HELP Information on Running SolarSoft under Windows

This page assumes that you have already created a SolarSoft installation on
your Windows PC using the form in the SolarSoft web pages - see the URL:
     http://www.lmsal.com/solarsoft/ssw_install_howto.html

Depending on how successful the installation software is working, you may
need to follow some or all of the instructions in the section marked
"Initial Setup".

Although we have attempted to make things as similar as possible, there
are several differences in between running SolarSoft under Unix and
Windows. These relate mainly to when and where IDL is configured to a
particular selection of SolarSoft instruments. Under Unix, most things are
done before, or as you enter IDL - under Windows, everything is done within
IDL. 

All the files that define the environment variables under Unix should work,
however, when you enter SSW IDL under Windows you will only have the
general part of the SolarSoft tree selected (unless you have a idl_startup
routine that selects a particular set of instrument). You then need to
select a set of instruments using setssw_windows. 

This approach has one great advantage over the way things are done under
Unix. At any time you can add another instrument and all the necessary
environment variables are created, all the required startup files
executed, and all the necessary extensions to the path made. Usually under
Unix you must exit IDL and re-enter with a new set of instruments - this
is not needed under Windows.


Initial Setup:

1) Within IDL, select "Preferences" and ensure the startup field is clear.

2) Examine the file  c:\idl_ssw\sswidl.bat  and modify it if necessary. 

  The file should have been created by the web page that generated the 
  installation kit and the first few items will have been set to correspond 
  with your answers.

  i) the environment variables $SSW and $SSWDB (that specify the location
  of the SolarSoft tree and SolarSoft DataBase) should have been set - you
  may need to modify SSWDB.

  ii) the IDL startup file define by the environment variable IDL_STARTUP should
  have been set to:
        xxxx\gen\idl\ssw_system\IDL_STARTUP_WINDOWS.pro
  where xxxx is the root of the SolarSoft tree (the same as $SSW). 
  ONLY MODIFY THIS DEFINITION if the value of xxxx is incorrect.

  iii) A suggested value for SSW_PERSONAL_STARTUP is given as remark. Since 
  location of the "home directory" is tenuous under Windows, and IDL_STARTUP 
  is already used, this environment variable allows a specific startup file 
  to be identified by the user. If you wish to use this facility, remove the 
  "rem" and define the path and name of the startup file to be used.

  Note: any idl_startup.pro file in the directory you have set as your working 
  directory will also be executed. 

  iv) The .bat file will start the latest version of IDL as defined in the 
  Registry. If you wish to use another version of IDL, modify the "start idlde"
  statement to include the path to the version you wish to use. A possible path
  to a version of IDL is given as a remark. 

3) Move the SSWIDL.pif file (this is a shortcut) onto the desktop. 
  If necessary, modify this shortcut if the sswidl.bat file is not located 
  under c:\idl_ssw.


Running SolarSoft:

1) Start SolarSoft using the SSWIDL shortcut - this will execute the 
   sswidl.bat file and start IDL.

   The following files will be executed (if the exist):
        $SSW\gen\setup\setup.ssw_env
        $SSW\site\setup.ssw_paths
        $SSW\site\setup.ssw_env
        $SSW\site\setup\IDL_STARTUP
        any personal idl_startup file
       (if defined by env. var. SSW_PERSONAL_STARTUP, or located in the 
       current dir.)

2) Select the required instruments using setssw_windows,
        e.g.  setssw_windows,/hessi,/xray,/spex

   Mission and instrument level setup files (.xxx_paths and .xxx_env) and 
   startup files will be executed; any site and personal startup files will 
   be repeated.

3) Use SolarSoft as normal. 

   Remember, you can verify the value of !path in your current SolarSoft
   environment using pr_path.



Further information can be found on the Web under URL:
   http://www.lmsal.com/solarsoft

R.D. Bentley, 15 May 2000