  The analysis of graphs has become increasingly important to a wide range of
applications. Graph analysis presents a number of unique challenges in the
areas of (1) software complexity, (2) data complexity, (3) security, (4)
mathematical complexity, (5) theoretical analysis, (6) serial performance, and
(7) parallel performance. Implementing graph algorithms using matrix-based
approaches provides a number of promising solutions to these challenges. The
GraphBLAS standard (istc-bigdata.org/GraphBlas) is being developed to bring the
potential of matrix based graph algorithms to the broadest possible audience.
The GraphBLAS mathematically defines a core set of matrix-based graph
operations that can be used to implement a wide class of graph algorithms in a
wide range of programming environments. This paper provides an introduction to
the GraphBLAS and describes how the GraphBLAS can be used to address many of
the challenges associated with analysis of graphs.
