The National Transport Code Collaboration Module Library ?
This paper reports on the progress in developing a library of code modules under the auspices of the National Transport Code Collaboration (NTCC). Code modules are high quality, fully documented software packages with a clearly defined interface. The modules provide a variety of functions, such as implementing numerical physics models; performing ancillary functions such as I/O or graphics; or providing tools for dealing with common issues in scientific programming such as portability of Fortran codes. Researchers in the plasma community submit code modules, and a review procedure is followed to insure adherence to programming and documentation standards. The review process is designed to provide added confidence with regard to the use of the modules and to allow users and independent reviews to validate the claims of the modules' authors. All modules include source code; clear instructions for compilation of binaries on a variety of target architectures; and test cases with well-documented input and output. All the NTCC modules and ancillary information, such as current standards and documentation, are available from the NTCC Module Library Website http://w3.pppl.gov/NTCC. The goal of the project is to develop a resource of value to builders of integrated modeling codes and to plasma physics researchers generally. Currently, there are more than 40 modules in the module library.
ntcc module library