Unifying the CUDA C++ Core Libraries: Towards a More Delightful CUDA C++

[jrhemstad]

We're excited to announce that the CUDA C++ Core Libraries (CCCL) - Thrust, CUB, and libcudacxx - are now unified under the nvidia/cccl repository. This consolidation aims to offer a more cohesive experience, simplify development, and set the stage for future innovations. Dive into the details below to understand what this means for you and the broader community.

TL;DR:

• What’s happening?: Thrust, CUB, and libcudacxx, the "CUDA C++ Core Libraries" (CCCL), have moved into a unified nvidia/cccl repository.
• Why?: To streamline both development and user experience towards a more delightful CUDA C++.
• What's New?: Take a look at the refreshed README, contributor guide, new CI system, and Dev Containers.
• What to Expect?: For CUDA Toolkit users, there are no immediate changes. GitHub users should switch to the new repository and adapt to the new CMake infrastructure.
• Need Help?: Change can be a bit tricky, but help is available through examples, GitHub issues, and the discussion board.

Rationale

Bringing CCCL under one roof is the first critical step in building a more coherent and modern CUDA C++ platform. This consolidation will not only simplify development, but also ensure a smoother, more convenient user experience.

The big picture? A vision of a singular, modern CUDA C++ library that not only integrates but also enhances the features of its predecessors. Much like how the Standard C++ Library is the backbone to Standard C++, the ambition is for CCCL to be the go-to suite of general purpose, speed-of-light tools that free CUDA C++ developers to solve the problems that truly matter.

Changes

Active development has shifted and is now fully underway at the new repository. Soon, the current repositories will be archived, and all issues will be moved to the new repository. GitHub users will need to fetch from the new repository and make necessary updates to their build and CMake setups. An example project is available, illustrating how to fetch and utilize the new repository via CMake.

For those using CCCL from the CUDA Toolkit, no immediate changes are required. However, it might be beneficial to consider transitioning to the latest version of CCCL on GitHub. CCCL is now officially supported on both the latest and prior major series of the CUDA Toolkit. Therefore, moving to the latest version from GitHub grants access to the latest developments without any worries of incompatibility with older CTK versions. See the Platform Support documentation for more information.

Exciting New Features

The merger comes with improvements to infrastructure and documentation to streamline the experience for users, maintainers, and contributors.

• New CI System: A brand new CI system ushers in a new era of transparency, convenience, and reliability.
• Platform Support: A formal support policy for older CUDA versions and host compilers.
• Contributor Guide: A new contributor guide makes it easier than ever to get involved.
• Dev Containers: New Dev Containers offer a ready-to-use development environment for CCCL.
• GitHub Project Board: A new GitHub project board provides visibility into the ongoing work and future plans for CCCL.
• Godbolt Integration: The new repo is now available as a library on Godbolt, making it even easier to experiment with CCCL.

Let's Make CUDA C++ Better Together

CUDA C++ is evolving, and CCCL is at the forefront of making it more efficient and user-friendly.

Help from the community will be essential to make this vision a reality, and it is easier than ever to get involved.

Want to join the effort? Dive into open issues, try the new Dev Containers, check out the new project board, or open an issue. If CCCL is used in your project, consider adding to the list of users.

This merger is a testament to the power of collaboration that we want to foster. Thanks to the RAPIDS DevOps team (@ajschmidt8, @jjacobelli) for making our CI system happen, and @trxcllnt for creating the new Dev Container infrastructure. Kudos to @jarmak-nv for setting up the project board and processes, and to the CCCL team (@allisonvacanti, @ericniebler, @griwes, @miscco, @elstehle, @senior-zero, @wmaxey) for all their tireless work.

Join the discussion about this announcement in the new repository. Your feedback and insights are invaluable as we continue to shape the future of CUDA C++.