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The LCSim Software Index has links to all the primary tools for ILC Detector Simulations. The Portals Section lists sites that cover full suites of software.
Why are you recommending SLIC and org.lcsim as the recommended software tools?
Because I am the author of SLIC, of course. 
--JM
Isn't there one main software framework for ILC detector simulation that I can use?
Unfortunately, there are three (and now four with the fourth detector concept) software frameworks corresponding to each of the major detector designs.
TODO: What kind of common software packages can we establish? Having so many programs, packages, and frameworks is a big problem for interoperability and a major headache for new users. --JM
What does the SLAC LCD group recommend?
At SLAC, we primarily use SLIC for detector simulation, as the LCDD backend is great for prototyping, debugging, and experimenting with different detector geometries, readouts, and physics settings. There are many options to explore, so having this type of "Swiss Army Knife" saves a lot of (programming) time.
SLIC is the recommended simulator because it allows great flexibility and power in the specification of the detector geometry. LCDD provides a 100% runtime description of the detector and its associated properties, including the detailed volume hierarchy, assignment and properties of sensitive detectors, and the specification of detector component identifiers, among many other features. In practice, writing files in this standardized format is much easier than trying to author custom C++ code for each proposed full detector design and their subdetectors.
The org.lcsim package is recommended, because it uses the Java programming language, which is generally much easier to get started with and use than C++, especially for those with only partial time to devote to ILC research. Additionally, JAS3 provides a number of integrated tools such as the WIRED event as is the case for so many contributors in detector simulations. JAS3, which is also used by the GLAST and BaBar collaborations and others in HEP research, provides a number of integrated tools such as the WIRED event display and an AIDA-compliant plotter.
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We all know that HEP researchers will use whatever tools it takes to get the job done. You might even try experimenting with the LCIO python bindings with PyROOT, for instance. |
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The remainder of this FAQ focuses (almost exclusively) on the US/ALCPG/SLAC software suite based on SLIC and org.lcsim. The LCIO file format and its different language implementations ensure a basic level of interoperability between the three disparate systems should you want to "mix and match". |
Feedback
Is there an forum for ILC detector simulation issues?
Feedback
Is there an forum for ILC detector simulation issues?
The linearcollider.org forum The linearcollider.org forum is an appropriate place to post your questions on detector simulations and reconstruction and analysis.
Is there a regular meeting that covers ILC detector simulation software?
The weekly LCD software meeting for discussing all aspects of detector simulations and analysis and reconstruction. This meeting takes place every Tuesday at 1:30 PST, unless cancelled.
Is there a mailing list for questions or announcements about ILC detector simulation?
Bug Reports
lcd-l (main one?)
lcd-dev (lcsim)
lcd-sim (active?)
calice-sw (active and useful for tbeam people)
TODO: Which of these are active and should be used? --JM
Bug Reports
How do I How do I file a bug report or make a feature request related to ILC software?
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Several packages are used by org.lcsim that are not specific to ILC simulations. There is a separate FreeHep bugtracker for these projects. These Jira projects include ...
How do I get an account on the ILC or FreeHep Jira?
Contact Tony Johnson <tony_johnson@slac.stanford.edu> to obtain an account on either of these systems.
Software Repositories
How can I checkout projects anonymously from the SLAC CVS?
You can checkout projects with this command.
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cvs -d :pserver:anonymous@cvs.freehep. |
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org:/cvs/lcd co [module]
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The module is the name of the package to checkout of CVS.
What modules are available from the SLAC CVS?
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How do I get an account
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Contact Tony Johnson <tony_johnson@slac.stanford.edu> to obtain an account on either of these systems.
Software Repositories
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at the SLAC CVS?
Where can I go for more information about the SLAC CVS?
What are some other CVS or SVN repositories I should know about or use?
What are the recommended CVS tools for Windows users?
Windows users should look at Tortoise CVS which adds extensions to Explorer for easily checking out projects.
SLIC
What is SLIC?
SLIC stands for "Simulator for the Linear Collider". It is a full simulation package that uses the Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit to simulate the passage of particles through the detector. SLIC outputs LCIO files that can be analysed using a variety of frameworks and language bindings. SLIC uses a separate backend for the input of detector data called Linear Collider Detector Description (LCDD), which itself is based on the GDML project from CERN.
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