Difference between global and device functions

Question

Can anyone describe the differences between __global__ and __device__ ?

When should I use __device__, and when to use __glob

Answer 1

I will explain it with an example:

main()
{
    // Your main function. Executed by CPU
}

__global__ void calledFromCpuForGPU(...)
{
  //This function is called by CPU and suppose to be executed on GPU
}

__device__ void calledFromGPUforGPU(...)
{
  // This function is called by GPU and suppose to be executed on GPU
}

i.e. when we want a host(CPU) function to call a device(GPU) function, then 'global' is used. Read this: "https://code.google.com/p/stanford-cs193g-sp2010/wiki/TutorialGlobalFunctions"

And when we want a device(GPU) function (rather kernel) to call another kernel function we use 'device'. Read this "https://code.google.com/p/stanford-cs193g-sp2010/wiki/TutorialDeviceFunctions"

This should be enough to understand the difference.