HPC systems have generally installed multiple versions of several essential software tools and software environments. Package management tools provide access to this wide variety of software. A user has to load the software for the current shell session to make commands available.

The widely available software tools are:

• Environment modules
• Spack

• To utilize different package management tools to make software available

• Understand shell variables relevant for executing and building software
• Query available software using the package manager
• Select the appropriate versions for deployment in the session environment
• Comprehend that Modules can have dependencies and conflicts
  • a Module can enforce that other Modules that it depends on must be loaded before the Module itself can be loaded
  • conflicting modules must not be loaded at the same time (e.g. two version of a compiler)
• Use important commands of the Modules environment like
  • module list
  • module avail
  • module load program[/version]
  • module unload program
  • module switch program program/version
  • module [un]use [–append] path
• Use self-documentation for the Modules environment
  • module display program/version
  • module whatis [program/version]
  • module help program/version
  • module help

• USE1.4.1-B Overview
• USE1.4.2-B Environment Modules
• USE1.4.3-B Spack