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Restrictions on the Usage of Data Structures

By default, KAPPA plays safe and will not allow you to use the same data structure as both input and output for a command. This is to minimise the risks of accidentally over-writing valuable data. So, for instance, if you try the following command:

   % cadd in=m31 scalar=10 out=m31

you will find that the value of m31 for parameter OUT is rejected with a message indicating that the data structure is already in use, and you will be prompted for an alternative value.

However, KAPPA does allow you to `live on the edge' if you prefer--if you define the environment variable KAPPA_REPLACE before running a command, then KAPPA will happily over-write the input data structure if requested to do so. You can assign any value you like to this environment variable, since its mere existence is the trigger for this optional behaviour. Note, this facility is only available in those commands which access the input data structures before the output data structures (the vast majority).


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KAPPA --- Kernel Application Package
Starlink User Note 95
Malcolm J. Currie & David S. Berry
2008 September 12
E-mail:ussc@star.rl.ac.uk

Copyright © 2008 Science and Technology Facilities Council