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Last modified: Fri Jan 20 01:15:10 2012.

# 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: 'c:/data/' if it exists; else 'e:/data/' if it exists,  else 'c:/data/' regardless.

         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
         disk backups do not have to include these large (easily replaced) files.

         On unix systems, it is recommended to create a common directory with global write permission
         that multiple users can share. This will reduce internet traffic and disk storage requirements for users
         that use common 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: 2009-10-16 13:59:17 -0700 (Fri, 16 Oct 2009) $
    $LastChangedRevision: 6863 $
    $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)