Variations

1. DX includes `Data Prompter', a windows-based application for interactively creating the header file for a data set. However, often it is no easier to use than creating the header file with an editor. Section 4.4 Data Prompter, of the QuickStart Guide[1] gives details.

2. Unformatted binary files can also be imported using the same header file mechanism. The format keyword should be set to `binary'. Binary files written with a C program can be imported directly. However, unfortunately, binary files written with a Fortran program contain record-control bytes which must be removed prior to importing the file. The Starlink extensions to DX include SXUnfort for this purpose; see SUN/203[11] for details. Of course, an unformatted file written on a Digital alpha will differ from the corresponding file written on a Sun because of the different byte order of the machines. It is possible to input an unformatted file written on a Sun into DX running on a Digital alpha, or vice versa, by using the `msb' and `lsb' modifiers to the format keyword⁴. See Section 4.3 Header File Syntax: Keyword Statements of the IBM QuickStart Guide[1] for details.

3. It is also possible to import files in the Starlink NDF format (and other common astronomical formats, such as FITS images or Figaro DST files). Again see SUN/203[11] for details.

Figure: Program field.f to write gridded data.