Software on the Cluster

Much of the software you need may already be installed on Ada. The pages below describe how to find and use it, and how to install anything that’s missing. You don’t need administrative privileges for any of these approaches.

• Modules: Load centrally installed software, such as compilers and R.
• Python & Jupyter: Create Python environments with conda, and use Jupyter through Open OnDemand.
• R & RStudio: Use centrally installed versions of R, and RStudio through Open OnDemand.
• Containers: Run software packaged as Docker or Apptainer images.
• Installing Software: Install additional software with Spack or other methods.

Many of these software tools (Lmod, Miniforge, the Spack-built R and compilers, Apptainer, Podman and Spack itself) are beta features. Several of them require enabling Lmod.

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Table of contents

• Modules - Loading centrally installed software with Environment Modules and Lmod.
• Python & Jupyter - Creating Python environments with conda (Miniforge), and using Jupyter via Open OnDemand.
• R & RStudio - Using centrally installed R versions, RStudio via Open OnDemand, and R with conda.
• Containers - Running software packaged as containers with Apptainer and Podman.
• Installing Software - Installing additional software with Spack, language package managers, binaries or from source.