Re: an alternate spin

[Steve Scott <scott@ovro.caltech.edu>]

Robert wrote:

> I have two questions to Steve:
> 
> - is the output of the "observing preparation tool" still a script
> procedure that can be read (I mean, has comments)  and can be edited ?

I believe the output of the tool are objects that are stored in an object 
database. Certainly a comment field could be part of the objects, if it is not 
already.

The first demo of this tool that I saw was of a prototype at ADASS `95 in 
Tucson. There is a paper in SPIE 3112, p.246 with more details.

 
> - can  this same interface  also be used  to prepare the
> on-line data reduction (there was not so much about this on the Gemini
> page)?

It doesn't appear that Gemini does this yet. But it is just a reduction object 
that could be included in the definition of an observation block. I agree with 
Stephane that it should be possible to modify this later (perhaps extract it and 
modify).

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Returning to the current use of scripting, the scheduler at OVRO uses:
o Files and defined sections within files to modularize
o Files can call other files and other sections, nesting indefinitely
o Looping and time conditional (LST or UT) execution of the files and sections
o But does not support parameters passed into the files - high on wish list



Regards,
Steve