build 988 - multithreading support

[stan]

expert lotto build 988/989 is now available for download.

the new build supports multithreading so you may see about 30% performance increase on multi-core CPUs.
if you have any problems with the new build, you can turn the multithreading off by adding/editing the following line in app.properties file:
[m]multithreading.filter=false[/m]
the file is located in your expert lotto installation folder, usually 'c:program filesexpertlotto'.
coverage filters, stats and wnhistory page do not support multithreading yet.

you can also adjust another parameter in app.properties file:
[m]filter.ticketbatch.size=1000[/m]
which specifies how many tickets are loaded as a batch into memory and processed in each filter thread. the default value is 1000, if you find a better value (by experimenting and timing how long the filter takes to execute), pls let me know and i'll change the default value.

note: two filter threads are used, if there are many user with quad-core CPUs, i can increase the thread count:)

[CSenior]

Stan~ This is awesome! Thank you so much! Sledge and I have Quad cores... I will start testing batch values tonight. Can the thread count be modified in the app.properties file?

[stan]

[quote=CSenior]
Stan~ This is awesome! Thank you so much! Sledge and I have Quad cores... I will start testing batch values tonight.
[/quote]

ok, i'll add more threads in the next build but the speedup won't be that big as there will have to be a lot of synchronization between the threads...

[Bobijohn]

Hi Stan,

What a wonderful surprise. I am really looking forward to making this upgrade over the weekend. For information. my machine is dual core.

That is excellent work on your part - and quick too. Many, many thanks.

Bobijohn

[PadawanLotto]

I didn't notice any speed increase until I ran a small compound filter, very nice.

Thanks Stan

[stan]

[quote=PadawanLotto]
I didn't notice any speed increase until I ran a small compound filter, very nice.

Thanks Stan
[/quote]

you won't notice anything when using simple filters like odd/even, sum etc
however wn history, match winning numbers which spend some time on each ticket should perform faster

[Sledge]

Wonderful Stan,

I've been away a few days but I will get to testing...very nice suprise

[alland]

thanks stan , speed up most welcome.

[Falcon]

Hi Stan,

An issue with the multi threading unfortunately.

Attached pic shows use of the Match File filter. It demonstrates no matching going on. When the filter is cancelled you eventually get a small panel to say 0 tickets in package. 2000 tickets filtered out.

My surmise is that the 2000 tickets are comprised of the 1000 tickets assigned in memory to each thread.

Using an AMD 4200 dual core machine.

Edit.

Noticed that the app.properties file will not hold either the multithreading false command nor the filter.ticketbatch.size=1000 ie the file can be saved with these inclusions but they would appear to be overwritten (written out) when you open the program.

r

falcon

[PadawanLotto]

I have no problem with the multi-thread and Match Tickets filter. (Pentium D 2.8GHz)Where are the 2000 tickets that you are talking about?

[PadawanLotto]

[quote=PadawanLotto]
I have no problem with the multi-thread and Match Tickets filter. (Pentium D 2.8GHz)Where are the 2000 tickets that you are talking about?
[/quote]

For a test of the Multi-Threading I used a full package of 575757 combinations for a 5/39 and filtered out Match Winning Tickets, Match 5 Remove and it blazes through at 2000 combinations at a time. I have used massive compound filters in the past and they never kicked up the CPU cooling fan like filtering with the multi-threading setup does, I love it.

[Falcon]

Hi Padawan,

No such luck here unfortunately. I have attached a pic of the panel after one cancels out the filter.

Can you alter the number of tickets processed per thread as Stan suggests above? That will not hold for me in the app.properties file so I can't adjust anything.

[Falcon]

Bit more.

Using the match package filter works perfectly.

Think I have found the answer.

If you attempt to Match a file with the introduced file being a CSV file it will not work. However if you use a ticket extension file eg .645 then it works. And it flies. Great stuff.

falcon

[Sledge]

After testing a few filters I've noticed about 15-20% speed improvment. Good stuff Stan thank you.

[CSenior]

Did testing on 6/53 running a full package using the WNH Sums filter and it is fast. Not that I am complaining but for some reason it seems to be using all 4 threads on my Quad core. I have attached a before and during screen shot of cores in action during my tests.