Source-linked AI summary
Astrophysics Source Code Library
Alice Allen, Kimberly DuPrie, Bruce Berriman, Robert J. Hanisch, Jessica Mink, Peter J. Teuben
TL;DR
The ASCL provides a growing, searchable registry for astrophysics source codes and makes entries discoverable and citable through ADS. Its editors and Advisory Committee promote the resource, demonstrate its uses, and report increasing community activity.
Problem
Astrophysics source codes used in refereed research need a searchable registry that supports their discovery and citation.
Method
The ASCL actively adds codes, maintains an accessible online registry, and demonstrates its uses while accepting submissions and improvement suggestions.
Results
ASCL entries are being used in papers, documentation, preprints, publication lists, citation indices, and links connecting papers to software, while registry activity trends upward.
Takeaways & Limitations
ADS indexing and community use make astrophysics software easier to discover, cite, locate, and connect with the papers that use it.
Abstract
from arXiv · showhide
The Astrophysics Source Code Library (ASCL), founded in 1999, is a free on-line registry for source codes of interest to astronomers and astrophysicists. The library is housed on the discussion forum for Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) and can be accessed at http://ascl.net. The ASCL has a comprehensive listing that covers a significant number of the astrophysics source codes used to generate results published in or submitted to refereed journals and continues to grow. The ASCL currently has entries for over 500 codes; its records are citable and are indexed by ADS. The editors of the ASCL and members of its Advisory Committee were on hand at a demonstration table in the ADASS poster room to present the ASCL, accept code submissions, show how the ASCL is starting to be used by the astrophysics community, and take questions on and suggestions for improving the resource.
1. Introduction
The Astrophysics Source Code Library is a free online registry for astrophysics research software. As of October 31, 2012, it indexed 546 codes and provided searchable, discoverable, citable records.
- The ASCL is a free online registry of source codes used in research by astronomers and astrophysicists.
- 546 codes were indexed as of October 31, 2012, making the ASCL the largest astrophysics software resource in existence.
- The site offers full-text iterative searching and benefits from stable exposure through its affiliation with APOD.
- Since January 2012, ADS has indexed ASCL entries, making the codes discoverable and citable.
2. History of the ASCL
The ASCL was created in 1999, later revived through a site move and new leadership in 2010, and subsequently expanded with an Advisory Committee established in 2011.
- The ASCL was created in 1999 and had collected 37 codes by 2002.
- After updates ceased while the repository remained available, the ASCL moved to a new site in mid-2010 under Robert Nemiroff and Alice Allen.
- The registry averaged 18 codes added per month after the 2010 move.
- An Advisory Committee chaired by Peter J. Teuben was established in 2011.
- The committee included Bruce Berriman, Robert Hanisch, Jessica Mink, Robert Nemiroff, Lior Shamir, and John Wallin.
3. ASCL demonstration table
The ADASS demonstration table presented the ASCL, accepted submissions, and showed its emerging community uses. The registry grew from 2010 to 2012, while site activity trended upward despite variation.
- 3. ASCL demonstration table: Editors and Advisory Committee members demonstrated the ASCL at ADASS, accepted code submissions, and collected suggestions for improving the resource.
- 3.1. Use of ASCL entries by the community: ASCL entries were being used as citations in papers and documentation, in preprints to locate software, and in publication lists and Google Scholar indices.
- 3.1. Use of ASCL entries by the community: ASCL entries were also used to link papers to the software they used.
- 3.2. Update on growth and activity: The registry grew from the third quarter of 2010 through the third quarter of 2012, with nearly all codes added by editors during the preceding two years.
- 3.2. Update on growth and activity: Site activity was influenced by blog posts, articles, conference presentations, and APOD links, and pageviews trended upward over time despite variation.
4. Resources available online for download or viewing
Materials from the ASCL demonstration and related outreach were made available online for viewing or download.
- Presentations from the demonstration table were available on the ASCL blog or as PowerPoint downloads.
- The “Bring out your codes!” talking points, relevant-articles list, and ASCL flyer could also be downloaded from the ASCL blog.
- The ASCL thanked the American Astronomical Society for its support.