• Extreme Optimization
  • Features
  • Solutions
  • Documentation
  • QuickStart Samples
  • Sample Applications
  • Downloads
  • Technical Support
  • Download trial
  • How to buy
  • Blog
  • Company
  • Resources
• Resources
  • Floating Point in .NET Part 1: Concepts and Formats
  • Mapping IP Addresses to Country Codes
  • M#
• M#

Extreme Optimization Numerical Libraries for .NET

M# - The .NET Language for Technical Computing

Overview

M# ("M sharp") is an implementation of the M programming language based on Microsoft's Dynamic Language Runtime (DLR). Other M implementations include Matlab®, Octave, and SciLab. The Extreme Optimization Numerical Libraries for .NET are used as the underlying computational kernel.

Because M# is a .NET language, it can make direct use of the vast collection of types and libraries available for the .NET framework. In particular, unlike other implementations of the M language, M# can use advanced numerical types like arbitrary precision integers, rational numbers and floating-point numbers.

Performance

M# uses the same technology as Microsoft's two dynamic languages, IronPython and IronRuby, to provide the optimal balance of flexibility and speed. The numerical horesepower is provided by the Extreme Optimization Numerical Libraries for .NET. As a result, M# can compete with the fastest implementations around, and significantly outperforms open source implementations.

The chart below shows the summary results of a benchmark created by David Knowles of the University of Cambridge in the UK. The chart shows summary scores, where lower values indicate better performance.

All M implementations used the exact same M-file. A port to the R statistical package was also included in the comparison.

Resources

Watch our Lang.NET 2009 presentation, which included a live demo of some of the features of M#.