General

Normal application programs written for MIDAS should be structured so that the main program handles parameter input/output and initiation of data while all computations and algorithms should be placed in subroutines. This gives the general rules for applications:

• Access to MIDAS keywords must be done in the main program only.
• All MIDAS files (e.g. frames, tables and catalogues) must be created, opened and/or closed in the main program only.
• Direct I/O is not allowed e.g. read/write on terminals. All access to devices must be done through the ST/SC-interfaces.   
• No operating system related calls are allowed.
• No calls to operating system utilities are allowed.
• All access to MIDAS data structures must be done through the ST/TB- or SC/TC-interfaces.   
• No calls to external libraries (e.g. NAG).

In general, algorithms should be separated from routines that access data. This makes it easier to re-use such algorithms in other applications.