XMM-Newton Science Analysis System


preferences (preferences-0.8) [xmmsas_20230412_1735-21.0.0]

Usage

A task that possesses preference parameters reads those from a global preference file sas.pref in the SAS configuration area. Parameters are treated fully optional by the task, hence, if a parameter is not found, e.g. because the preference file does not exist, a hardcoded default value will be used.

For a first-time SAS user the preference file does not exist yet but has to be created by running the task sasprefgen without any arguments on the command line. This will scan the SAS task packet directory structure along the SAS_PATH+SAS_DIR path and compile the global file from individual preference files in the respective task packages.

Unlike ordinary task parameters preference parameters cannot be specified on the command line. Their values are always read from the user-specific preference file. Any modifications to this file, like adding, removing, re-grouping, or changing the values of individual entries will be done by a TBD editor task. It is foreseen that all interactive GUI tasks will comprise the editor as an integral part.