CATCDSIN

Convert a CDS ReadMe file into a CURSA STL description file

Description:

This application converts a CDS ReadMe file into a CURSA STL description file.

The text versions of catalogues obtained from the CDS are usually accompanied by a description file which documents their contents. This description file is usually called ReadMe and contains a description in a standard form. catcdsin interprets the contents of a CDS ReadMe file and uses them to construct a CURSA STL description file for the catalogue. catcdsin does not alter the catalogue data file itself: both the ReadMe file and the STL description file constructed from it refer to the same catalogue file.

CDS ReadMe files can (and often do) contain descriptions of more than one catalogue (usually these will be closely related catalogues or tables; perhaps a main catalogue and a table of notes). catcdsin creates a separate STL description file for every catalogue found in the ReadMe file.

The names of the catalogue files are included in the ReadMe file and STL description file names are constructed from them; the user cannot specify the description file names. However, there are several options which can be specified. By default catcdsin reads a file called ReadMe, though a different name can be given. By default catcdsin attempts to interpret columns of angles in the ReadMe file and construct valid STL angular column descriptions from them, though this behaviour can be suppressed. Optionally, parameters specifying the equinox and epoch of the coordinates can be added to the STL description files.

Usage:

catcdsin

Parameters:

INFILE = CHARACTER (read)
The name of the CDS ReadMe (or description) file which is to be processed (default = ReadMe).
ANGLES = CHARACTER (read)
Determines whether STL angular column descriptions (which CURSA can interpret) are to be constructed from angular columns in the CDS description. Typically the latter will comprise separate columns for the sexagesimal hours, degrees, minutes and seconds. The options are: Y - yes; construct STL angular column descriptions (default), N - no; copy the columns unaltered from the CDS ReadMe file.
EQUINOX = CHARACTER (read)
Equinox of the catalogue coordinates. If specified, an EQUINOX parameter with the given value is written to the STL description. If omitted no EQUINOX parameter is written.
EPOCH = CHARACTER (read)
Epoch of the catalogue coordinates. If specified, an EPOCH parameter with the given value is written to the STL description. If omitted no EPOCH parameter is written.
TEXT = CHARACTER (read)
Flag indicating whether the entire CDS ReadMe file is to be copied to the STL description as textual information. The valid responses are: A or C - all or comments; copy the ReadMe file (default), N - none; do not copy the ReadMe file.

Examples:

catcdsin
A CDS ReadMe file called ReadMe will be processed. catcdsin will attempt to construct STL angular column descriptions from any columns of angles in the file.
catcdsin infile=cdsdesc.lis
A CDS ReadMe file called cdsdesc.lis will be processed.
catcdsin angles=no
File ReadMe will be processed, but the column descriptions will be copied unaltered, with no attempt to interpret columns of angles.
catcdsin equinox=J2000 epoch=J1995.3
File ReadMe will be processed. Parameters corresponding to the given equinox and epoch will be written to the STL description file. Note that either, both or neither of the equinox and epoch can be specified.
catcdsin text=none
File ReadMe will be processed. However, the ReadMe file will not be copied to the STL description as textual information.