Scientific computing practices at Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque
Sandia Laboratories has major responsibilities in the areas of research and development for nuclear weapons, nuclear material safeguards and security, various energy programs, and nuclear reactor safety. Scientific computing is an indispensible part of the work done in support of these programs. To meet this need, Sandia has developed a large central computing facility. Sandia has taken the position that the computer is a resource to be used by the scientist or engineer much like any other laboratory instrument. Consequently, the individual organizations are largely responsible for the development and use of computer programs and data files needed to support their work. The scientific computers are operated on an open-shop basis in support of this philosophy. The Computing Directorate limits its support of the line organizations to the provision of general purpose libraries, such as graphics and mathematical software, and the maintenance of a small group of applied mathematicians and numerical analysts. This group assists the line organizations with mathematical modeling and numerical analysis tasks that are out of the ordinary or beyond the current capabilities of the line organization's staff. This paper discusses the evolution of the Sandia philosophy on scientific computing and presents some of the pros and cons of this position.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-04-0789
- OSTI ID:
- 6380465
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-79-0003C; CONF-790402-6
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Computational methods in nuclear engineering, Williamsburg, VA, USA, 23 Apr 1979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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