Survival of the Fittest BUGS in the NSLS
I. So, P. Siddons
NSLS - Brookhaven National Laboratory
Beamline User Group Software (BUGS) were originally introduced into
the over 90 NSLS beamlines by the PRT's, with no attempt to ensure uniformity
among the different PRTs. Their survival depended on their fitness
to the experiment and the competition from other BUGS. Some BUGS can be bought
from commercial vendors. Others are home grown. The expectations of users
of BUGS have changed dramatically since NSLS was commissioned, and it seems
apropriate to review the situation in a modern light.
The characteristics of the dominant BUGS in the different
domains of NSLS experiments will be examined and categorized. An attempt
will be made to unnaturally select (i.e. to try to form a rational basis
for selection of) BUGS that might dominate the evolving NSLS environment in the
next 5 to 10 years based on these characteristics.
The major BUGS currently under consideration are EPICS and LabView.
(posted 13-Nov-97 jw)