A Component Approach to Collaborative Scientific Software Development: Tools and Techniques Utilized by the Quantum Chemistry Science Application Partnership

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2008 · Scientific Programming

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1155/2008/486876· OSTI ID:1197986

Kenny, Joseph P. ^[1]; Janssen, Curtis L. ^[1]; Gordon, Mark S. ^[2]; Sosonkina, Masha ^[3]; Windus, Theresa L. ^[4]

---

1. Scalable Computing Research and Design, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, USA
2. Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA, Scalable Computing Laboratory, Ames Laboratory/DOE, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
3. Scalable Computing Laboratory, Ames Laboratory/DOE, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
4. Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA

Cutting-edge scientific computing software is complex, increasingly involving the coupling of multiple packages to combine advanced algorithms or simulations at multiple physical scales. Component-based software engineering (CBSE) has been advanced as a technique for managing this complexity, and complex component applications have been created in the quantum chemistry domain, as well as several other simulation areas, using the component model advocated by the Common Component Architecture (CCA) Forum. While programming models do indeed enable sound software engineering practices, the selection of programming model is just one building block in a comprehensive approach to large-scale collaborative development which must also address interface and data standardization, and language and package interoperability. We provide an overview of the development approach utilized within the Quantum Chemistry Science Application Partnership, identifying design challenges, describing the techniques which we have adopted to address these challenges and highlighting the advantages which the CCA approach offers for collaborative development.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 1197986
• Journal Information: Scientific Programming, Journal Name: Scientific Programming Vol. 16 Journal Issue: 4; ISSN 1058-9244
• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
• Country of Publication: Egypt
• Language: English