Can Extragalactic Data Be Standardized? Part 2 by Ian Armas Foster.
From the post:
Last week, we profiled an effort headed by the Taiwanese Extragalactic Astronomical Data Center (TWEA-DC) to standardize astrophysical computer science.
Specifically, the object laid out by the TWEA-DC team was to create a language specifically designed for far-reaching astronomy—a Domain Specified Language. This would create a standard environment from which software could be developed.
For the researchers at the TWEA-DC, one of the bigger issues lies in the software currently being developed for big data management. Sebastien Foucaud and Nicolas Kamennoff co-authored the paper alongside Yasuhiro Hashimoto and Meng-Feng Tsai, who are based in Taiwan, laying out the TWEA-DC. They argue that since parallel processing is a relatively recent phenomenon, many programmers have not been versed in how to properly optimize their software. Specifically, they go into how the developers are brought up in a world where computing power steadily increases.
Indeed, preparing a new generation of computer scientists and astronomers is a main focus of the data center that opened in 2010. “One of the major goals of the TWEA-DC,” the researchers say, “is to prepare the next generation of astronomers, who will have to keep up pace with the changing face of modern Astronomy.”
Standard environments for software are useful, so long as they are recognized as also being ephemeral.
What was the standard environment for software development in the 1960’s wasn’t the same as the 1980’s nor the 1980’s the same as today.
Along with temporary “standard environments,” we should also construct entrances into and be thinking about exits from those environments.