February 2015 Summaries

React, a declarative framework, simplifies UI updates by managing component state, but challenges can arise when state properties have interdependencies that aren't straightforward. The article illustrates this with an example of a component managing a list of items, where selecting an item toggles its checked state and affects the visibility of a "Selected" tab. An issue occurs when all items are unchecked, causing the UI to show no items and deactivate the tab, which can be resolved by modifying the function responsible for toggling the checked state. However, this introduces additional responsibilities to the function, complicating future maintenance and potentially leading to bugs, especially with new features or buttons, such as one that unchecks all items. The author highlights the limitations of React in describing state dependencies declaratively, which leads to imperative code that can be difficult to maintain. A suggested approach involves managing dependent state at the top of the render function to prevent such issues, though it contradicts typical React practices, as it bypasses lifecycle methods like shouldComponentUpdate, thus minimizing compatibility issues.

MAYA Heat Transfer Technologies has signed a Channel Partner agreement with Rescale to become a sales representative for Rescale’s cloud simulation platform, specifically for Siemens PLM Software’s NX™ Nastran®. This partnership allows MAYA, a leading North American reseller of Siemens PLM's CAE software, to extend its offerings by enabling clients to access Siemens PLM software through Rescale's on-demand, cloud-based service. The collaboration provides clients with increased solver capacity and the ability to conduct large-scale design of experiments (DOEs) or multidisciplinary optimizations without long-term purchase commitments. This aligns with Siemens PLM's recent announcement of making NX™ Nastran® available on Rescale's platform, facilitating secure and efficient cloud-based simulations.

Engineers and scientists often face challenges when monitoring and visualizing high-performance computing (HPC) simulations, as many commercial applications offer limited and unattractive plotting options. Gnuplot, a versatile command-line graphic utility, addresses these limitations by enabling users to automate the creation of high-quality plots through customizable scripts. It supports interactive and non-interactive uses, allowing for the visualization of mathematical functions and data across various platforms. The text provides an example of using Gnuplot with a 3D Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation, demonstrating how users can generate and update plots in real-time as the simulation progresses on the Rescale platform. Gnuplot's extensive formatting capabilities make it particularly useful for publishing results and integrating plots into documents. By employing reusable command files, engineers can efficiently manage their data visualization tasks, saving time and ensuring consistency across different projects.

Rescale has announced a significant reduction in pricing for its high performance computing (HPC) cloud hardware, averaging a 40% decrease, making it more accessible to budget-restricted projects. This reduction is accompanied by the introduction of new, higher performing hardware featuring Intel’s Haswell processors, branded as the Rescale “Onyx” configuration, which promises over a 20% increase in simulation performance for certain applications. Additionally, Rescale has implemented a new naming schema for its HPC and GPU hardware, allowing for greater flexibility and granularity in hardware selection to cater to specific simulation needs. As the provider with the largest global footprint for computer-aided engineering simulations, Rescale continues to support engineers and scientists in developing innovative designs and products. More information about the updated pricing and hardware options is available on their website.