On 28 June 2011 StreamComputing will give a 1-day OpenCL course in Utrecht. As it is quite new, the price is reduced. If you want to learn CUDA or any other GPGPU language, this OpenCL course is also a good option for you. The most important thing about GPGPU is the concepts. In other words the “why” they chose to make GPGPU languages like this. In my course you will get it after a one-day training. Most of the day consists of lectures with short lab sessions. The training makes use of a unique block-method, so you learn the technique top-down and can almost fill in the spaces yourself. We prefer at least 2 years of thorough programming-experience in Java, C++ or Objective C, because of the level of the subjects. We discuss the following with the big why-question as leading:

OpenCL debunked: getting to understand how OpenCL is engineered.
Algorithms: which you can speed up with GPGPU/OpenCL and what not.
Architectures & Optimizations: why does one OpenCL program work better on one architecture and not on another.
Software-engineering: wrapper-languages, code re-use and integration in existing software.
Debugging: not the screenshots, but giving you insight in how the memory-models work.

The lab sessions are very minimal; you get (fully documented) homework which you can do the subsequent week (with assistance via mail). If you prefer to have extensive lab sessions, please ask about the available options. After the session and the homework you’ll be able to decide on your own what kind of software you can speed up by using OpenCL and what not. You will also be able to integrate OpenCL into your own software and engineer OpenCL-kernels. Note that the advances you make depend heavily on your seniority in programming. If all attendees are Dutch, we give it in Dutch. Future sessions of this OpenCL course will be in other cities, so if you prefer to receive training more local or at your company, please ask for the possibilities.