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Last modified: Fri Jul 10 01:15:14 2009.

# Directory Listing of Routines

# ssl_general/missions

- ROOT_DATA_DIR

# Routine Descriptions

## ROOT_DATA_DIR

[List of Routines]

    FUNCTION:  root_data_dir
    PURPOSE:  Returns the root data directory used by numerous file retrieval procedures.
         By default it returns either:
              for unix:    '/disks/data/' if it exists,  '~/data/' otherwise
              for Windows: 'e:/data/' if it exists,   'c:/data/' otherwise

         These data sets can grow to very large size. These defaults are intended to allow multiple
         users to share a common data directory system.

         It is recommended that PC users create a separate partition (e:/data/) to store files so that
         file backups do not have to include these large (easily replaced) files.

         On multiple user unix systems it is recommended to setup permissions so that all (or group) users
         can write into sub-directories and update (overwrite) data files.

    CHANGING THE DEFAULT:
         The default directory can be changed by creating an environment variable: 'ROOT_DATA_DIR'
         Example 1:
              setenv,'ROOT_DATA_DIR=/mydata/'
         Example 2:  A temporary directory:
              setenv,'ROOT_DATA_DIR=' + getenv('IDL_TMPDIR') + 'data/'     ; trailing '/' IS required.
         If the value of the environment variable ROOT_DATA_DIR is a list of directories, then the first
         existing directory is returned.

         Notes:
         1)  The environment variable should be set prior to running initialization routines (put it in your IDL_STARTUP file)
         2)  The trailing '/' is required!    PC users should also use '/'   (not backslash: '\')
         3)  The total size of all files can grow immense and there is no need to back them up.
                We suggest placing them on a partition that is not backed up
         4)  File storage space can be shared with other users if a commonly accessible data directory is chosen.
         5)  Use a temporary directory if you do not want to permanently store these cached files.

    This routine is called by:
        wind_init
        istp_init
        stereo_init
        lanl_spa_load
        thm_config (through thm_init)

    $LastChangedBy: davin-win $
    $LastChangedDate: 2009-05-20 11:51:45 -0700 (Wed, 20 May 2009) $
    $LastChangedRevision: 5914 $
    $URL: svn+ssh://thmsvn@ambrosia.ssl.berkeley.edu/repos/ssl_general/trunk/missions/root_data_dir.pro $

(See ssl_general/missions/root_data_dir.pro)