Old versus New

We need to distinguish current practice from upcoming methods; we project the direction taken by new developments, but as some features are not yet supported, or never will be, the old style alternatives must be discussed alongside.

The old is perhaps best represented by the LCAS/LCMAPS family of software, accompanied by SCAS an gLExec. This collection of system tools and libraries is developed in C, and has deep roots in the earliest grid systems. While the software proved to be stable grounds, some of the more recent wishes were hard to express in configuration and setup, and over time the authorization system was rethought and rewrought as the Argus service.

The new service complements the older codes, not replaces them; except for SCAS which was always supposed to be only a steward until the arrival of its master.