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The software to be tested is called CASA - Common Astronomy Software
Applications.  CASA is a python binding of the C++ functionality that
was in AIPS++.  This initial version of CASA will have python commands
that will have a one-to-one correspondence with AIPS++ Glish commands.
This will be the first test of the CASA infrastructure and python
interface (note: the next test will focus on a new task-based system
that by-passes the Glish tool-based implementation).

The test focus will be to exercise and verify functionality for
editing, visualization, data reduction and analysis for single
baseline interferometry.  These are capabilities that are needed at
the ATF and for commissioning support.

Two datasets have been chosen for you to reduce and analyze.  These
have been extracted from datasets obtained from existing telescopes:

 - NGC 1333: A 7 mm spectral line Very Large Array (VLA) project that
  observed SiO(1-0) line emission in the bipolar outflow from a young
  stellar object NGC 1333.  A single baseline from the calibrator
  data (gain and bandpass) has been extracted to simulate high S/N
  data that may be appropriate for ATF 3 mm (very good conditions) or
  OTF 1 or 3 mm observations.

 - NGC 4826: A 3 mm spectral line Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Array
  (BIMA) mosaic project that observed 12CO(1-0) line emission in the
  galaxy NGC 4826.  A single baseline from the calibrator data has
  been extracted to simulate low S/N data that may be appropriate for
  ATF 3 mm or OTF 1 mm (or sub-millimeter) observations.

We may have another simulated dataset that will better illustrate the
fringe-fitting capabilities of the software.

The documentation (both cookbook and on-line reference manual) should
be adequate for you to figure out how to proceed with the test (this
assumes knowledge of radio interferometry techniques).  Comments on
the cookbook and other documentation are welcome.  We will provide
detailed descriptions of the data (e.g. correlator setup, window
placement, etc...) to make it easier for you to test the software
capabilities.

You will have one month to fill, edit, reduce and analyze the data
following a cookbook description of the process although the actual
testing should only take a few days or less.  During this month, the
Offline software developers and I will be available to help you with
questions or problems that you may come across.  Please do not start
the test at the last minute!  Be aware that although extensive testing
of the software has been done in-house, the python commands you will
be using will not be optimized.  This is just a first cut at
commands. Software bugs may still exist.  The developers will do their
best to help you through any difficulties, including fixing any bugs
and distributing new software if necessary.  But they can only provide
this support if they are given adequate time.  If you find you cannot
complete the test by the deadline, please contact me as soon as
possible (dshepher@nrao.edu, work phone: 1-505-835-7398).

During your testing, PLEASE keep a detailed script of the processing
steps you do and your parameter inputs.  Example scripts for both VLA
and millimeter processing will be provided with the Cookbook.  You can
use these scripts to guide your reduction and minimize typing (you
will just have to change inputs and then cut and paste commands into
the command line window).  Detailed testing scripts are
important because, if you have a problem, you can send your script to
the software developers and they will be able to help you figure out
if the problem is with a typo in the script or if you have uncovered a
real problem.

When you complete your testing, please fill out the questionnaire
provided to you describing your testing experience and any problems
you encountered.  Also, please examine the the list of requirements
that are being evaluated during the processing.  Provide grades for
all requirements that you were able to exercise.  All testing reports
and requirements evaluations will then be used to write a final report
which will be submitted to ALMA management and the Offline development
team.

If you have any questions, issues, problems, please don't hesitate to
contact me.

Sincerely,

Debra Shepherd
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Subsystem Scientist for the ALMA Offline software

e-mail:                  dshepherATnraoDOTedu
work phone:              1-505-835-7398
FAX:                     1-505-835-7027