ecFlow | alias

• ecFlow -- Installation & Usage

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Introduction to the Alias Function in ecFlow

ecFlow is a workflow management system developed by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) to orchestrate complex computational workflows, such as those involved in NWP. It is designed to handle dependencies, scheduling, and execution of tasks (e.g., running models, data assimilation, post-processing) in a robust and scalable manner. The alias function is a feature that allows users to create a temporary or alternative reference to a task or a suite, which can be used to trigger, monitor, or manage the task without directly referencing its primary name or path in the workflow hierarchy.

The alias function in ecFlow is a feature that allows you to clone an existing task, make minor modifications to its script, and run this modified version as an "alias" task. This is particularly useful for testing, debugging, or rerunning tasks without affecting the main workflow or suite execution.

The alias function in ecFlow is a versatile tool for managing complex NWP workflows.

It provides flexibility to

• test new configurations,
• rerun tasks,
• simplify operational control, and
• interface with external systems

without modifying the core workflow.

In the context of numerical weather prediction, where workflows involve numerous interdependent tasks and require frequent experimentation, aliases enhance efficiency and adaptability. By following best practices and understanding the function’s capabilities and limitations, users can leverage aliases to streamline their ecFlow-managed NWP workflows effectively.

Step

• When these alias jobs are done, you can remove them.

References

1. https://ecflow.readthedocs.io/en/5.12.4/python_api/Alias.html
2. https://ecflow.readthedocs.io/en/5.13.0/tutorial/advanced_topics/alias.html
3. https://confluence.ecmwf.int/display/ECFLOW/Alias
4. https://confluence.ecmwf.int/display/ECFLOW/Writing+ecFlow+scripts
5. https://ecflow.readthedocs.io/en/5.13.0/python_api/InLimit.html
6. https://confluence.ecmwf.int/display/ECFLOW/ecFlow+Python+Api
7. https://perillaroc.github.io/ecflow-tutorial-cn/chap04/python/object-oriented-suites/