The first ever International GPAW Code Sprint was held on November 16, 2007 at the Center for Atomic-scale Materials Design (CAMD).
The GPAW computer code is a newly developed advanced electronic structure modeling tool, which implements the highly accurate so-called Projector Augmented Wave Scheme on a real space grid.
The code sprint at DTU had participation of GPAW collaboration partners from Finland, and students, researchers, and code developers spent an entire Friday sprinting through a predefined large number of important modifications, small implementations, checks, and documentation improvements - all with the goal of making GPAW more efficient and give it a nicer feel in everyday use.
For eight hours straight - with only short breaks for refreshments - computer code was written, modified, and checked by the enthusiastic group of approximately 20 experienced python programmers.
Chief software developer at CAMD, Dr. Jens Jørgen Mortensen, who took the initiative to hold the International GPAW Code Sprint says that: “The sprint was a huge success – with a good-sized group of experts working intensely and well-organized, many small problems can be removed in one day, which would otherwise survive for a very long time, and slowly degrade the computer code. The code sprint is also an excellent opportunity for people working on GPAW in different countries or groups to get together and network for a day, while doing an important piece of work”. This autumn’s code sprint is thus expected to be the start of a new tradition.
Link to pictures