HSF Affiliated Projects and Software - review of the Pythia and Madgraph packages

[Caterina Doglioni]

Dear all,

Following (and taking much inspiration from) Liz’s recent message on the review of Pepper, we have two more affiliated project reviews [1] ready: 

• With Stefan Roiser and several other early career researchers with an interest and expertise in software [2], we have completed the review of the Pythia 8.3 package at this document; 
• With Johannes Elmsheuser, we have completed the review of the MadGraph5_aMC@NLO package at this document; 

You are all encouraged to contribute by posting comments directly on the GDoc. In these reviews, we have added a preamble stating the “Tier” of software of the package under review (according to the three tiers of software model), instead of having differential recommendations. Comments on this preamble are also welcome.   

Given that the two packages and reviews are rather similar in scope, size and outcome, we would like to keep a deadline for comments on April 27th (2 week period) at which point the HSF Steering Group will do the final endorsement based on the inputs received. 

If you prefer to comment privately, please send the SG an email (hsf-st...@googlegroups.com). Also do not hesitate to ask if you need any clarification.

As bonus content, in both documents you will also notice extra tabs (with a table of content). These are derived from the mapping of the HSF affiliated project criteria to other two projects concerned with software quality. You may already be familiar with EVERSE from presentation at the last HSF/WLCG workshops [3], and we are having a seminar on the ICFA Data Lifecycle recommendations by Kati Lassila Perini on 29/04 (https://indico.cern.ch/event/1642428/) where we will have time to discuss both the recommendations and the mapping and synergies within our affiliation project and the ICFA data lifecycle panel. 

Thank you all in advance!

Caterina, with Stefan and Johannes for the HSF Steering Group

[1] Starting in 2025, the HSF developed a process for affiliating Projects and Software to the HSF.  Affiliated Projects are reviewed by volunteers from the HSF steering and coordination groups. Projects and/or software become affiliated following a public evaluation process and according to the these guidelines. 

 

[2]  Maximilian Amerl, James Smith, Danielle Wilson-Edwards, Savanna Shaw, Angelica Aira Ayalin, Tobias Fitschen  (University of Manchester/ATLAS), Bralyne Matoukam (University of Witwatersrand/ATLAS) 

[3] Latest talks from the 2025 workshop (https://indico.cern.ch/event/1484669/): 

• The European Virtual Institute for Research Software Excellence (EVERSE) https://indico.cern.ch/event/1484669/contributions/6468830/

• The EVERSE Research Software Quality Toolkit (RSQKit)https://indico.cern.ch/event/1484669/contributions/6456384/
• The EVERSE Training and Recognition Plan https://indico.cern.ch/event/1484669/contributions/6456385/
• The EVERSE/ESCAPE Use Cases: Evaluating and Improving the Quality of HEP Software https://indico.cern.ch/event/1484669/contributions/6456383/

[Caterina Doglioni]

Hi all again,

Thanks to Paul, Charles and Zach as they pointed out that the Madgraph link was missing, and prompted a clarification on the general vs differential guidelines on the website. 

• The review of the MadGraph5_aMC@NLO package can be found at this link;  
• The website still mentions the differential practices. I intended to make a PR in the February SG meeting, but haven’t gotten to it yet - it’s on my list of things to do this week 😊 There will also be the chance to discuss more at the next HSF/WLCG workshop. 

Thanks,

Caterina