CLEA SoftwareCLEA SoftwareA Technical OverviewA Technical Overview

CLEA Summer WorkshopCLEA Summer Workshop

June 21, 2010June 21, 2010

Glenn A. Snyder, Project CLEA

OutlineOutline

I.I. Programming LanguageProgramming Language

II.II. Program StructureProgram Structure

III.III. Software InstallationSoftware Installation

IV.IV. Windows 7 & VistaWindows 7 & Vista

V.V. … … & Macs& Macs

I. Programming LanguageI. Programming Language(Software Development Environment)(Software Development Environment)

““Old” CLEA SoftwareOld” CLEA Software

Borland Pascal With Objects (V. 7.0)Borland Pascal With Objects (V. 7.0)

16-Bit Code (Windows 3.1) – but still runs on 16-Bit Code (Windows 3.1) – but still runs on current versions (Win2000, Win XP, 32-bit current versions (Win2000, Win XP, 32-bit Win7/Vista ).Win7/Vista ).

Environment not totally “integrated” - much left to Environment not totally “integrated” - much left to programmer.programmer.

Programmer makes direct calls to Windows API. Programmer makes direct calls to Windows API.

No longer loaded on development machine. Code No longer loaded on development machine. Code changes to modules “highly unlikely”. changes to modules “highly unlikely”.

““Old” CLEA ModulesOld” CLEA Modules (“The Revolution of the Moons of Jupiter”)(“The Revolution of the Moons of Jupiter”)

““The Rotation of Mercury Using Doppler Radar”The Rotation of Mercury Using Doppler Radar”

““The Flow of Energy Out of The Sun”The Flow of Energy Out of The Sun”

““The Classification of Stellar Spectra”The Classification of Stellar Spectra”

““Photoelectric Photometry of The Pleiades”Photoelectric Photometry of The Pleiades”

““The Hubble Redshift – Distance Relation”The Hubble Redshift – Distance Relation”

““The Large-Scale Structure of The Universe”The Large-Scale Structure of The Universe”

““New” CLEA SoftwareNew” CLEA Software Borland Delphi 2007 – (Pascal based, expanded Borland Delphi 2007 – (Pascal based, expanded

Object features)Object features)

32-Bit Code (All versions from Win 95 on)32-Bit Code (All versions from Win 95 on) - Programs (.exe) are larger but load, run faster.- Programs (.exe) are larger but load, run faster.

Highly integrated environment. Programmer Highly integrated environment. Programmer moves quickly and easily between form and code.moves quickly and easily between form and code.

Windows API is “hidden” from programmer.Windows API is “hidden” from programmer.

Forms and Controls look better!Forms and Controls look better!

““New” CLEA ModulesNew” CLEA Modules ““Radio Astronomy of Pulsars”Radio Astronomy of Pulsars”

““Astrometry of Asteroids” Astrometry of Asteroids”

“ “Astrometry Toolkit”Astrometry Toolkit”

““VIREO” (Multiple exercises)VIREO” (Multiple exercises)

““The Search for Object-X”The Search for Object-X”

““The Period of Rotation of The Sun”The Period of Rotation of The Sun”

““Transits of Venus and Mercury”Transits of Venus and Mercury”

““Dying Stars and The Birth of The Elements”Dying Stars and The Birth of The Elements”

““The Revolution of the Moons of Jupiter” (V. 2)The Revolution of the Moons of Jupiter” (V. 2)

The VIRtual Educational ObservatoryThe VIRtual Educational Observatory(VIREO)(VIREO)

New Exercises:New Exercises: “HR Diagrams of Open Clusters” “HR Diagrams of Open Clusters” “Photometry of Variable Stars” (Under development.) “Photometry of Variable Stars” (Under development.)

Replacement of 16-bit modules:Replacement of 16-bit modules: “The Classification of Stellar Spectra”“The Classification of Stellar Spectra” “Photoelectric Photometry of Open Clusters” “Photoelectric Photometry of Open Clusters” “The Hubble Redshift – Distance Relation” “The Hubble Redshift – Distance Relation” “The Large-Scale Structure of The Universe” “The Large-Scale Structure of The Universe” (“Radio Astronomy of Pulsars”) (“Radio Astronomy of Pulsars”)

Identification of objects & other data completed.Identification of objects & other data completed.

A general guide is completed. Some Student Guides to A general guide is completed. Some Student Guides to specific exercises are available. Work in this area is specific exercises are available. Work in this area is welcomed & encouraged.welcomed & encouraged.

II. Program StructureII. Program Structure

Target EnvironmentTarget Environment

Dedicated “laboratory” setting, with instructor Dedicated “laboratory” setting, with instructor present.present.

Programs loaded on individual computers.Programs loaded on individual computers.

Students have full use of computers, including Students have full use of computers, including hard drive write privileges.hard drive write privileges.

Program distribution to instructors & IT Program distribution to instructors & IT technicians via Web (FTP). technicians via Web (FTP).

Not TargetedNot Targeted

Web-based execution.Web-based execution.

Use in a write-restricted environment Use in a write-restricted environment (network/shared drive or highly restricted (network/shared drive or highly restricted computer).computer).

““Unsupervised” access & use by students.Unsupervised” access & use by students.

Run-Time FilesRun-Time Files ““Options” FileOptions” File

““Log” FileLog” File

Data passed between activities.Data passed between activities.

Data for external analysis (spreadsheets).Data for external analysis (spreadsheets).

