CREOBJ-Create a data object or file

Usage:

creobj type dims object

Description:

This routine creates an HDS object, primitive or structure, scalar or array. In theory it is possible to build up a complete NDF or Figaro DST data file. This is not recommended because the risk of creating an illegal hierarchy of HDS structures - i.e. one not accepted by Kappa, Figaro, etc. - is very high. This routine is intended only for minor repairs to such files, or in emergencies to create a very simple, minimal, data file.

Parameters:

TYPE

The HDS type of the object to be created. Figaro users note that this is something like '_REAL', '_DOUBLE', '_INTEGER', '_WORD' etc. Anything which is not such a primitive HDS type will cause a structure to be created. The type specified here will then be used as that structure's type. ['_REAL']

DIMS

The dimensions of the object to be created, i.e. the size of the array along each axis. The number of positive integers specified indicates the dimensionality of the object created. To create a scalar object enter zero, a single zero will do. [0]

OBJECT

The object to be created. Specify beginning with directory and file name in the syntax of the operating system, followed by the dot-separated structure hierarchy. Elements of structure arrays are specified in ordinary brackets (). An array element cannot be created.

Examples:

 1.  creobj type=NDF dims=0 object=file
    This will create an empty HDS file. The top level structure is
    of type "NDF", which has little consequence.

 2.  creobj type=ARRAY dims=0 object=file.DATA_ARRAY
    This will create the scalar structure DATA_ARRAY in the top
    level structure of the file "file". The structure type is
    "ARRAY", which has special meaning in the Starlink Data Format.

 3.  creobj type=_REAL dims=[20,30] object=file.DATA_ARRAY.DATA
    This will create a two-dimensional array of _REAL numbers
    called DATA and situeated in file.DATA_ARRAY. The size of the
    new array is 20 by 30 numbers.

 4.  creobj type=AXIS dims=2 object=file.AXIS
    This will create a one-dimensional array of AXIS structures
    called AXIS and situated underneath the top level of "file".

Authors:

KS: Keith Shortridge (AAO)

HME: Horst Meyerdierks (UoE, Starlink)