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The Parameter Subsystem
The Starlink parameter system interface library,
PAR (see SUN/114),
provides an interface between application programs and an underlying system
for handling program parameters.
The current underlying parameter subsystem allows parameters to be obtained
from a number of different sources such as the user (via prompts) or values
generated by other applications.
Facilities are also provided for dynamic generation of default values and
value limit checking.
Programs may also save parameter values for use in later invocations or by
other programs.
The system is implemented by five libraries in the PCS package.
- SUBPAR
- The top level of the underlying parameter system. Many
of the basic PAR subroutines are almost straight-through calls to the
corresponding SUBPAR subroutines.
- PARSECON
- Parsing of the interface files associated with SUBPAR.
The package also includes the interface file compiler, COMPIFL.
- LEX
- A lexical analyser used by SUBPAR in analysing command lines
etc.
- STRING
- Fortran string manipulation subroutines. These subroutines are
also used by software items outside the parameter system, but the library
has no published interface.
- MISC
- Miscellaneous routines which do not fit into other libraries.
Two handle terminal I/O for programs running directly from a Unix shell
and others provide a Fortran interface into the C library for platforms
(notably Linux) which do not include them as part of the system.
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PCS The Parameter and Communication Subsystems
Starlink System Note 29
A J Chipperfield
20 August 2001
E-mail:ussc@star.rl.ac.uk
Copyright © 2000 Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils