# PETSc in a nutshell

See {any}`handson` to immediately jump in and run PETSc code.

PETSc/TAO is a tool for writing, analyzing, and optimizing large-scale numerical simulations.

```{image} /images/manual/library_structure.svg
:align: center
:alt: PETSc Structure Diagram
```

## Algebraic objects

- {any}`Vectors <ch_vectors>` - containers for simulation solutions, right-hand sides of linear systems, etc (`Vec`).

- {any}`Matrices <ch_matrices>` - contain Jacobians and operators that define linear systems (`Mat`).

  - {any}`Multiple sparse and dense matrix storage formats<doc_matrix>`,
  - {any}`Limited memory variable metric representations<sec_matlmvm>`,
  - {any}`block<sec_block_matrices>` and {any}`nested<sec_matnest>` representations,
  - {any}`Easy, efficient matrix assembly and interface <sec_matcreate>`.

- Indices - used to access portions of vectors and matrix, for example {1,2,4} or 1:10 (`IS`).

## Solvers

- {any}`Linear solvers<ch_ksp>` based on preconditioners (`PC`) and Krylov subspace methods (`KSP`).

- {any}`Nonlinear solvers <ch_snes>` (`SNES`).

- {any}`Time integrators <ch_ts>`, (ODE/PDE), explicit, implicit, IMEX, (`TS`)

  - Local and global error estimators
  - {any}`section_sa`.

- {any}`Optimization <ch_tao>` with equality and inequality constraints, first and second order (Newton) methods (`Tao`).

- Eigenvalue/Eigenvectors and related algorithms in the package [SLEPc](https://slepc.upv.es).

## Model/Discretization Interfaces to Solvers

- Simple structured grids, `DMDA`.
- Staggered grids, {any}`ch_stag`, `DMSTAG`.
- Unstructured grids, {any}`ch_unstructured`, `DMPLEX`.
- Networks/graphs, for example the power grid, river networks, the nervous system, {any}`ch_network`, `DMNETWORK`.
- Quad or octree grids, `DMFOREST`.
- Particles, `DMSWARM`.

:::{seealso}
For full feature list see:

- {ref}`Vector table <doc_vector>`
- {ref}`Matrix table <doc_matrix>`
- {ref}`Linear solvers table <doc_linsolve>`
- {ref}`Nonlinear solvers table <doc_nonlinsolve>`
- {ref}`ODE integrators table <integrator_table>`
- {ref}`Optimizers table <doc_taosolve>`
- {ref}`Model/discretization interfaces to solvers table <dm_table>`
:::

## Utilities for Simulations/Solvers

Runtime

- control of the simulation via {any}`runtime options <sec_options>`
- visualization of the solvers and simulation via {any}`viewers <sec_viewers>`,
- {any}`monitoring <sec_kspmonitor>` of solution progress,
- {any}`profiling <ch_profiling>` of the performance,
- robust {any}`error handling <sec_errors>`.