1. CLEA Software A Technical Overview CLEA Summer Workshop June 21, 2010 Glenn A. Snyder, Project CLEA

2. Outline I. Programming Language II. Program Structure III. Software Installation IV. Windows 7 & Vista V. … & Macs

3. I. Programming Language (Software Development Environment)

4. “Old” CLEA Software Borland Pascal With Objects (V. 7.0) Borland Pascal With Objects (V. 7.0) 16-Bit Code (Windows 3.1) – but still runs on current versions (Win2000, Win XP, 32-bit Win7/Vista ). 16-Bit Code (Windows 3.1) – but still runs on current versions (Win2000, Win XP, 32-bit Win7/Vista ). Environment not totally “integrated” - much left to programmer. Environment not totally “integrated” - much left to programmer. Programmer makes direct calls to Windows API. Programmer makes direct calls to Windows API. No longer loaded on development machine. Code changes to modules “highly unlikely”. No longer loaded on development machine. Code changes to modules “highly unlikely”.

5. “Old” CLEA Modules (“The Revolution of the Moons of Jupiter”) (“The Revolution of the Moons of Jupiter”) “The Rotation of Mercury Using Doppler Radar” “The Rotation of Mercury Using Doppler Radar” “The Flow of Energy Out of The Sun” “The Flow of Energy Out of The Sun” “The Classification of Stellar Spectra” “The Classification of Stellar Spectra” “Photoelectric Photometry of The Pleiades” “Photoelectric Photometry of The Pleiades” “The Hubble Redshift – Distance Relation” “The Hubble Redshift – Distance Relation” “The Large-Scale Structure of The Universe” “The Large-Scale Structure of The Universe”

6. “New” CLEA Software Borland Delphi 2007 – (Pascal based, expanded Object features) Borland Delphi 2007 – (Pascal based, expanded Object features) 32-Bit Code (All versions from Win 95 on) 32-Bit Code (All versions from Win 95 on) - Programs (.exe) are larger but load, run faster. - Programs (.exe) are larger but load, run faster. Highly integrated environment. Programmer moves quickly and easily between form and code. Highly integrated environment. Programmer moves quickly and easily between form and code. Windows API is “hidden” from programmer. Windows API is “hidden” from programmer. Forms and Controls look better! Forms and Controls look better!

7. “New” CLEA Modules “Radio Astronomy of Pulsars” “Radio Astronomy of Pulsars” “Astrometry of Asteroids” “Astrometry of Asteroids” “Astrometry Toolkit” “Astrometry Toolkit” “VIREO” (Multiple exercises) “VIREO” (Multiple exercises) “The Search for Object-X” “The Search for Object-X” “The Period of Rotation of The Sun” “The Period of Rotation of The Sun” “Transits of Venus and Mercury” “Transits of Venus and Mercury” “Dying Stars and The Birth of The Elements” “Dying Stars and The Birth of The Elements” “The Revolution of the Moons of Jupiter” (V. 2) “The Revolution of the Moons of Jupiter” (V. 2)

8. The VIRtual Educational Observatory (VIREO) New Exercises: “HR Diagrams of Open Clusters” “Photometry of Variable Stars” (Under development.) New Exercises: “HR Diagrams of Open Clusters” “Photometry of Variable Stars” (Under development.) Replacement of 16-bit modules: “The Classification of Stellar Spectra” “Photoelectric Photometry of Open Clusters” “The Hubble Redshift – Distance Relation” “The Large-Scale Structure of The Universe” (“Radio Astronomy of Pulsars”) Replacement of 16-bit modules: “The Classification of Stellar Spectra” “Photoelectric Photometry of Open Clusters” “The Hubble Redshift – Distance Relation” “The Large-Scale Structure of The Universe” (“Radio Astronomy of Pulsars”) Identification of objects & other data completed. Identification of objects & other data completed. A general guide is completed. Some Student Guides to specific exercises are available. Work in this area is welcomed & encouraged. A general guide is completed. Some Student Guides to specific exercises are available. Work in this area is welcomed & encouraged.

9. II. Program Structure

10. Target Environment Dedicated “laboratory” setting, with instructor present. Dedicated “laboratory” setting, with instructor present. Programs loaded on individual computers. Programs loaded on individual computers. Students have full use of computers, including hard drive write privileges. Students have full use of computers, including hard drive write privileges. Program distribution to instructors & IT technicians via Web (FTP). Program distribution to instructors & IT technicians via Web (FTP).

11. Not Targeted Web-based execution. Web-based execution. Use in a write-restricted environment (network/shared drive or highly restricted computer). Use in a write-restricted environment (network/shared drive or highly restricted computer). “Unsupervised” access & use by students. “Unsupervised” access & use by students.

12. Run-Time Files “Options” File “Options” File “Log” File “Log” File Data passed between activities. Data passed between activities. Data for external analysis (spreadsheets). Data for external analysis (spreadsheets). Partial results - some re-start capability. Partial results - some re-start capability. Final results – possible off-line combination with others. Final results – possible off-line combination with others.

13. Program Options All CLEA programs have options (properties). All CLEA programs have options (properties). Access is restricted. Log on as “instructor”. Password is “CLEA”. Access is restricted. Log on as “instructor”. Password is “CLEA”. Documented in Software User’s Guide (old modules) & popup “hints” (new modules). Documented in Software User’s Guide (old modules) & popup “hints” (new modules). Check out “Test” and “Edit” modes in new modules. Check out “Test” and “Edit” modes in new modules. VIREO will require more interaction with Options. VIREO will require more interaction with Options.

14. III. Software Installation

15. Installation - I Self-Installing Executables (“InstallShield”) Self-Installing Executables (“InstallShield”) “General User’s Guide…” no longer applies. See “Quick-Start Guide” (link on home page). “General User’s Guide…” no longer applies. See “Quick-Start Guide” (link on home page). Also “UserGuide2.doc” on CD-ROM. (Draft form, but lots of good information.) Also “UserGuide2.doc” on CD-ROM. (Draft form, but lots of good information.) If possible, install in default folder (C:\Program Files\CLEA\Exercise Name\). If possible, install in default folder (C:\Program Files\CLEA\Exercise Name\). Otherwise, keep path as short as possible. (“Old” programs have 72 character limit on path length.) Otherwise, keep path as short as possible. (“Old” programs have 72 character limit on path length.)

16. Installation – II For installation on network or shared drive, read “Shared_Install.doc” on installation disk. For installation on network or shared drive, read “Shared_Install.doc” on installation disk. To placate nervous IT administrators, see “License.rtf” on same disk. To placate nervous IT administrators, see “License.rtf” on same disk. Installation under Win 7/Vista – see next section. Installation under Win 7/Vista – see next section. For other installation or run-time problems, send me an e-mail providing as much info as possible. ( gsnyder@gettysburg.edu ) For other installation or run-time problems, send me an e-mail providing as much info as possible. ( gsnyder@gettysburg.edu ) gsnyder@gettysburg.edu

17. IV. CLEA & Win 7/Vista

18. Important(!) Instructors need to be aware of possible Win 7/Vista problems (and be prepared to address them) when assigning CLEA exercises as outside assignments or preparing “distance learning” programs. Instructors need to be aware of possible Win 7/Vista problems (and be prepared to address them) when assigning CLEA exercises as outside assignments or preparing “distance learning” programs.

19. Major Win 7/Vista Problem Areas User told privileges are insufficient to install CLEA software. User told privileges are insufficient to install CLEA software. After installation, not all CLEA software can be run. After installation, not all CLEA software can be run. Both addressed in write-up on PROJECT CLEA HOME PAGE Both addressed in write-up on PROJECT CLEA HOME PAGEPROJECT CLEA HOME PAGEPROJECT CLEA HOME PAGE

20. Installation Privileges User usually has them. User usually has them. Unlike XP, must be specifically invoked when installation run under Win7/Vista. Unlike XP, must be specifically invoked when installation run under Win7/Vista. Procedure is outlined in write-up. Procedure is outlined in write-up.

