The PIA File Selection Window

The File Selection Window in principle acts as a preselector for file type and detector. We preserve this I/F feature although recommending to the users the use of the PIA Files Control Window, which gives a more advanced way of accessing files.

It is called from several places within PIA, e.g. when applying "Read External Fits Files" or "Read PIA Internal Files" from the submenu "Files" in the PIA Top Window. The actual File Selection for reading is then done in the subsequent Please Select a File for Reading Window.

There are several variants of the File Selection Window, all being very similar to each other.

This chapter describes as an example in detail the External File Selection Window of PIA and its pull-down items shown in Figure 1 as well as the associated Please Select a File for Reading Window shown in Figure 2.


FIGURE 1: The PIA External File Selection Window


File

This pull-down item offers the following options:

Select File

This brings up the Please Select a File for Reading Window.

Note that file type and detector have to be chosen explicitly (click directly with the mouse on it) before a file is being selected.

Read File

This reads the selected file into the buffer.

Note that a file has explicitly to be chosen before reading is started. (It is shown in the display field "Selected File")

Quit

This leaves the File Selection Window.


View

This pull-down item offers the following options:

View Header

This displays the header of the selected file, immediately after selection.


Help

This calls the present page of the PIA User Manual.


Selected File:

This display field contains the name of the last selected file.


Select Filetype:

This selection box offers the various Filetypes.

Note that the file type has to be chosen explicitly.


Select Detector:

This selection box offers the various Detectors.


The Please Select a File for Reading Window

It is called from several places within PIA, e.g. when applying "Select File" from the PIA File Selection Window or "Load Several" Files under "Read External Fits Files" or "Read PIA Internal Files" from the submenu "Files" in the PIA Top Window.

There are several variants of the PIA Plase Select a File for Reading Window, all being very similar to each other. The basic difference is between the following cases:

  1. Single Mode: Select one single file (without start to read it)
  2. Multiple Mode: Select several files at once and at the end automatically start to read them

This chapter describes in detail the PIA Plase Select a File for Reading Window and its related items. The layout is shown for case 2 in Figure 2.


FIGURE 2: The PIA Please Select a File for Reading Window (Multiple Mode: The box labeled "Selection:" exhibits several rows. For Single Mode it would show only one row).


Path:

This input field displays the actual pathname. To change the path, better use the selection menu subdirectories, instead of typing it into the path field.


Filter:

This input field displays the actual filter. It may be modified by typing in.


Subdirectories:

This selection box offers the subdirectories. To change into one, click on it with the mouse.


Files:

This selection box offers the Files. To select one, click on it with the mouse. For Multiple Mode this can done several times collecting the selected files.


Selection:

This field displays the name(s) of the selected file(s).


OK:

This confirms the selection and closes the window.

Note:


Cancel:

This exits the window without selecting or reading a file.


Help:

This calls the present page of the PIA User Manual.


Chapter history:

Date Author Description
16/05/1996 Martin Haas (MPIA) First Version
07/03/1997 Carlos Gabriel (ESA/SAI) Update