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When using PIL, what is the meaning of the letters in the IRAF parameter files ? [ SOFT-004 : 2000-AUG-28 ]
According to the PIL User Manual, every line of an IRAF parameter file describes a single parameter in the format:

parameter_name, parameter_type, parameter_mode, default_value, minimum_value, maximum_value, description_prompt

The parameter_type can be ``b'' (boolean), ``i'' (integer), ``r'' (real), ``s'' (string) or ``f'' (filename). The ``f'' type can be followed by any combination of ``r'' (read access), ``w'' (write access), ``e'' (existence of file) ``n'' (absence of file). Thus, the ``fw'' type means to test whether the file given as a value of the parameter is writable.

The parameter_mode can be ``a'' (auto), ``h'' (hidden), ``q'' (query), ``hl'' (hidden+learn), ``ql'' (query+learn). With the ``a'' mode, the effective mode is set to the value of the parameter named as ``mode'' in the parameter file. If the ``mode'' parameter is not found, the effective mode is set to ``h''. With the ``h'' mode, no questions are asked, unless the default value is invalid for a given data type, whereas with the ``q'' mode you are always asked for a parameter. With the additional ``l'' mode, if an application changes a parameter value, the new value will be written to the parameter file when the application terminates.
Created on 2000-AUG-28. Answered by Marc Türler

Complementary information can be found in the ISDC Glossary and in OSA Known Issues.
Please send unanswered questions to the INTEGRAL Helpdesk.
To add or update an FAQ entry, please contact Marc Türler.

Last modified: Jun 2, 2009
Current date: 2010 Feb 09, 21:42
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