Abstract :
Detailed computational models, massively parallelized calculations, and enormously collaborative simulation projects are increasingly integral to the advancement of science. However, the quality and caliber of this work is limited by a workforce lacking formal training in a software development skill suite that is becoming increasingly essential. To address this unmet need, a number of organizations, including Software Carpentry, have developed online resources and short courses addressing software development best practices such as version control and test driven code development, as well as basic skills such as UNIX mobility [1, 2]. In addition to contributions such as a "Driver's License for High Performance Computing"[3], Software Carpentry conducts ‘Boot Camps’ at research institutions around the world. These boot camps seek to provide time efficient introductions to essential programming languages and tools without turning “biochemists and mechanical engineers into computer scientists” [4].

[1] K. Huff, A. Scopatz, N. Preston, P.P.H. Wilson. “Rapid Peer Education of a Computational Nuclear Engineering Skill Suite.” Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Annual Conference. Hollywood, FL. June 2011.

[2] G.V. Wilson, D.A. Aruliah, C.T. Brown, N.P. Chue Hong, M. Davis, R.T. Guy, S.H.D. Haddock, K.D. Huff, I. Mitchell, M. Plumbley, B. Waugh, E.P. White, and P.P.H. Wilson. “Best Practices For Scientific Computing.” arXiv:1210.0530 [cs.MS].

[3] Gregory V. Wilson. "Alpha Test of Driver’s License Exam." Software Carpentry Blog. August 16, 2012,
http://software-carpentry.org/2012/08/alpha-test-of-drivers-license-exa….

[4] Gregory V. Wilson. "Software Carpentry: Essential Software Skills for Research Scientists," September 6, 2006, http://nanohub.org/resources/1811.