Scientific Software Section Objectives

The major objectives of the Scientific Software Section are as follows:

  1. Combine existing analysis and visualization codes with beamline data acquisition software and transform these codes into easy-to-use software.
  2. Provide a scientific workbench program that is easy to use and learn and from which users can access all the software that is necessary to manage the entire scientific work flow.
  3. Create new analysis and visualization applications that can be used on all beamlines and that are easily integrated into the standard workbench.
  4. Develop a software framework, perhaps more than one, that provides tested and debugged scientific routines, such as fitting and visualization, which can be used by developers to create applications.
  5. Create an interface to the facilities necessary to provide high-performance computing.
  6. Provide documentation, distribution, maintenance, and support.

Further Guidelines

The Scientific Software Section was formed based on the recommendations of the 2006 XSD Scientific Software Workshop committee as expressed in its report. The above objectives are taken from that report. In addition, the report contains more detailed recommendations for a scientific software initiative, and the Scientific Software Section will attempt to undertake those recommendations as resources allow.