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FMS – Frequently Asked Questions

General

Compilation

Runtime


General

Q: What is FMS?
The Flexible Modeling System (FMS), is a software framework for supporting the efficient development, construction, execution, and scientific interpretation of atmospheric, oceanic, and climate system models. It was developed at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. A more comprehensive description can be found here.
Q: How do I obtain FMS?
Our publicly released models are listed on our website. The source for these models contain the FMS source code, along with instructions on how to build and run the models. We have also made available the FMS source on github under the NOAA-GFDL organization.
Q: Where can I ask a question?
You may send your questions to gfdl.climate.model.info@noaa.gov.
Q: What documentation is available?
You may browse the documentation associated with our publicly released models by clicking on the link for the given model. For more technical details, documentation on the FMS code base is also available.
Q: How do models get dates, and which dates are used for what?
If the model starts from a restart file, it always takes its date from the restart file. If it does not read coupler.res or atmos_model.res, it takes its date from coupler_nml (for coupled models) or main_nml (for solo models). The date in the diagnostics table is used as a base date for calculating the axes in output netCDF files. It is usually set to the start of the model run. You will get an error if it is set to a date later than that in the date set in the restart files.

Compilation

Q: How do I compile the code?
Most FMS models use Makefiles generated from the make makefile utility, mkmf, typically through the runtime environment, FRE. Additionally, FMS supports two other build options on it’s own, cmake, and autotools. Instructions on how to create a Makefile and compile the code should be included in the model’s documentation, or in the model’s package file. For specific information on any of the NOAA HPC resources, please refer to the system’s documentation wiki (requires a @noaa.gov email address). All other questions can be directed to gfdl.climate.model.info@noaa.gov.
Q: How do I get help with compilation or link issues?
If compiling on one of the NOAA HPC resources, please refer to the system’s documentation wiki (requires a @noaa.gov email address). Additionally, more comprehensive information for compiling FMS specifically can be found on the build page from the FMS documentation site. All other questions can be directed to gfdl.climate.model.info@noaa.gov.

Runtime

Q: How do I run the model?
Information on how to run the model should be included in the model’s documentation, or in the model’s package file. The model package file should include sample run scripts to help. For specific information on any of the NOAA HPC resources, please refer to the system’s documentation wiki (requires a @noaa.gov email address). All other questions can be directed to gfdl.climate.model.info@noaa.gov.
Q: Where do I get the input data files?
Information on where to get the input data files should be included in the models’ documentation. However, many of the required and sample data sets are available on the GFDL’s Data Portal. For help with the data sets on GFDL’s Data Portal or difficulties accessing data sets, please refer to the questions section on the main page of the GFDL Data Portal.
Q: How do I get help with runtime issues?
For information specific for runtime issues on one of the NOAA HPC resources, please refer to the system’s documentation wiki (requires a @noaa.gov email address). All other questions can be directed to gfdl.climate.model.info@noaa.gov.