Data storage and management for high-energy physics: technical and sociological requirements

Abstract

The requirements for data storage and management in experimental high-energy physics (HEP) are examined. Current and future needs for storage and access to data are presented briefly from both technical and sociological standpoints. Questions such as "file management or database management?" and "distributed or centralized data management?" are of vital interest to HEP and probably to other disciplines and businesses. These questions are discussed but inevitably are not fully answered.<>