Browser Improvements

CASA Modification Request 18C108, November 2007

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1. Introduction

A good browser is needed in order to look at any table in casa. It is not meant as a data dump, but more useful for seeing table structures. The casa browser, browsetable, is not broken and has (I think) java interface problems with Mac systems. A new browser casabrowser outside of casa (initiated by <!casabrowser &> in casa) appears to work well. Some improvements are suggested.

2. Background

3. Requirements

A good browser than can quickly inspect part of a table.

4. Design

Improvements for casabrowser.

1. The listing of the time coordinate for an ms is reasonable (yyyy-mm-dd-HH:MM:SS), but for other tables the time is given in the natural units of 10^9 and has not enough precision.

2. Some of the gui buttons are useful, but need work: File--save appears to do nothing. What would this save? Edit function looks interesting, but no instructions are available. View functions work reasonably well. Export function only gives VO style of table. The default directory should be the one that casa is in, not the home directory. Export needs an ascii style output. Plot function may have some potential, but it needs a lot of work.

The basic philosophy should be. If the button is on the gui, it should do something useful, or at least indicate that it is not functional. Perhaps this tool is really only for developers who can use its potential.

5. Deployment Checklist

6. Test Plan

6.1 Internal Testing

6.2 Sponsor Testing

6.3 Integration/Regression Tests

6.4 Testing for Scientific Validity

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Signatures

APPROVED: I acknowledge that my request is fully contained in this MR, and if the CASA development group delivers exactly what I specified, I will be happy.

ACCEPTED: I acknowledge that I have validated the completed code according to the acceptance tests, and I am happy with the results.

Written	- - - - -
Checked	- - - - -
Approved by Scientific Sponsor	- - - - -
Accepted/Delivered by Sponsor	- - - - -

Symbols:

• Use %X% if MR is not complete (will display )
• Use %Y% if MR iscomplete (will display )

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Discussion Area

-- NicoleRadziwill - 30 Oct 2007

-- EdFomalont - 06 Nov 2007

-- EdFomalont - 07 Nov 2007