Glossary

Framework and CMS-computing vocabulary, in plain terms. For the quick on-ramp version see Key terms.

anaTuple

The analysis-level ntuple FLAF produces from NanoAOD — a slimmed, skimmed ROOT tree with the objects, weights and flags an analysis needs. Produced by AnaTupleFileTask, merged by AnaTupleMergeTask.

AnaProd

The part of FLAF (AnaProd/) that produces anaTuples from NanoAOD, including the CMSSW-based anaTupleProducer.py.

Branch

One independent work unit of a workflow task. What it represents depends on the task — an input file, a dataset, or a variable. Select with --branches.

Bundle

A tarball of code/environment shipped to a batch worker so a job can run without the shared AFS area. See HTCondor.

Combine

The CMS statistical tool (HiggsAnalysis/CombinedLimit) used for limits and fits. FLAF builds a standalone v10.4.2.

Corrections

The shared submodule providing object corrections and systematic variations (pileup, b-tag, triggers, …) applied during ntuple production.

CMSSW

The CMS software framework. Some stages run inside it; FLAF wraps it with the cmsEnv helper.

CVMFS

The CERN read-only software-distribution filesystem (/cvmfs/…) from which FLAF gets compilers, Python, ROOT (LCG stacks) and CMSSW.

DAS

The CMS Data Aggregation System — the catalogue of official datasets. InputFileTask queries it to turn dataset names into file lists.

Dataset

One CMS sample (a simulated process or a chunk of data), identified by its DAS name. Declared in datasets.yaml. See Datasets.

Era / period

A CMS data-taking period (Run3_2022, Run3_2023BPix, …), passed as --period. Selects datasets, corrections and the NanoAOD version. See Eras.

Filesystem (fs_*)

A named storage location (local, EOS or a WLCG site) where a given output type is read/written. Configured in user_custom.yaml. See Storage.

FLAF

The Flexible LAW-based Analysis Framework — the shared machinery (tasks, config, environment, CI) included as a submodule in each analysis.

histTuple

An ntuple, derived from anaTuples, that carries the computed analysis observables, ready to be histogrammed. Produced by HistTupleProducerTask.

HTCondor

CERN's batch system. FLAF submits workflow branches to it with --workflow htcondor. See HTCondor.

LAW

Luigi Analysis Workflow — the layer over Luigi that gives FLAF its command-line interface, remote-storage handling and batch submission.

Luigi

The Python workflow engine that tracks task dependencies and outputs underneath LAW.

Meta-process

A process template that expands into a family of concrete processes (e.g. all resonant mass points). Marked is_meta_process: true. See Processes & models.

NanoAOD

The compact CMS data format that is the input to the whole pipeline.

Payload producer

A configured component that computes an analysis observable during HistTupleProducerTask.

Physics model

The named set of processes (background/signal/data) an analysis uses. TestModel is the small testing set; production uses the full model. Defined in phys_models.yaml.

PlotKit

FLAF's plotting-helpers submodule.

Process

A physics object built from one or more datasets (e.g. "TT", "DY", "signal") — what you plot and fit. Defined in processes.yaml.

Proxy (VOMS)

A short-lived credential derived from your grid certificate that authorises grid/EOS access. Created with voms-proxy-init; FLAF expects it at data/voms.proxy.

RunKit

Workflow utilities vendored into FLAF as a regular directory (formerly a submodule). Imported as FLAF.RunKit.<module>.

StatInference

The shared submodule for datacard creation and limit/fit tooling (used by the HH analyses).

Task

One stage of the pipeline with defined inputs, outputs and a run step. The unit LAW schedules. See Tasks & LAW and the Task reference.

Version

The --version label that namespaces a run's outputs so productions and tests don't collide.

WLCG

The Worldwide LHC Computing Grid — the federation of sites (T1_*, T2_*, T3_*) where CMS data and FLAF outputs are stored.

Workflow

A task that splits into many branches, runnable local or on htcondor.