Campbell Scientific PC208 Datalogger Support Software - Manual (Page 102)

SECTION 8. SMCREAD CARD READING SOFTWARE
8-4
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A deleted program file, which is an area of
the card which was previously used by a
program but which is now unused because
a program with the same number has been
loaded again.
In addition, the program and deleted programs
may be shown as being hidden if the program is
stored next to, or within, a data file without
filemarks at the beginning and end of the
program. Where the program is stored in the
middle of a data file (a rare event) the start and
end of the data file will encompass both the
program and data, but the file size will be the
length of the data alone.
Once you start this option the speed of
operation will depend on the size of files stored
in the card. The screen will scroll up when the
listing reaches the bottom of the screen. You
can pause the scanning of the card by pressing
any key.
ESC will quit out of the S option
altogether.
8.2.11 Q — QUIT
Q quits SMCRead and returns to DOS.
8.3 FILE NAME CONVENTIONS
For all options where SMCRead asks you for a
file name, if you enter a file name that contains ‘
* ’ or a ‘ ? ’ wildcard character a list of files of
that specification is displayed on the screen.
You are then prompted to enter the file name
again.
You can abort an option at this point by not
entering any name and pressing the
ESC key.
If you have already entered a file name, before
running an option, SMCRead prompts you with
the same name again. Pressing the
ENTER key
at this stage accepts the previously entered
name. To enter a different name, type out the
new name in full and press
ENTER .
SMCRead assumes a .DLD extension for
program files and a .DAT extension for data
files, unless you enter an alternative extension
or specify no extension by terminating the file
name with a ‘.’
For options where only one file can be read
from, or stored in the card, e.g. the name of a
program to be stored in the card, SMCRead
asks you for a specific file name, where the
prefix can be up to eight characters long.
Where the option can generate several files on
disk, e.g. options A or P, SMCRead asks for a
‘root’ file name. You should enter a name that
has six characters or less. SMCRead then
appends a number to the name, which is
incremented with each file read. Where the file
name is six characters long the numbers 01 to
99 are appended to the name. Shorter names
have a three-digit number appended, i.e.
001..999.
When you first specify the root file name,
SMCRead scans the disk for files with the same
root name. If none are found, SMCRead starts
numbering the files at 1, e.g. ROOT001.DAT. If
files with the same root name exist, new files
are numbered sequentially starting with the first
number that does not exist on the disk, e.g. if
ROOT001.DAT and ROOT002.DAT already
exist, the first new file will be called
ROOT003.DAT.
If you specify a file that already exists on disk
you are asked if you wish to overwrite the file. If
you reply ‘N’ or ‘No’, the option aborts and
returns to the options menu.
8.4 DATA FILE FORMAT OPTIONS
Once you have specified a file name for a data
collection option you are asked which format
you want to use for storing the data on disk.
The following message is shown:
File Formats:
D -- Printable ASCII arrays with IDs
C -- Comma separated ASCII arrays
A -- As stored (8 bit data)
Esc -- Escape
Format:
8.4.1 D — PRINTABLE ASCII DATA WITH IDS
This is the format that is most readable when
printed. Each data value is preceded by an
identifier (see example in the PC208 manual).
This format occupies the most disk space on
the computer, and can be difficult to read into
some other analysis packages. The format is
ambiguous for arrays of 100 or more points; it is
therefore not recommended for purposes other
than printing.