The Graphics Database File

The location of the graphics database file can be controlled by setting the environment variable AGI_USER to the desired location. If AGI_USER is undefined, the database file is placed in your home directory. Thus by default the file is $HOME/agi_$<$ node$>$ .sdf, where you substitute your computer's node name for $<$ node$>$ , e.g. /home/dro/agi_rlsaxp.sdf. A new database is created when you run a graphics application if none exists. AGI will purge the database for a device if the graph window has changed size, or if you switch between portrait and landscape formats for a printer device.

The contents of the graphics database are ephemeral. Therefore you should regularly purge the database entries with GDCLEAR or delete the database file.

If a graphics application is aborted abnormally (for instance by pressing CTRL/C), the graphics database may be corrupted, potentially resulting in various forms of peculiar behaviour when subsequent graphics applications are run. If you get `strange' behaviour when running a graphics application, deleting the graphics database file and starting again will often cure the problem.