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Variable-length random-access file package

help libraries are standard Fortran direct-access files, which have a fixed record length, on which the system implements a variable-length record scheme. The following routines manage these files. They communicate in part through labelled COMMON.

SUBROUTINE HLP_HCLOSE(JSTAT)

HLP_HCLOSE closes the current help library. JSTAT is the status return.

SUBROUTINE HLP_HDREAD(IADR,STRING,NC,JSTAT)

HLP_HDREAD performs a direct-access read from the current help library. IADR is the character address from which the read is to begin. STRING is the record that is found there, and NC its length. JSTAT is the status.

SUBROUTINE HLP_HDWRIT(STRING,IADR,JSTAT)

HLP_HDWRIT performs a direct-access write to the current help library. IADR is the character address from which the write is to begin. STRING is the record to be written. JSTAT is the status.

SUBROUTINE HLP_HINIT(LU,FNAME,EOS)

HLP_HINIT initializes the HLP system labelled COMMON blocks. LU is the I/O unit number to be used for accessing the help library file. FNAME is the initial help library name. EOS is the special character that will signify end-of-string, conventionally CHAR(0).

SUBROUTINE HLP_HOPENR(NAMETR,JSTAT)

HLP_HOPENR opens or re-opens the current help library for reading, with the assistance of the library name to filename translation routine NAMETR. JSTAT is the status.

SUBROUTINE HLP_HOPENW(NAMETR,NCHARS,JSTAT)

HLP_HOPENW opens the current help library for writing, with the assistance of the library name to filename translation routine NAMETR. NCHARS is the length of the file, which must be known before the call. JSTAT is the status.



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HLP --- Interactive Help System
Starlink User Note 124
P. T. Wallace
13th June 1995
E-mail:ptw@star.rl.ac.uk