Description
This document outlines the CMS Offline Software and Computing strategy in preparation for the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) era and serves as input to the 2026 update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics. As CMS faces a significant increase in data volume, event complexity, and computing demands in Phase-2, this report details the necessary evolution of software, computing models, infrastructure, and sustainability practices. Key developments include optimizing the CMSSW framework for heterogeneous architectures, expanding the use of AI/ML in simulation and reconstruction, adopting container-based analysis environments, and improving storage efficiency through hybrid models. The document emphasizes collaborative development across the HEP community, the need for sustainable computing aligned with environmental goals, and securing long-term resource commitments, especially from HPC centers, to ensure the success of CMS scientific program and its broader impact on future experiments.