21. Runtime Problem - Versions Windows versions called “Ultimate” are 64-bit code. Windows versions called “Ultimate” are 64-bit code. All other versions (at this time) are 32-bit code. All other versions (at this time) are 32-bit code. 64-bit “Ultimate” will NOT run 16-bit applications (i.e., all “Old” CLEA modules identified earlier). 64-bit “Ultimate” will NOT run 16-bit applications (i.e., all “Old” CLEA modules identified earlier). 1 st serious Windows compatibility issue in 18 years of CLEA. 1 st serious Windows compatibility issue in 18 years of CLEA.

22. Best Solutions Use 32-bit Win 7 / Vista. Use 32-bit Win 7 / Vista. Use a virtualization product. Use a virtualization product. Use VIREO in place of 16-bit CLEA modules. Use VIREO in place of 16-bit CLEA modules. Details also in write-up. Details also in write-up.

23. Use 32-Bit Vista? Choice may not be yours to make. Choice may not be yours to make. May want/need 64-bit for other reasons. May want/need 64-bit for other reasons. If student-owned compters are to be used, some will have 64-bit Vista. If student-owned compters are to be used, some will have 64-bit Vista.

24. Use a Virtualization Product? Microsoft “Virtual PC 2007” available free. Microsoft “Virtual PC 2007” available free. Create a virtual instance of XP Pro. Create a virtual instance of XP Pro. Probably requires approval & installation by your IT people. Probably requires approval & installation by your IT people. Probably not a solution for student-owned computers. Probably not a solution for student-owned computers.

25. Make Host Dual-Bootable? IT assistance definitely needed for installation. IT assistance definitely needed for installation. Probably difficult to get approval. Probably difficult to get approval. Complicated start-up instructions for labs. Complicated start-up instructions for labs. Not a solution for student-owned computers. Not a solution for student-owned computers.

26. Don’t Use 16-bit CLEA Modules? Alternative is VIREO, where applicable. Alternative is VIREO, where applicable. “Look & Feel” of VIREO is different. Many will be confused if existing Student Guides are used. - Guides available eventually (volunteers?). “Look & Feel” of VIREO is different. Many will be confused if existing Student Guides are used. - Guides available eventually (volunteers?). “Mercury Rotation”, “Solar Energy” exercises not available in VIREO. No current plans to re-write in 32-bit. “Mercury Rotation”, “Solar Energy” exercises not available in VIREO. No current plans to re-write in 32-bit.

27. Problem with 32-bit Vista Some reports of system errors when 16-bit applications are closed. Some reports of system errors when 16-bit applications are closed. Not clear if all 32-bit versions are affected. Not clear if all 32-bit versions are affected. Appears to be mostly an annoyance. Appears to be mostly an annoyance. Vista bug? Fixed by Service Pack 1? Vista bug? Fixed by Service Pack 1?

28. V. CLEA & Macs

29. Why No MAC Versions? Developing for a 2 nd platform would have required a 2 nd full-time programmer over the length of the project (~18 years). Developing for a 2 nd platform would have required a 2 nd full-time programmer over the length of the project (~18 years). Our grants have never included anything close to the funds needed for this. Our grants have never included anything close to the funds needed for this. We tried offering fixed-fee contracts to consultants – yield was 1 ½ programs. We tried offering fixed-fee contracts to consultants – yield was 1 ½ programs.

30. Historical Background 18 yrs ago Mac was not a development- friendly environment. (Intentional!) 18 yrs ago Mac was not a development- friendly environment. (Intentional!) Windows API gave us more flexibility. Windows API gave us more flexibility. At one point Mac nearly went out of business. At one point Mac nearly went out of business. Mac operating system versions have mostly not been backward-compatible. Applications must be re-coded. Mac operating system versions have mostly not been backward-compatible. Applications must be re-coded.

31. Solutions Run a Windows emulator such as Parallels on Mac. Run a Windows emulator such as Parallels on Mac. Run a Windows emulator under Linux. Run a Windows emulator under Linux. “Wine” is freeware. Will run all “new” (32-bit) CLEA modules. “Wine” is freeware. Will run all “new” (32-bit) CLEA modules.