[Halld-offline] New version set: version_6.0.0.xml (JANA2)

[Alexander Austregesilo]

Dear Colleagues,

We are happy to announce a new version set: version_6.0.0.xml 
(https://halldweb.jlab.org/halld_versions/version_6.0.0.xml)

This version set describes the first official build of the GlueX 
software stack based on JANA2 (https://jeffersonlab.github.io/JANA2). It 
includes major, not backward-compatible changes to the packages 
halld_recon, halld_sim, and hdgeant4 which have undergone thorough 
testing over the last few months. At the same time, we advanced the 
Geant4 version to 10.07.p04 and upgraded the hddm library, which 
included a consistent renaming of the "Unknown" particle to the better 
fitting "UnknownParticle". These upgrades also required minor changes to 
gluex_root_analysis and hd_utilities.

We built this version set on AlmaLinux9, RHEL9, and the AlmaLinux9 
container. It will become the default on the JLab farm before midnight 
tonight. Older operating systems are no longer supported.

You may find additional resources about the JANA2 transition below. 
There will also be a dedicated talk about this change at the 
collaboration meeting next week.

Thanks to everybody who contributed to this big step forward.

Best regards,

Alex for the GlueX Software Group


==

Additional resources


The command for the hd_root process will require a small modification:

* J1: hd_root --config=my_file.config input.evio

* J2: hd_root --loadconfigs my_file.config input.evio


A few common parameters had to be changed:

* J1: EVENTS_TO_KEEP, JANA_CALIB_CONTEXT

* J2: jana:nevents, jana:calib_context


If you are using any plugins or programs which are not in the git 
repository, this page will help you to adapt your code to the new 
dependency:

https://jeffersonlab.github.io/JANA2/#/jana1to2/jana1-to-jana2


This wiki page was used to track the entire transition process, 
including extensive testing, bench-marking, and bug-fixing:

https://halldweb.jlab.org/wiki/index.php/Transition_to_JANA2

-- 
Alexander Austregesilo

Staff Scientist - Experimental Nuclear Physics
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility
Newport News, VA
aaustreg at jlab.org
(757) 269-6982