Replace copy_field_alg_mod with real_to_real_x builtin

[Alistair Pirrie (mo-alistairp)]

PR Summary

Sci/Tech Reviewer: Benjamin Went (@MetBenjaminWent)
Code Reviewer: Andrew Coughtrie (@andrewcoughtrie)

PSyclone has introduced the builtin real_to_real_x. This allows us to remove copy_field_alg_mod. Replacing this helps reduce technical debt and allow for more potential optimisation. Note that the arguments have swapped order to match the standard where outputs occur first.

The PSyKAl-lite code originates in LFRic core. Hence, this ticket blocks the LFRic core PR, as the PSyKAl-lite cannot be removed before we remove references to it in LFRic apps.

towards MetOffice/lfric_core/316 (MetOffice/lfric_core#316)
blocks MetOffice/lfric_core/317 (MetOffice/lfric_core#317)

Code Quality Checklist

• I have performed a self-review of my own code
• My code follows the project's style guidelines
• Comments have been included that aid understanding and enhance the readability of the code
• My changes generate no new warnings
• All automated checks in the CI pipeline have completed successfully

Testing

• I have tested this change locally, using the LFRic Apps rose-stem suite
• If any tests fail (rose-stem or CI) the reason is understood and acceptable (e.g. kgo changes)
• I have added tests to cover new functionality as appropriate (e.g. system tests, unit tests, etc.)
• Any new tests have been assigned an appropriate amount of compute resource and have been allocated to an appropriate testing group (i.e. the developer tests are for jobs which use a small amount of compute resource and complete in a matter of minutes)

trac.log

Test Suite Results - lfric_apps - replace_copy_field_alg_mod_lfric_apps/run1

Suite Information

Item	Value
Suite Name	replace_copy_field_alg_mod_lfric_apps/run1
Suite User	alistair.pirrie
Workflow Start	2026-03-27T10:08:36
Groups Run	all

Dependency	Reference	Main Like
casim	MetOffice/[email protected]	True
jules	MetOffice/[email protected]	True
lfric_apps	mo-alistairp/lfric_apps@replace_copy_field_alg_mod	False
lfric_core	MetOffice/lfric_core@018e40c	True
moci	MetOffice/[email protected]	True
SimSys_Scripts	MetOffice/SimSys_Scripts@4387949	True
socrates	MetOffice/[email protected]	True
socrates-spectral	MetOffice/[email protected]	True
ukca	MetOffice/[email protected]	True

Task Information

✅ succeeded tasks - 1512

Security Considerations

• I have reviewed my changes for potential security issues
• Sensitive data is properly handled (if applicable)
• Authentication and authorisation are properly implemented (if applicable)

Performance Impact

• Performance of the code has been considered and, if applicable, suitable performance measurements have been conducted

AI Assistance and Attribution

• Some of the content of this change has been produced with the assistance of Generative AI tool name (e.g., Met Office Github Copilot Enterprise, Github Copilot Personal, ChatGPT GPT-4, etc) and I have followed the Simulation Systems AI policy (including attribution labels)

Documentation

• Where appropriate I have updated documentation related to this change and confirmed that it builds correctly

PSyclone Approval

• If you have edited any PSyclone-related code (e.g. PSyKAl-lite, Kernel interface, optimisation scripts, LFRic data structure code) then please contact the TCD Team

Sci/Tech Review

• I understand this area of code and the changes being added
• The proposed changes correspond to the pull request description
• Documentation is sufficient (do documentation papers need updating)
• Sufficient testing has been completed

(Please alert the code reviewer via a tag when you have approved the SR)

Code Review

• All dependencies have been resolved
• Related Issues have been properly linked and addressed
• CLA compliance has been confirmed
• Code quality standards have been met
• Tests are adequate and have passed
• Documentation is complete and accurate
• Security considerations have been addressed
• Performance impact is acceptable

[DrTVockerodtMO]

Code owner review passed!