The purpose of the database Task Force is to define the requirements for the
ancillary data storage system for PHENIX. This includes all data to be stored
electronically excepting the raw data stream from the particle detectors. The
requirement should be defined as completely as is reasonable at this time. It
is not the purpose of the present effort to define the database system itself
or write a specification for such. However, the report of the Task Force will
form the basis from which a specification will be written and products chosen
that will serve PHENIX for the foreseeable future. It is expected that
specification-writing and product selection will be done by experts in database
technology.
The Task Force should deliver its findings to Project Management in written
form by the November, 1996 Collaboration meeting.
The requirements should reflect the needs of all aspects of PHENIX, including
all detector sub-system groups, service groups including ONCS, On-line,
Off-line, Simulation, and Project Management, as well as individuals and groups
who will analyze PHENIX data.
Each requirement for data to be stored should be described, including the data
type, estimated quantity (the size of the data set), the group(s) generating
and requiring the data, entry and access requirements, and any relationships to
other data sets. Correlations between similar data requirements should be
noted, but full analysis of this aspect will be done while generation the
database specification.
Particular attention should be paid to required methods for entry and access.
This aspect of the requirements will be important in choosing technologies.
Methods for finding and retrieving information, from what platforms, and
locations, and with what tools or interfaces should be discussed. So should
requirements for hardware interfaces such as bar-code readers, portable
workstations on factory floors etc. Just as important are requirements for
automated access by various software in the areas of On-line, Off-line, and
Simulation.