The Athena Startup Kit

Abstract

The Athena Startup Kit (ASK) integrates the ATHENA framework, and the software based on it, with the official releases and the various supporting tools in order to provide an easier, more consistent, and more robust user interface to Atlas offline software. ASK operates completely in user-space: it performs only those tasks that are otherwise left to the end-user by the "standard" Atlas tools.

There are two main aspects to ASK. First, there is the "Startup" part, which gives the end-user a safe playground to begin using Atlas software and to learn the supporting tools within a working setup. To further facilitate this, a graphical user interface is provided for the most high-level tasks. Second, there is the "Kit" part that allows for the use of ASK's layered interface, utilities, and modules in batch scripts and test environments.

This document consists of three parts: an Atlas full-chain tutorial; the ASK manual; and background information, including an extensive glossary. The best way to use this text is by skimming quickly through the manual and then start with a tutorial of your choice, referring back to the manual if needed, while using the background information and glossary to delve deeper in the subjects that you'll use on a daily basis.