Open source supercomputer compiler?

I have used the pathscale compiler suite for the last 5 years. It is optimized for amd hardware (opteron in particular) so is ideal for cheap compute clusters. It is considerably faster than gcc or g77 with heavy duty compute codes.

Two years ago it was sold to cluster maker SiCortex but now this company has folded and the software is in limbo. This is causing a lot of aggravation for license holders (a big group). The Linux Fund of Oregon tried to buy it but was unsuccessful and the rumour is that it has been acquired by a "major corporation" but may still be open sourced.

If anything is an argument for open source this is. There are many institutions which have depended on pathscale and now they are left with the unpalatable option of switching to the less than optimal intel compiler or else sucking up a slow gcc compiler.

Since the compiler was originally purchased by a cluster maker to encourage hardware purchase it makes sense to me to open source it and sell support. Certainly as is this product is rapidly losing value as customers get frustrated by the long term uncertainty.

Open source rules in this case in my opinion.

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