Software routines for X86 machines are building blocks that would optimise functioning of applications and AMD’s routines are said to specifically assist a wide range of image and signal processing. In addition, Framewave, the name for the library made open source, is also said to enable developers to take advantage of multicore processors which are increasingly in use now.

“The objective behind open sourcing Framewave is to help developers use the library in real time,” said Earl Stahl, Vice President-software, AMD, who was recently in Bangalore.

“This (open sourcing library) would accelerate application development and simplify the debugging process. Keeping it proprietary would delay reporting and removing of bugs. We want to make the library as flexible and adaptable as possible for our developers so that it saves their time.”

AMD’s Framewave contains 3200 pieces of software which were previously part of the proprietary AMD Performance Library. According to the company, it would facilitate applications like media player, codecs, image editors, audio and media streaming applications. By making it open source, AMD has also made it open to all X86 platforms, which means developers working on platforms of their rivals like Intel can also make use of Framewave.

“It’s actually impossible for developers to keep altering it to suit different platforms,” explained Mr Stahl. “Restricting it to just one platform will not fulfil the objectives of making Framewave open source, which is why we have made it compatible with all X86 platforms.”

There has been wider agreement among experts about the benefits of AMD’s initiative. They believe developers now have a reliable and well-tuned set of software to facilitate development of media applications. 
However, a few of them say this could perhaps be a plan to enable developers to improve performance of AMD platforms. Despite Framewave being a tool box for all X86 platforms, they reason, it is likely to work better with AMD.

“We have plans to invite contributions from all sections through our acceptable licensing model, including academicians,” Mr Stahl mentioned. “Having made the library open source, we aren’t going to walk away from it but would continue to contribute by constantly enhancing its facilities and functionalities.”