# EPICS

> software infrastructure for building distributed control systems

**Wikidata**: [Q1275643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1275643)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPICS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/epics

## Summary
EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System) is a free software infrastructure designed for building distributed control systems, primarily used in scientific applications. Distributed under the EPICS Open License, it provides the necessary tools and framework for managing complex control environments. The software is actively maintained, with its most recent version, 7.0.9, released in February 2025.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name**: Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System
- **Aliases**: Kontroll System für Experimental Physik and Industrie Anwendungen
- **Category**: Free software
- **License**: EPICS Open License
- **Primary Use**: Science
- **Latest Version**: 7.0.9 (released 2025-02-21)
- **Stable Version**: 7.0.8.1 (released 2024-07-01)
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/epics-base/epics-base
- **Official Website**: https://epics-controls.org/

## FAQs
### Q: What does EPICS stand for?
A: EPICS stands for Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System. It also has a German alias: "Kontroll System für Experimental Physik and Industrie Anwendungen."

### Q: What is the primary use of EPICS?
A: EPICS is used for building distributed control systems, particularly within scientific research and industrial applications.

### Q: Is EPICS free to use?
A: Yes, EPICS is free software distributed under the EPICS Open License, allowing users to run, study, change, and distribute it freely.

### Q: Where can I access the EPICS source code?
A: The source code is available on GitHub at https://github.com/epics-base/epics-base, which also serves as the issue tracker.

## Why It Matters
EPICS is a critical infrastructure in the world of scientific research and industrial control. By providing a free, open-source framework under the EPICS Open License, it enables institutions to build and maintain complex distributed control systems without the financial burden of proprietary software. This accessibility fosters collaboration and innovation, as users can modify and share improvements to the codebase. Its specific design for science-related applications makes it a tailored solution for laboratories and research facilities worldwide. The consistent release of stable versions, such as the December 2023 and July 2024 updates, demonstrates a commitment to reliability and modernization, ensuring that EPICS remains a viable and secure tool for cutting-edge scientific endeavors.

## Notable For
- **Open Licensing**: Distributed under the EPICS Open License, maximizing accessibility and adaptability for users.
- **Scientific Specialization**: Explicitly designed for and used in scientific contexts, distinguishing it from generic control system software.
- **Active Development**: Shows a clear, ongoing commitment to improvement with multiple stable releases in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- **Distributed Architecture**: Its core purpose is building distributed control systems, a specialized requirement for large-scale scientific facilities.
- **Multilingual Documentation**: Wikipedia entries exist in five languages (German, English, Hindi, Japanese, Russian), indicating a global user base.

## Body
### Software Classification and Licensing
EPICS is classified as free software. It is distributed under the **EPICS Open License**, which grants users the freedom to run, study, change, and distribute the software and any modified versions. This licensing model supports its widespread use in collaborative scientific environments.

### Version History and Releases
The software is actively maintained with regular updates. Key versions include:
- **Version 7.0.9**: Released on February 21, 2025.
- **Version 7.0.8.1**: A stable version released on July 1, 2024.
- **Version 7.0.8**: A stable version released on December 16, 2023.

### Technical Resources and Community
The project's source code is hosted in a public repository on **GitHub** (`https://github.com/epics-base/epics-base`), which also serves as the platform for issue tracking. The official website is `https://epics-controls.org/`, with an additional resource site at `http://www.aps.anl.gov/epics/`. The software's presence in multiple Wikipedia languages and its listing in the Free Software Directory under the "science" category highlight its international reach and domain specificity.

## References

1. [Source](http://directory.fsf.org/wiki/EPICS)
2. [Source](http://www.aps.anl.gov/epics/license/open.php)
3. [Source](https://epics-controls.org/resources-and-support/base/epics-7/7-0-9/)
4. [Release 7.0.8. 2023](https://github.com/epics-base/epics-base/releases/tag/R7.0.8)
5. [Release 7.0.8.1. 2024](https://github.com/epics-base/epics-base/releases/tag/R7.0.8.1)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](https://epics.anl.gov/index.php)