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## 7 CUDA Streams Usage

This applies to the `nvptx` plugin only.

The library provides elements that perform asynchronous movement of data and asynchronous operation of computing constructs. This asynchronous functionality is implemented by making use of CUDA streams1.

The primary means by that the asychronous functionality is accessed is through the use of those OpenACC directives which make use of the `async` and `wait` clauses. When the `async` clause is first used with a directive, it creates a CUDA stream. If an `async-argument` is used with the `async` clause, then the stream is associated with the specified `async-argument`.

Following the creation of an association between a CUDA stream and the `async-argument` of an `async` clause, both the `wait` clause and the `wait` directive can be used. When either the clause or directive is used after stream creation, it creates a rendezvous point whereby execution waits until all operations associated with the `async-argument`, that is, stream, have completed.

Normally, the management of the streams that are created as a result of using the `async` clause, is done without any intervention by the caller. This implies the association between the `async-argument` and the CUDA stream will be maintained for the lifetime of the program. However, this association can be changed through the use of the library function `acc_set_cuda_stream`. When the function `acc_set_cuda_stream` is called, the CUDA stream that was originally associated with the `async` clause will be destroyed. Caution should be taken when changing the association as subsequent references to the `async-argument` refer to a different CUDA stream.

#### Footnotes

### (1)

See "Stream Management" in "CUDA Driver API", TRM-06703-001, Version 5.5, for additional information

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