# distribute_point

Instructs the compiler to prefer loop distribution at the location indicated.

## Syntax

#pragma distribute_point

## Arguments

None

## Description

The distribute_point pragma is used to suggest to the compiler to split large loops into smaller ones; this is particularly useful in cases where optimizations like vectorization cannot take place due to excessive register usage.

The following rules apply to this pragma:

- When the pragma is placed inside a loop, the compiler distributes the loop at that point. All loop-carried dependencies are ignored.

- When inside the loop, pragmas cannot be placed within an `if` statement.

- When the pragma is placed outside the loop, the compiler distributes the loop based on an internal heuristic. The compiler determines where to distribute the loops and observes data dependency. If the pragmas are placed inside the loop, the compiler supports multiple instances of the pragma.

Example: Using the distribute_point pragma outside the loop
    #define NUM 1024
    void loop_distribution_pragma1(
           double a[NUM], double b[NUM], double c[NUM],
           double x[NUM], double y[NUM], double z[NUM] ) {
      int i;

      // Before distribution or splitting the loop
      #pragma distribute_point
      for (i=0; i< NUM; i++) {
        a[i] = a[i] + i;
        b[i] = b[i] + i;
        c[i] = c[i] + i;
        x[i] = x[i] + i;
        y[i] = y[i] + i;
        z[i] = z[i] + i;
      }
    }

Example: Using the distribute_point pragma inside the loop
    #define NUM 1024
    void loop_distribution_pragma2(
           double a[NUM], double b[NUM], double c[NUM],
           double x[NUM], double y[NUM], double z[NUM] ) {
      int i;

      // After distribution or splitting the loop.
      for (i=0; i< NUM; i++) {
        a[i] = a[i] +i;
        b[i] = b[i] +i;
        c[i] = c[i] +i;
        #pragma distribute_point
        x[i] = x[i] +i;
        y[i] = y[i] +i;
        z[i] = z[i] +i;
      }
    }

Example: Using the distribute_point pragma inside and outside the loop
    void dist1(int a[], int b[], int c[], int d[]) {
      #pragma distribute_point
        // Compiler will automatically decide where to
        // distribute. Data dependency is observed.
      for (int i=1; i<1000; i++) {
        b[i] = a[i] + 1;
        c[i] = a[i] + b[i];
        d[i] = c[i] + 1;
      }
    }

    void dist2(int a[], int b[], int c[], int d[]) {
      for (int i=1; i<1000; i++) {
        b[i] = a[i] + 1;

        #pragma distribute_point
          // Distribution will start here,
          // ignoring all loop-carried dependency.
          c[i] = a[i] + b[i];
          d[i] = c[i] + 1;
      }
    }

Parent topic: Intel-Specific Pragma Reference