Component libraries

[Kristian Nielsen]

> Particularly, I've been adding in all detectors/monitors which produce output 
> files two lines specifying who created the file, and date/time of creation. 

Yes, this sounds like a good idea. The whole issue of output file
formats really need to be addressed, and I am working on a complete
solution.

The long-term goal is to provide data in an intermediate McStas-specific
ASCII format with (optional) automatic translation to the NeXus
format. Our development version already has some of this, and I will add
the information you suggested to our output format. Expect to see
something in the next official release.

My current approach is a bit different though - I do not add information
in comments in the data files themselves. Instead, all data files for a
simulation are stored together in a subdirectory with a special file
(say "mcstas.sim") containing all information about the data. We have a
front-end that will read the information in this file and plot all the
data with correct title and axis labels etc. This is very useful for a
quick overview of the simulation.

The reason for keeping the extra information out of the data files
themselves is to maintain maximum compatibility with other programs.
Almost any program will read straight ASCII colums of numbers, but I am
not sure if there is a universal standard for a comment character
(though the '#' you used is fairly common, I guess). What do you think?

The use of a separate directory for the data files becomes useful when
the simulation uses a lot of data files. For example, some of our recent
simulations generate more than 50 output files!

> And how about having an ftp location were everybody could up/download components 
> and instruments ? For instance, the component Source_flux isn't provided in 
> v1.01 beta, and I'm deeply interested in it. Also, are there  some other types 
> of curved monochromators/analysers ?

Yes, this is also a good idea. I set up a download area for "unofficial
McStas additions" on the web page at

    http://elu-alf-2.risoe.dk/~elu-krni/mcstas/unofficial.html

Initially, I think I will function as an "editor", so that submissions
are sent to me, and I put them on the page with a few comments. But as
the activity of McStas increases, a proper upload area might be useful.

The Source_flux component is on the page. We do not currently have any
new Monochromator components.

 - Kristian.