Michele Maris ( Trieste Astronomical Observatory - Via G.B.Tiepolo 11, I-34131 - Trieste - Italy )
Maria Staniszkis ( Mathematics and Informatics Department - Udine University - Via delle Scienze 206, I-33100 - Udine - Italy )
Reference URL: http://pv.infn.it/~maris/apgatpl.html
A theoretical model for the application of automated methods to organize and build simulation programs is presented. The application of automated methods for simulation programming is possible since most of the simulation programs commonly used in (astro)physics may be assigned to few classes defined formally by their structures and functions. Each formal class description gives a framework to describe, analyze and develop each specific simulation program inside the class. Combining the basic software modules describing the physics of the simulated process and the simulation formal description an Automated Program Generator (APG) may be used to build and maintain a full simulation code. A general purpose APG to apply this principle, together with the application prescriptions and the required theoretical analysis, is in an advanced stage of development at the Trieste Astronomical Observatory (OAT) and at the Mathematics and Informatics Department of the Udine University. First versions of such program are already used and tested for CMB studies in the Planck/LFI collaboration and neutrino (astro)physics studies. The first applications planned for the general purpose APG will be CMB studies for the Planck/LFI collaboration, the creation and management of a pipeline for the Planck/LFI data reduction and the remote control of astronomical instruments.