Software Project Quarterly Report Oct-Dec 2000 ============================================== Our key milestones and deliverables during the period in the core software development program supported by the Project came in the context of major framework (Athena) releases during the period, discussed below. The deliverables encompassed major advances in control framework, event model and database software with contributions from all supported institutes. WBS numbers are reported in the milestone summary that follows, and in the narrative text for tasks not represented in the milestone summary. The period began with a major release of the ATLAS offline framework, Athena, scheduled for Sep 29, 2000. This was the Alpha release, the first version delivering broad functionality to users and a major U.S. milestone, encompassing major deliverables in both control framework and databases. Deliverables in the release were met during October and early November, with the exception of formal merging Unified Software Development Process activities into main line development (little impact), with the milestone declared complete by ATLAS in November. Major components of the release were an event data model prototype implementation (StoreGate), event generator integration, fast simulation integration, incorporation of Athena into ATLAS releases, physics analysis output to ROOT, and a resource monitoring (auditing) system. Reprioritization by ATLAS and the heavy review load resulted in deferment of some deliverables to the next release in December; specifically, the Objectivity and ROOT event I/O prototypes, and the deployment of the interactive scripting prototype. The period ended with the next major (Beta) release of Athena and associated deliverables, again encompassing major control framework and database deliverables from the U.S. The milestone date was December 29; the release became available with the Atlas release following the holidays. The deliverables deferred from the Alpha release mentioned above were completed. Also included were the user deployment of the StoreGate event data model and the auditor service, and a strategy document for the development of a data definition language and dictionary, identified as an essential framework component by the ATLAS Architecture Review Committee. The detector description prototype deliverable (not under U.S. control) scheduled for this release is late. Following ATLAS reprioritization the pile-up support prototype due in this release was deferred to April 2001. A draft version of the Athena Users Guide was released. An important achievement during the period was the long-delayed ramp-up of database activity at ANL, with two FTEs added to the effort (one highly experienced external hire and two half-time computer scientists transferred internally), together with a recent U Chicago hire working 50% on databases. With these acquisitions the ANL and LBNL core software programs are at or near critical mass, and future focus shifts to completing the delayed ramp at BNL in event model and data management. The period saw much progress in software support (WBS 2.2.4) and management (WBS 2.4.1). Software activities at BNL including project management, librarian services and development activities were consolidated in a new Physics Applications Software Group in the Physics Department. A US ATLAS software web server was completed with a range of code browsing services, database services, and the HyperNews discussion tool. A software project planning system 'XProject' was developed and adopted both by U.S. and International ATLAS as the basis for unified project planning. Core software efforts were complemented by much (primarily off-project) development activity in subsystem software (WBS 2.2.2), including substantial work in evaluating and deploying new core developments. Examples include development and testing of StoreGate in the LAr reconstruction; development of a unified framework for LAr and Tile calorimeter reconstruction; strong U.S. participation in Geant4 physics performance studies; test beam analysis in several subsystems; Athena integration work in all subsystems; strong participation in detector description development particularly in the muon subsystem; development of a new muon reconstruction package; and prototyping I/O tools in LAr simulation. The U.S. acquired a new major subsystem software role in International ATLAS with the appointment of Srini Rajagopalan (BNL) as LAr Reconstruction Coordinator. A new round of solicitations for interest in training courses was sent out (WBS 2.2.5) in order to plan courses for the next 6-12 months. Some of these courses will utilize the web-based Syncomat lecture tools (WBS 2.2.3). Substantial progress was made on ATLAS software agreements during the period. A draft software agreement between U.S. ATLAS and International ATLAS covering the control framework was completed, circulated throughout ATLAS, and followed up with a solicitation for other expressions of interest in the area. One institute (Annecy) expressed interest in the specific area of the data dictionary, and agreement was reached on a revised software agreement incorporating data dictionary as a subtask performed by Annecy and overseen by U.S. ATLAS. This draft is in the final stages of preparation. A first solicitation for expressions of interest in subsystem software was also received, for the LAr calorimeter. U.S. ATLAS is engaged in assembling a unified response to the solicitation, following our approach for core software, and is on target to meet the Feb 2, 2001 submission deadline. Summary of Major Milestones and Deliverables: ============================================= Sep 29, 2000: Athena Alpha Release (WBS 2.2.1.2) - U.S. control framework and event model (WBS 2.2.1.4) deliverables met by mid November (most met in October), except merging of USDP (WBS 2.2.1.1) - impact of USDP merge delay: negligible - U.S. database deliverables (WBS 2.2.1.3) met or deferred to December - impact of deferments: contraction of already tight schedule for database evaluations and technology selection in 2001 Dec 29, 2000: Athena Beta Release (WBS 2.2.1.2) - deployed in ATLAS software release 1.3.0 - U.S. control framework deliverables met - U.S. database deliverables met (WBS 2.2.1.3) Forthcoming Milestones and Deliverables: ======================================== The next major milestone will be the Athena Gamma release in May. Deliverables with substantial U.S. involvement are indicated. May 14, 2001: Athena gamma release (WBS 2.2.1.2) - Objectivity event I/O fully deployed (WBS 2.2.1.3) - Data dictionary prototype - Pile-up support prototype - Physics analysis ROOT binding - Geant4 integration prototype (limited U.S. involvement) In addition, the following are desirable: - Particle properties service deployed - Statistics and monitoring tools prototype - Bookkeeping prototype Summer, 2001: Selection of database technology (WBS 2.2.1.2) A 'floating' milestone in International ATLAS, without a firm date, and which may be delayed. Involves the selection of the event storage technology (Objectivity, ROOT, relational DB...). ATLAS is currently in a poor position to make such a decision, with little evaluation of the alternatives done. The U.S. will be (must be) a strong contributor to the prototyping, evaluating, and decision making involved, and this will be a focus area in the database and data management effort in the coming months.