User`s guide

Parallel Pools
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Automatically Start and Stop a Parallel Pool
By default, a parallel pool starts automatically when needed by certain parallel language
features. The following statements and functions can cause a pool to start:
• parfor
• spmd
• distributed
• Composite
• parfeval
• parfevalOnAll
• gcp
• mapreduce
• mapreducer
Your parallel preferences specify which cluster the pool runs on, and the preferred
number of workers in the pool. To access your preferences, on the Home tab, in the
Environment section, click Parallel > Parallel Preferences.
Alternative Ways to Start and Stop Pools
In your parallel preferences, you can turn off the option for the pool to open or close
automatically. If you choose not to have the pool open automatically, you can control the
pool with the following techniques.
Parallel Pool Desktop Menu
You can use the pool indicator in the lower-left corner of the desktop to manually start a
parallel pool. Click the indicator icon, and select Start parallel pool. The pool size and
cluster are specified by your parallel preferences and default cluster. Your default cluster
is indicated by a check mark on the Parallel > Default Cluster menu.
The menu options are different when a pool is running; in this case you can select Shut
down parallel pool.
Programming Interface
Start a Parallel Pool
You can start and stop a parallel pool programmatically, using default settings or
specifying alternatives.