High Performance Computing - a gentle introduction for non-specialists

High-performance computing (HPC) is a field of computer science focused on the use of highly efficient computer systems to perform complex calculations in a short time. In the article, we present the basic principles of HPC and explain how systems based on parallel computational architectures allow for the performance of multiple concurrent calculations. HPC technologies are crucial in various areas such as scientific research, industry, engineering, and data analysis. Applications include (but are not limited to) physics simulations, genome analyses, climate change forecasting or artificial intelligence research. The article also discusses the main building blocks of the HPC environment, such as supercomputers or software allowing parallel calculations and analyses of large data volumes. The main HPC challenges, including cost, scalability, and the need for specialist technical knowledge, are also considered. This article aims to present the reader with an overview of what HPC is, how it works, and what its current role is.