This report summarizes the work performed for the program titled, "IUE Data Analysis Software for Personal Computers" awarded under Astrophysics Data Program NRA 92-OSSA-15. The work performed was completed over a 2-year period starting in April 1994. As a result of the project, 450 IDL routines and eight database tables are now available for distribution for Power Macintosh computers and Personal Computers running Windows 3.1

Caplinger, J.

Lawton , P.

Taylor, L.

Thompson, R.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

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_5 _J// CR-203903
IUE Data Analysis Software for Personal Computers
Final Report for Contract NAS5-32629
R. Thompson, J. Caplinger, L. Taylor, P. Lawton
IUE Data Analysis Center
Computer Sciences Corporation
11 April 1996
Abstract
This report summarizes the work performed for the program titled "International Ultraviolet
Explorer (IUE) Data Analysis Software for Personal Computers" awarded under Astrophysics
Data Program NRA 92-OSSA-15. The work performed was completed over a two-year period
starting in April, 1994. As a result of the project, 450 IDL routines and eight database tables are
now available for distribution for Power Macintosh computers, and Personal Computers running
Windows 3.1.
1 Introduction
The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) Data Analysis software is written in the Interactive
Data Language (IDL) marketed by Research Systems Incorporated (t{SI). In the past it has been
supported by the IUE project on VMS, Unix, and Ultrix platforms. The software allows users
to reduce and analyze IUE spectral data, display images, perform various database searches and
convert data sets into various file formats. Although designed primarily to reduce and analyze
IUE spectral files, it has also been used to analyze both HST and Copernicus data. The software
is maintained by the IUE Data Analysis Center (IUEDAC) and is distributed free of charge via
anonymous ftp.
The current IUEDAC software library consists of 450 individual programs, containing roughly
35,{}00 lines of executable code and _ 40,000 lines of documentation. In addition, several databases
are maintained including the recently expanded IUE merged observing log, the IUE FES table, the
bibliographic reference database (which catalogs papers published using IUE data), and a table of
IUESIPS configuration entries.
Since the time the ADP proposal was submitted, the IUEDAC undertook several software
development projects. With the release of the first NEWSIPS data, the IUEDAC upgraded their
software to allow the extraction and analysis of low dispersion NEWSIPS processed data. Much of
the software needed to support high dispersion NEWSIPS data is also available. General support
for Flexible Image Transport System (FITS) file formatwas also completed. IDL routines can now
read primary array FITS files as well as Image, Table, and Binary table extensions. In addition
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19980006300 2020-06-16T00:41:46+00:00Z
to the standard binary table extension, the IUEDAC routines also support the variable-length
array facility and the multi-dimensional array conventions. This software has been included in the
conversion effort.
2 Software Conversion
The PC and Mac environments are significantly different from the VMS and Unix systems. For
this reason, we adopted the policy of reducing (as much as possible) our reliance on system-specific
features. The major software changes that were incorporated to port the IDL software to PCs and
Macs are described below.
To avoid the need for global environment variables as have been used on the VAX and Unix
platforms, all directory paths were defined using internal IDL system variables. These path names,
which describe the location of the IUEDAC software, database tables, auxiliary data sets, etc., have
been stored as tags in an IDL structure. In this way, all the IUEDAC file paths were stored in one
system variable called !iuer. The system variable is defined automatically during IDL startup and
all the IUEDAC routines have been modified accordingly. The changes are transparent to the user.
In the past, attxiUary binary data sets were stored in the format native to the specific operating
system. This required several data conversion steps when data sets were transferred to different
systems. For the PC and Mac ports, we converted these system-specific data sets to use either
FITS or ASCII format. The IUEDAC programs which read these files can now handle any system
differences.
Many IUEDAC routines spawn to system commands to perform such actions as displaying
directory listings, copying files, displaying text, etc. These system commands vary between plat-
forms and for the most part are not available at all on the Mac. To handle these differences, a
program was written called Platform which contains all the system specific commands used by the
IUEDAC software. Platform calls a series of subroutines (one for each supported system) to obtain
the system specific commands, and the IUEDAC programs were then modified to call Platform. If
a system doesn't offer a particular command, the program returns a value of 'NA' which can be
used by the procedure to branch to other commands. This simplifies the coding of new IUEDAC
routines and should simplify the porting of the software to new systems.
The DOS operating system which runs under Windows 3.1 restricts file names to be less than
or equal to 8 characters. Since the standard naming convention used by the IUEDAC for IUESIPS
files typically required up to 11 characters, the IUBDAC routines had to be modified to allow input
file names with nonstandard names. The disadvantage however is that users must rename files
to make them unique; otherwise files for double-aperture spectra or for lbl and melo files may be
accidently overwritten. It is hoped that the Windows 95 version of IDL will correct this limitation.
Since DOS also limits file extensions to 3 letters, programs which accept NEWSIPS files as input
were modified to allow either 3-character, or the standard 4-character, extensions.
Because the Mac operating system does not allow spawning to system calls as is possible on
other systems, three IUEDAC routines were written to emulate some of the more commonly used
system commands. The program SHOWTXT allows ASCII files to be displayed, COPUF allows
formatted and unformatted files to be copied, and DIKUIST allows directory displays. Since these
programs tend to run slower than the corresponding system commands, the IUEDAC programs
only execute these routines if the system calls are not allowed.
3 Hardware and Software Restrictions
Several bugs have been discovered in the various releases of IDL for Macs and IDL for Windows.
(A list of these problems is stored in a separate document described below.) For the purpose of
this project, our software conversion is based on IDL version 4.0.1. Users with earlier versions
are urged to upgrade before running our software. Unfortunately, several bugs (in our opinion)
still exist in the latest release of IDL which significantly impact the operation of some IUEDAC
