...

*shudder*C*shudder*

We don' need no stinkin' classes...

maybe they were trying to push their own language down the developers' throats.
shnastybiznastic
07-21-2006, 10:45 PM
maybe they were trying to push their own language down the developers' throats.
Unless IBM is headed by Dennis Ritche, this is unlikely. ;)