Run-time extensibility and librarization of simulation software

TL;DR

This paper discusses the limitations of build-time configuration in scientific simulation software and advocates for run-time extensibility and librarization to improve usability and flexibility for future scientific needs.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to make scientific simulation software more flexible through run-time extensibility and modular libraries.

Findings

Build-time assumptions hinder scientific software progress.

Run-time extensibility improves usability and adaptability.

Librarization facilitates reuse and flexibility.

Abstract

Build-time configuration and environment assumptions are hampering progress and usability in scientific software. That which would be utterly unacceptable in non-scientific software somehow passes for the norm in scientific packages. The community needs reusable software packages that are easy use and flexible enough to accommodate next-generation simulation and analysis demands.