Partial results - some re-start capability.Partial results - some re-start capability.

Final results – possible off-line combination Final results – possible off-line combination with others.with others.

Program OptionsProgram Options All CLEA programs have options (properties). All CLEA programs have options (properties).

Access is restricted.Access is restricted.Log on as “instructor”.Log on as “instructor”.Password is “CLEA”.Password is “CLEA”.

Documented in Software User’s Guide (old Documented in Software User’s Guide (old modules) & popup “hints” (new modules).modules) & popup “hints” (new modules).

Check out “Test” and “Edit” modes in new Check out “Test” and “Edit” modes in new modules.modules.

VIREO will require more interaction with VIREO will require more interaction with Options.Options.

III. Software InstallationIII. Software Installation

Installation - IInstallation - I Self-Installing Executables (“Self-Installing Executables (“InstallShield”)InstallShield”)

““General User’s Guide…General User’s Guide…” no longer applies. See ” no longer applies. See ““Quick-Start GuideQuick-Start Guide” (link on home page).” (link on home page).

Also “Also “UserGuide2.docUserGuide2.doc” on CD-ROM. (Draft form, ” on CD-ROM. (Draft form, but lots of good information.)but lots of good information.)

If possible, install in default folder (C:\Program If possible, install in default folder (C:\Program Files\CLEA\Files\CLEA\Exercise NameExercise Name\).\).

Otherwise, keep path as short as possible. (“Old” Otherwise, keep path as short as possible. (“Old” programs have 72 character limit on path length.)programs have 72 character limit on path length.)

Installation – IIInstallation – II For installation on network or shared drive, For installation on network or shared drive,

read “read “Shared_Install.doc” Shared_Install.doc” on installation on installation disk.disk.

To placate nervous IT administrators, see To placate nervous IT administrators, see ““License.rtfLicense.rtf” on same disk.” on same disk.

Installation under Win 7/Vista – see next Installation under Win 7/Vista – see next section.section.

For other installation or run-time problems, For other installation or run-time problems, send me an e-mail providing as much info send me an e-mail providing as much info as possible. (as possible. (gsnyder@gettysburg.edu))

IV. CLEA & Win 7/VistaIV. CLEA & Win 7/Vista

Important(!)Important(!)

Instructors need to be aware of possible Instructors need to be aware of possible Win 7/Vista problems (and be prepared to Win 7/Vista problems (and be prepared to address them) when assigning CLEA address them) when assigning CLEA exercises as outside assignments or exercises as outside assignments or preparing “distance learning” programs.preparing “distance learning” programs.

Major Win 7/Vista Problem Major Win 7/Vista Problem AreasAreas

User told privileges are insufficient to User told privileges are insufficient to install CLEA software.install CLEA software.

After installation, not all CLEA software After installation, not all CLEA software can be run.can be run.

Both addressed in write-up on Both addressed in write-up on PROJECT CLEA HOME PAGE

Installation PrivilegesInstallation Privileges

User usually has them.User usually has them.

Unlike XP, must be specifically invoked Unlike XP, must be specifically invoked when installation run under Win7/Vista.when installation run under Win7/Vista.

Procedure is outlined in write-up.Procedure is outlined in write-up.

Runtime Problem - VersionsRuntime Problem - Versions

Windows versions called “Ultimate” are 64-bit Windows versions called “Ultimate” are 64-bit code.code.

All other versions (at this time) are 32-bit code.All other versions (at this time) are 32-bit code.

64-bit “Ultimate” will NOT run 16-bit applications 64-bit “Ultimate” will NOT run 16-bit applications (i.e., all “Old” CLEA modules identified earlier).(i.e., all “Old” CLEA modules identified earlier).

11stst serious Windows compatibility issue in 18 serious Windows compatibility issue in 18 years of CLEA. years of CLEA.

Best SolutionsBest Solutions

Use 32-bit Win 7 / Vista.Use 32-bit Win 7 / Vista.

Use a virtualization product.Use a virtualization product.

Use VIREO in place of 16-bit CLEA Use VIREO in place of 16-bit CLEA modules.modules.

Details also in write-up.Details also in write-up.

V. CLEA & MacsV. CLEA & Macs

Why No MAC Versions?Why No MAC Versions?Developing for a 2Developing for a 2ndnd platform would have platform would have

required a 2required a 2ndnd full-time programmer over full-time programmer over the length of the project (~18 years).the length of the project (~18 years).

Our grants have never included anything Our grants have never included anything close to the funds needed for this.close to the funds needed for this.

We tried offering fixed-fee contracts to We tried offering fixed-fee contracts to consultants – yield was 1 ½ programs.consultants – yield was 1 ½ programs.

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

18 yrs ago Mac was not a development-18 yrs ago Mac was not a development-friendly environment. (Intentional!)friendly environment. (Intentional!)

Windows API gave us more flexibility.Windows API gave us more flexibility.At one point Mac nearly went out of At one point Mac nearly went out of

business.business.Mac operating system versions have Mac operating system versions have

mostly not been backward-compatible. mostly not been backward-compatible. Applications must be re-coded.Applications must be re-coded.

SolutionsSolutions

Run a Windows emulator such as Run a Windows emulator such as Parallels on Mac.Parallels on Mac.

Run a Windows emulator under Linux.Run a Windows emulator under Linux. ““Wine” is freeware. Will run all “new” (32-bit) Wine” is freeware. Will run all “new” (32-bit)

CLEA modules.CLEA modules.