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Row-Major Algorithms for Row-Major Array Layout

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This example shows how to use row-major algorithms to generate efficient code. You can enable the Use algorithms optimized for row-major array layout configuration parameter to enable efficient row-major algorithms that are optimized for row-major array layout. The code that you generate by using row-major algorithms performs with better speed and efficient memory usage when operating on data with row-major array layout.

In this example, you operate on row-major data by first using the default column-major algorithms, and then using the row-major algorithms. This comparison helps in identifying the appropriate algorithm settings to achieve different requirements.

Generate Code by Using the Default Column-Major Algorithms for Row-Major Array Layout

Open the example model ex_rowmajor_algorithm.

model = 'ex_rowmajor_algorithm';
open_system(model);

The model contains a Sum of Elements block and the input of the block is an array. By default, Simulink® configures a model with column-major algorithms and column-major array layout. In this example, you configure the array layout of this model as row-major. To specify the array layout, open the Embedded Coder app, and then open the Configuration Parameters dialog box. On the Code Generation > Interface pane, set the configuration parameter Array layout to Row-Major option. Alternatively, in the MATLAB® Command Window, enter:

set_param(model,'ArrayLayout','Row-major');

Generate code from the model by using the slbuild function or by pressing Ctrl+B.

% Generate code and capture the code generation information to Value
Value=evalc('slbuild(''ex_rowmajor_algorithm'')');

Inspect the generated ex_rowmajor_algorithm_step step function in the ex_rowmajor_algorithm.c.

file = fullfile('ex_rowmajor_algorithm_ert_rtw','ex_rowmajor_algorithm.c');
coder.example.extractLines(file,'/* Model step function */','/* Model initialize function',1,1);

/* Model step function */
void ex_rowmajor_algorithm_step(void)
{
  int32_T i;
  int32_T i_0;
  int32_T tmp;

  /* Sum: '<Root>/Sum of Elements Dim1' incorporates:
   *  Constant: '<Root>/Constant1'
   */
  ex_rowmajor_algorithm_Y.Out2 = -0.0F;
  for (i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
    for (i_0 = 0; i_0 < 3; i_0++) {
      tmp = (i_0 << 1) + i;
      ex_rowmajor_algorithm_Y.Out2 =
        (((ex_rowmajor_algorithm_ConstP.Constant1_Value[tmp] +
           ex_rowmajor_algorithm_Y.Out2) +
          ex_rowmajor_algorithm_ConstP.Constant1_Value[tmp + 6]) +
         ex_rowmajor_algorithm_ConstP.Constant1_Value[tmp + 12]) +
        ex_rowmajor_algorithm_ConstP.Constant1_Value[tmp + 18];
    }
  }

  /* End of Sum: '<Root>/Sum of Elements Dim1' */
}

When Array layout is set to Row-major and the Use algorithms optimized for row-major array layout configuration parameter is set to off, the code generator uses column-major algorithms. The algorithms traverse the data in column-major order though the data is in row-major order. This process requires some extra operations in the generated code, which makes the code less efficient. When the Use algorithms optimized for row-major array layout parameter is set to off, the code generator does not include other vectorization optimizations such as single-instance, multiple-data (SIMD) optimizations.

Generate Code by Using the Row-Major Algorithms for Row-Major Array Layout

To enable the row-major algorithms, on the Math & Data Types pane, select the configuration parameter Use algorithms optimized for row-major array layout check box. This parameter enables the algorithms that are optimized for row-major array layout. Alternatively, in the MATLAB Command Window, enter:

set_param(model,'UseRowMajorAlgorithm','on');

After enabling the row-major algorithms, generate code.

Value=evalc('slbuild(''ex_rowmajor_algorithm'')');

Inspect the generated ex_rowmajor_algorithm_step step function in the ex_rowmajor_algorithm.c.

file = fullfile('ex_rowmajor_algorithm_ert_rtw','ex_rowmajor_algorithm.c');
coder.example.extractLines(file,'/* Model step function */','/* Model initialize function',1,1);

/* Model step function */
void ex_rowmajor_algorithm_step(void)
{
  int32_T i;

  /* Sum: '<Root>/Sum of Elements Dim1' incorporates:
   *  Constant: '<Root>/Constant1'
   */
  ex_rowmajor_algorithm_Y.Out2 = -0.0F;
  for (i = 0; i < 24; i++) {
    ex_rowmajor_algorithm_Y.Out2 +=
      ex_rowmajor_algorithm_ConstP.Constant1_Value[i];
  }

  /* End of Sum: '<Root>/Sum of Elements Dim1' */
}

When the Array layout is set to Row-major and the Use algorithms optimized for row-major array layout configuration parameter is set to on, the code generator generates efficient code. The code generator uses row-major algorithms that traverse the data in row-major order, which reduces the number of operations in the generated code. However, you might notice a minor numeric difference between the outputs of column-major and row-major algorithms due to the operation order.

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