routines. Hopefully, KSI will continue to improve IDL in the future and the existing problems will
be corrected.
Our Macintosh conversion was based on a PowerMac model 7100/66. Any of the PowerMac
series computers should be adequate. EarLier models may also be compatible although running
IDL requires a math coprocessor and execution times may be slower. The PC conversion was
performed on a pentium-based Compac Deskpro XL 560 running Microsoft Windows release 3.11
and the Win32s 32-bit subsystem version 1.25. As with Macintosh computers, earlier models may
be compatible but execution times will be slower. Further information on compatibility can be
obtained from RSI.
Note that we have not tested our software under Windows 95, Windows NT, or the Linux
operating system. If there is sufficient interest in these other platforms a follow-up ADP proposal
could be submitted to support these systems as well.
Several minor hardware differences were also found among personal computers supporting Mi-
crosoft windows. For example, some PCs include a 3-button mouse while others have a 2-button
mouse. The latest version of IDL supposedly allows a 2-button mouse to emulate a 3-button mouse
although this capability may vary with the mouse driver being used.
3.1 Requesting Archive Data
Because of problems submitting mail from within an IDL session, and because most PCs do not
leave FTP servers active, we did not find an easy way to modify the IUE archive request routine
IUEFX to submit and receive archive data from NSSDC, as is currently possible from VMS and
Unix systems. As an alternative, IUEFX was modified so that data requested by Mac and PC
users is automatically written to the NDADS staging area. The user can then ftp the files to his
computer.
4 Support and Distribution
The MAC and PC software, database files, and the documentation described below, were officially
delivered to the IUEDAC where it is expected to be supported at the same level as the software for
other platforms. The availability of the new software will be advertised in the IUEDAC electronic
newsletter. It has also been described in a general poster paper presented at the recent San Antonio
AAS meeting titled, " The International Ultraviolet Explorer Data Analysis Center".
Although the MAC and PC software was distributed for beta testing, there was little if any
feedback from the users. Although testing was performed by the developers, it is doubtful that
every module was exercised and therefore some errors may still exist. It is expected that problems
reported to the 1-UEDAC staff will be corrected as soon as possible.
To simplify distribution, the Mac and PC procedure libraries are stored in compressed_ self-
extracting files located in an anonymous ftp account (along with the other IUEDAC software) on
the node IUEWWW. No other programs are needed to extract the software. The Mac software
is stored in a self-extracting archive file in ASCII format created using Compact Pro. The files
are extracted by double-clicking on the archive file. This will also recreate the IUEDAC directory
structure within the user-specified folder. The database files are stored in separate files using a
similar format. The PC software is stored in self-extracting Zip files (created using WinZip) which
can be unzipped by either double-clicking on the file from the File Manager, or clicking on Run
from the Program Manager. The user will be prompted for the directory name in which to unzip
the files. The database files are stored in the same way. InstaLlation instructions are included with
both sets of files.
5 Documentation
The following documents have been prepared to assist users in installing and executing the Mac and
PC versions of the IUEDAC software. Documentation on individual routines is stored within the
prolog of the individual routine and can be displayed using a routine called Prolog. In general the
IUEDAC Users Guide, which describes the majority of IUEDAC programs, applies equally to all
platforms. A future version however will add comments about program-specific differences between
platforms (such as described earlier in IUEFX).
pcreport.tex This document stored as a LaTex file.
pcmac.txt Listing of problems encountered in the conversion of software to the PC and Mac. Also
includes IDL bugs discovered in various releases.
readme.win Description of the self-extracting Zip files available for Microsoft Windows 3.1 plat-
forms, and who to contact with questions.
install.wln Installation instructions for Windows 3.1 platforms.
readme.mac Description of the self-extracting archive files available for Macintosh personal com-
puters.
install.mac Installation instructions for Macintosh platforms.
6 Conclusion
The IUEDAC software is now available for Macs and PCs running Windows 3.1. The software
and several optional database files are available free of charge via the anonymous ftp account on
iuewww.gsfc.nasa.gov. All files are self-extracting and do not require any additional software other
than IDL to run, except possibly for software to allow local printing of postscript files. It is expected
that this software will be supported in the future by the IUEDAC.
Users familiar with VMS and Unix IDL may require some time getting use to the PC and Mac
environments. In general, we found the Mac and PC versions of IDL to be contain more bugs than
versions running on other platforms, although we expect these will be fixed in future releases of
IDL from RSI. In any event, we find that the speed of the PowerMacs and Pentinm PCs allow
IUEDAC routines to run as fast if not faster than many of the current workstations, and in many
cases, at a fraction of the cost.
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April 1996 Contractor Report
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. FUNDING NUMBERS
IUE Data Analysis Software for Personal Computers (Final Report)
6. AUTHOR(S)
R. Thompson, J. Caplinger, L. Taylor, and E Lawton
7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS (ES)
Computer Sciences Corporation
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Lanham-Seabrook, MD 20706
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National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC 20546-0001
NAS5-32629
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CAN 4121
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CR-203903
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13. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)
12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE
This report summarizes the work performed for the program titled, "IUE Data Analysis Software for
Personal Computers" awarded under Astrophysics Data Program NRA 92-OSSA-15. The work per-
formed was completed over a 2-year period starting in April 1994. As a result of the project, 450 IDL
routines and eight database tables are now available for distribution for Power Macintosh computers
and Personal Computers running Windows 3.1.
14. SUBJECT TERMS
International Ultraviolet Exporer (IUE), IUEDAC, software, IDL
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Unclassified
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