General Position Description: detector sub-system software coordinator

Each detector sub-system must designate or identify a Software sub-system Coordinator who then becomes the main contact person for developing and maintaining the software written to bring the data for that sub-system to a Physics usable form and at a level of accuracy and expectations required for carrying the STAR Physics program involving the use of that particular sub-system. Additional manpower for the development of the Software may be allocated from within the sub-system group or requested by the nominee as external manpower (or service/community task).

As all realizes that there is no Physics without data reduction (via code/software), the Software coordinator is therefore a corner stone of sub-system group. He/she has for main responsibilities:

The development and maintenance of the data acquisition reader for the offline chain, the detector geometry in the Geant framework, the calibration database layout and content, at least one response simulator suitable for the simulation and embedding chains and the tracking specific software if applicable.

To disseminate in the collaboration the information related to the sub-system of interest especially how to use the data in Physics studies: this may be accomplished via documentation (each detector sub-system is provided with additional Web space), development of analysis API, regular updates and presentations at collaboration meetings or when asked by the S&C leader for a progress and/or readiness status report.

To work in close relation to the reconstruction, simulation or calibration leader/coordinator when appropriate and ensure compliance of his/her code with the STAR coding standard.

Participate to the development of innovative projects aimed to enhance the Physics capabilities of the experiment as a whole. This may include participation to the development or support for new tracking methods, better framework, database evolution etc …

In order to bring the sub-system data closer to readiness, he/she

• Has the authority to request highly prioritized productions within the scope of efficiency, alignment or calibration studies, or any study going toward the convergence, consolidation or strengthening of the Physics results.

• May request allocation of resources necessary to accomplish the outlined above tasks.

• Has the ultimate and final authority to organize the work at hand within his/her sub-system realm. For example, partitioning of calibration, simulation and other tasks as necessary and depending on available manpower.

• Is, unless indicated otherwise, the sole point of contact for modification to any code pertaining to the sub-system

• Is expected to communicate to the S&C leader concerns and issues which may be or become obstacles in achieving the above mission

Written by Jerome Lauret, S&C Leader 2003