USE1.5 Overview: Software Environment

HPC systems have generally installed multiple versions of several essential software tools and software environments. Package management tools provide access to this wide variety of software. A user has to load the software for the current shell session to make commands available.

The widely available software tools are:

• Environment modules
• Spack

• Understand shell variables relevant for executing and building software.
• Query available software using the package manager.
• Select the appropriate versions for deployment in the session environment.
• Describe the general dependency structure of software.
• Describe how a package manager makes software available.
• Use the export command to print shell variables.
• Understand shell variables relevant for executing and building software:
  • PATH for executables
  • LD_LIBRARY_PATH for libraries
  • MANPATH for manual pages (man command)
  • PKG_CONFIG_PATH for pkg-config
• Manipulate shell variables to include additional software:
  • Setting shell variables for a single program by prefixing or by using export.

• USE1.5.1 Environment Modules
• USE1.5.2 Spack
• USE1.5.3 Conda environments