Frequently Asked Questions

I have a problem with ALPS and need help.

If you need help and you cannot find an answer on the webpage or in the documentation, you have two options. Either ask your question on Discord for immediate help, or file an issue under Issues. We will do our best to get back to you.

What are the conditions for using ALPS?

ALPS and all its applications are released under the MIT License, one of the most permissive open-source licenses available. You are free to use, modify, and distribute ALPS in almost any context — including integrating it into your own software or using it in commercial projects — with minimal restrictions.

If you find ALPS useful and publish scientific results obtained with it, we kindly ask that you cite our papers. Please visit our publications page for the appropriate references.

How can I report a bug in the codes?

If you have found a bug, please file an issue in our GitHub repository. When doing so, please follow the issue template provided on the GitHub page — this helps us reproduce and address the problem as efficiently as possible. You are also welcome to reach the ALPS team directly on Discord. We will do our best to investigate and respond promptly.

How can I install ALPS?

Full installation instructions are available on our installation page. We support binary, Spack, and source installation.

How can I contribute to ALPS?

Contributions to ALPS are welcome at many levels — from taking on the maintenance of an existing code or contributing your own, to helping fix open issues and bugs. The first step is to reach out to our Community Steering Committee, who will be happy to discuss how your work can best fit into the project.

Undergraduate students interested in getting involved with ALPS are encouraged to read our Onboarding Statement for Students.