get_kernel: support specifying the backend#268
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So far, `get_kernel` has always auto-detected the backend from the Torch build. However, this causes issues in fixed-device settings where we may want to run some ops on the CPU and others on the GPU. This change allows specifying `backend` as an argument to `get_kernel` and friends. Currently, only the `cpu` backend and the backend that Torch was built for are supported (since we cannot determine the version, etc. of a backend that Torch was not built for). However, we decided to make it a string-based argument as opposed to e.g. a `cpu` bool, in the case Torch might do multi-backend builds in the future.
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MekkCyber
previously approved these changes
Feb 11, 2026
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MekkCyber
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Looks good! just a nit
MekkCyber
approved these changes
Feb 11, 2026
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So far,
get_kernelhas always auto-detected the backend from the Torch build. However, this causes issues in fixed-device settings where we may want to run some ops on the CPU and others on the GPU. This change allows specifyingbackendas an argument toget_kerneland friends.Currently, only the
cpubackend and the backend that Torch was built for are supported (since we cannot determine the version, etc. of a backend that Torch was not built for). However, we decided to make it a string-based argument as opposed to e.g. acpubool, in the case Torch might do multi-backend builds in the future.