6.0 User's Guides for Individual LAS Modules
6.1 Introduction
This section provides a general overview of the format of the user's
guides for the individual LAS applications modules.
All LAS user's guides are stored on-line. The guide for a particular
module may be accessed during an interactive LAS session by typing
help <modulename> at the LAS74> prompt in command
mode or the ? prompt in menu mode; in tutor mode, the user can
type help *. The only information that will not be presented is
any graphics that an individual user's guide might have.
The user's guides may also be displayed using the Netscape document
viewer by typing lasdoc at the LAS74> prompt within an
interactive LAS session. From the Unix % or $ prompt, the
guides may also be accessed by typing las lasdoc. The user may
then select the guide for a particular module from either an alphabetical or functional listing of available
modules. The functional listing duplicates the hierarchy of the menus
displayed in LAS menu mode. Graphics are included within the user's
guides in this method.
6.2 User's Guide Format
Individual LAS user's guides provide the following information:
- Module name and function
- A general description of the module's function including
references to all subcommands.
- Subcommands (if applicable)
- Where subcommands are used, they are indicated by the word
"Subcommand" followed by a dash (-) and the subcommand name. A
description of the subcommand is also given. Listed below the
subcommand is the sequence of parameters for that subcommand.
- Parameters
- Parameters are listed in bold font, with default values in "()"
next to the parameter names. The parameters are listed in the
same sequence as they appear on the tutor display screen.
- Examples
- At least one example and usually two or three are given for each
module. An example should be available for each subcommand, if
the module has subcommands. The example illustrates and
explains the use of as many of the parameters as the user would
typically use.
- Description/Algorithm
- A functional description of the algorithm used in the module is
given. This includes any formulas and constants used. Also,
references are supplied when appropriate.
- Error Messages
- A list of the all fatal and nonfatal error messages output by
the application module and a brief description of subsequent
user action is given. All error messages in the user's guides
pertain just to the modules and not to TAE, the LAS support
libraries, or the computer's operating system.
- User's Notes
- These indicate or explain any conditions that the user should be
aware of when using the module. They may also provide a list of
related modules.
Last change: 2005 Feb. 25,
R. A. White / raw@essc.psu.edu