Training on Algorithmic Differentiation

May 12 – May 13, 2026, Karlsruhe, Germany

A training course organized by the National HPC Center South-West (NHR@SW)

We are excited to announce the first training on algorithmic differentiation. It will take place at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology from 12.05.2026 at 9:00 to 13.05.2026 at 17:00. The 2-day training provides an introduction to algorithmic differentiation and hands-on experience.

Registration

The training is free. We will provide some refreshments during the short break. Lunch will be paid for by the attendees themselves. For registration, please send an informal email to max.sagebaum@rptu.de. We kindly ask you to register as soon as possible but not later than 17.04.2026. Please include

  • your name, mail contact, and,
  • if you would like to join the dinner on 12.05.2026 (we will reserve a table, and everybody pays for him-/herself.

Requirements

Each participant needs to bring his own laptop. The exercises on day two can only be solved with a modern C++17 compiler. Please ensure that you can compile C++ programs on your laptop. During the training, there will be no time to resolve issues. Contact us beforehand if you have problems installing a C++ compiler.

Organizer

Max Sagebaum (RPTU, NHR @ SW)
Nicolas R. Gauger (RPTU, NHR @ SW)
Jan Kieseler (KIT)
Mathias Krause (KIT)

Agenda

Current agenda, subject to small changes.

Tuesday, May 12
09:00 – 09:15 Introduction
09:15 – 10:15 Talk: Introduction to Algorithmic Differentiation
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 12:30 Exercise: Manual code differentiation

  • AD forward mode
  • AD reverse mode
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 14:30 Talk: Operator overloading AD tools

  • Overview and basic working principles
14:30 – 15:30 Exercise: Implementing a forward mode operator overloading AD tool
15:30 – 15:45 Break
14:30 – 15:30 Exercise: Implementing a reverse mode operator overloading AD tool
19:00 Joint dinner
Wednesday, May 13
09:00 – 9:15 Repetition day 1 – General questions
9:15 – 10:15 Talk: CoDiPack – Introduction and overview
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 12:30 Exercise: Applying CoDiPack

  • AD forward mode
  • AD reverse mode
  • Jacobian computation
  • Vector mode
  • Multiple Tapes/Recordings
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 14:30 Talk: MeDiPack – AD for MPI programs
14:30 – 15:30 Exercise: Applying MeDiPack

  • AD forward mode
  • AD reverse mode
15:30 – 15:45 Break
14:30 – 15:30 Questions & Answers

Organization

For general questions concerning the organization as well as regarding contents of the agenda, please email to max.sagebaum@rptu.de.

Travel and Accomodation

The training will take place at

Dürer-Saal Gastdozentenhaus Google Maps
Wissenschaftliches Begegnungszentrum und Tagungsstätte Gastdozentenhaus Karlsruhe
Building 01.52
Engesserstrasse 3
76131 Karlsruhe

The following hotels are near to the location of the training. Other hotels are also available:

  • Hotel am Markt: Kaiserstraße 76, 76133 Karlsruhe
  • Hotel Markgräfler Hof: Rudolfstraße 31, 76131 Karlsruhe
  • Hotel Hasen: Gerwigstraße 47, 76131 Karlsruhe
  • Hotel Am Gottesauer Schloss: Gottesauer Str. 32 – 34, 76131 Karlsruhe
  • Hotel Hoepfner-Burghof: Haid-und-Neu-Straße 18, 76131 Karlsruhe