Glossary ************************* .. glossary:: CCPP The topic of this technical guide, the Common Community Physics Package (CCPP) is a model-agnostic, well-vetted collection of codes containing atmospheric physical parameterizations and suites for use in NWP along with a framework that connects the physics to a :term:`host model` *CCPP Framework* The infrastructure that connects physics :term:`schemes ` with a :term:`host model`; also refers to a `software repository of the same name `_ *CCPP Physics* The pool of CCPP-compliant physics schemes; also refers to a `software repository of the same name `_ Entry point An entry point is a subroutine for one :term:`phase` of CCPP physics that is called by the :term:`host model`. Entry points are described in more detail in :numref:`Section %s ` Fast physics Physical parameterizations that require tighter coupling with the dynamical core than “slow” physics (due to the approximated processes within the parameterization acting on a shorter timescale) and that benefit from a smaller time step. The distinction is useful for greater accuracy, numerical stability, or both. In the UFS Atmosphere, a saturation adjustment is used in some suites and is called directly from the dynamical core for tighter coupling Group A set of physics :term:`schemes ` within a suite definition file (SDF) that are called together without intervening computations from the :term:`host application `. Groups are described in more detail in :numref:`Chapter %c `. Group *cap* Autogenerated interface between a :term:`group` of physics schemes and the :term:`host model`. Caps are described in more detail in :numref:`Chapter %c `. Host model A host model (or host application) is an atmospheric model or application that allocates memory, provides metadata for the variables passed into and out of the physics, and controls time-stepping Interstitial scheme A modularized piece of code to perform data preparation, diagnostics, or other “glue” functions that allows primary schemes to work together as a suite. They can be categorized as “scheme-specific” or “suite-level”. Scheme-specific interstitial schemes augment a specific primary scheme (to provide additional functionality). Suite-level interstitial schemes provide additional functionality on top of a class of primary schemes, connect two or more schemes together, or provide code for conversions, initializing sums, or applying tendencies, for example. The details of primary vs. interstitial schemes are described in more detail in :numref:`Chapter %c `. NCAR The National Center for Atmospheric Research - a US federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). NEMS The NOAA Environmental Modeling System - a software infrastructure that supports NCEP/EMC’s forecast products. The coupling software is based on ESMF and the `NUOPC layer `_. Parameterization The representation, in a dynamic model, of physical effects in terms of admittedly oversimplified parameters, rather than realistically requiring such effects to be consequences of the dynamics of the system (from the `AMS Glossary `_) Phase A CCPP phase is one of five steps that each physics :term:`scheme` can be broken down into. Phases are described in more detail in :numref:`Chapter %c `. Physics *cap* Generic name to refer to :term:`suite ` and :term:`group physics caps `. Physics Suite *cap* Autogenerated interface between an entire :term:`suite` of physics schemes and the :term:`host model`. It consists of calls to autogenerated physics group caps. It may be used to call an entire suite at once or to call a specific group within a physics suite Primary scheme A parameterization, such as PBL, microphysics, convection, and radiation, that fits the traditionally-accepted definition, as opposed to an interstitial scheme Scheme A CCPP-compliant parameterization (:term:`primary scheme`) or auxiliary code (:term:`interstitial scheme`) SDF Suite Definition File (SDF) is an external file containing information about the construction of a physics :term:`suite`. It describes the :term:`schemes ` that are called, in which order they are called, whether they are subcycled, and whether they are assembled into groups to be called together Set A collection of physics :term:`schemes ` that do not share memory (e.g. fast and slow physics) SCM The :term:`CCPP` Single-Column Model (SCM) is a simple 1D :term:`host model` designed to be used with the CCPP Physics and Framework as a lightweight alternative to full 3D dynamical models for testing and development of physics :term:`schemes ` and :term:`suites `. See the `SCM User Guide `_ for more information. Slow physics Physical parameterizations that can tolerate looser coupling with the dynamical core than “fast” physics (due to the approximated processes within the parameterization acting on a longer timescale) and that often use a longer time step. Such parameterizations are typically grouped and calculated together (through a combination of process- and time-splitting) in a section of an atmospheric model that is distinct from the dynamical core in the code organization Standard name Variable names based on CF conventions (http://cfconventions.org) that are uniquely identified by the *CCPP-compliant* :term:`schemes ` and provided by a :term:`host model`. See :numref:`Section %s ` for more details. Subcycling Executing a physics :term:`scheme` more frequently (with a shorter timestep) than the rest of the model physics or dynamics. See :numref:`Section %s ` for more details. Suite A collection of :term:`primary physics schemes ` and :term:`interstitial schemes ` that are known to work well together UFS A Unified Forecast System (UFS) is a community-based, coupled comprehensive Earth system modeling system. The UFS numerical applications span local to global domains and predictive time scales from sub-hourly analyses to seasonal predictions. It is designed to support the Weather Enterprise and to be the source system for NOAA's operational numerical weather prediction applications UFS Atmosphere The atmospheric model component of the :term:`UFS`. Its fundamental parts are the dynamical core and the physics UFS Weather Model The combined global/regional medium- to short-range weather-prediction model used in the :term:`UFS` to create forecasts