AIPS NRAO AIPS HELP file for MODIFY in 31DEC24



As of Fri Mar 29 3:32:08 2024


MODIFY: Pseudoverb to edit characters in a line of a proc

INPUTS


          No adverbs:  grammar is
               MODIFY    
          and codes are
               space   :  keep old character
               $       :  delete old character
               @       :  replace with blank
               _       :  (underscore) start or end insertion
               other   :  replace old character with typed one

HELP SECTION

MODIFY
Type:  Pseudoverb     (ONLY command in a line)
Use:   Allows user to modify characters within a line of an AIPS
       procedure to correct the line or change its meaning.
       The grammar is:

                MODIFY    

       where  is the procedure name and 
       is the line number in the procedure as shown by LIST.

      MODIFY first shows the existing line prefixed by ?
Then it prompts for input with a ?  To keep the character
of the original line immediately above the cursor, type a
blank (space-bar).  To delete it, type a $ (dollar-sign).
To replace it, type the new character (to get a new blank
character type an @ sign).  To insert text prior to the
character immediately above the cursor, type an _ then the
desired text followed by an _.  You may continue to MODIFY
the rest of the line, but remember that the current character
position in the old line is now to the left of the current
cursor position by the number of inserted characters (plus
the 2 _'s).  MODIFY displays the edited line after you hit
a carriage return, and does not change the line number.
The EXPLAIN file for MODIFY gives an example of its use.

EXPLAIN SECTION

MODIFY:  Pseudoverb to edit lines in AIPS procedures
DOCUMENTOR:  Alan Bridle (NRAO-Charlottesville)
RELATED PROGRAMS:  PROC, LIST

                          PURPOSE

     MODIFY provides a rudimentary editor for lines in AIPS
procedures.  The writing and editing of long (>10 lines)
procedures using the AIPS editor will be appreciated by users
who also enjoy eating cold toads for breakfast on the grounds
that everything else in the day will be an improvement.  Long
procedures are best edited in text files at monitor level in the
computer, where there are good editing facilities.  Such files
may then be transferred to AIPS using the RUN file facility.

                         COMMENTS

      Here is an example of the use of MODIFY:

      To modify line 2 in an AIPS procedure called ED:
           >MODIFY  ED  2

      The computer replies with:
           ?TYPE 'THIS IS EDS PROC'
           ?

      You now type:
                          MY@_NEW_     @FOR@EXAMPLE'

      so that the terminal reads:
           ?TYPE 'THIS IS EDS PROC'
           ?              MY@_NEW_     @FOR@EXAMPLE'

      followed by a carriage return, and the computer replies:

           TYPE 'THIS IS MY NEW PROC FOR EXAMPLE'

      showing you the edited line.

      As a second example, type:
           >MODIFY  ED  2

      The computer replies with:
           ?TYPE 'THIS IS MY NEW PROC FOR EXAMPLE'
           ?

      You type:
                             $$$$    _EDURE,_

      so that the terminal reads:
           ?TYPE 'THIS IS MY NEW PROC FOR EXAMPLE'
           ?                 $$$$    _EDURE,_

      followed by a carriage return, and the computer replies:

           TYPE 'THIS IS MY PROCEDURE, FOR EXAMPLE'

      Enjoy your toad.

AIPS