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Dataplot Vol 1 Vol 2

CAT

Name:
    CAT
Type:
    Support Command
Purpose:
    This command lists the contents of a file.
Description:
    This command uses an operating system command to list the contents a file.

    For Unix/Linux/MacOS systems, the CAT command issues a

      cat ....

    command to the operating system.

    For Windows systems, the CAT command issues a

      TYPE ....

    command to the operating system.

    The string that follows the CAT on the command line is passed to the operating system as is. Dataplot does no error checking of this string.

    This is a system dependent command. It is currently supported for Unix/Linux/MacOS and Windows platforms.

Syntax:
    CAT <file-list>
    where <file-list> is a string containing the name of a file.
Examples:
    CAT FIT.DP
    CAT FIT.OUT
Note:
    The CAT capability can be implemented by direct use of the SYSTEM command. For example, under Linux do something like

      system cat fit.dp

    The motivation for adding this as a separate command is to allow the capability to be implemented in an operating system independent way. This can be useful when writing general purpose macros that may be used on different operating systems.

Note:
    The Dataplot LIST command can also list the contents of a file. However, there are some distinctions in how they work. The LIST command explicitly opens the file and reads each line of the file and then prints it (a maximum of 240 characters per line will be read). The CAT command issues an operating system command to display the file.

    One advantage of the LIST command is that the Dataplot directories will be searched if the file is not found in the current directory. The CAT command will simply pass the file name to the operating system as entered. The CAT command is not limited to 240 characters per line. Also, the CAT command supports the use of wild cards in specifying the file name.

Note:
    By default, the output will be displayed one screen at a time. If you want to suppress this pause, enter the command

      SET CAT MORE OFF

    To reset the default

      SET CAT MORE ON
Note:
    File names are case sensitive on Unix/Linux/MacOS file systems. For this reason, case is preserved in passing the file name to the operating system.
Note:
    On Windows platforms, this command will be issued in "persistent" mode. That is, the command prompt window that is initiated to run the command will remain up until you explicitly close it. Enter HELP SYSTEM for more information on the persistent mode.
Default:
    None
Synonyms:
    TYPE is a synonym for CAT
Related Commands:
    SYSTEM = Enter an operating system command within a Dataplot session.
    CD = Change the current working directory.
    PWD = Retrieve the current working directory.
    MKDIR = Create a new directory
    RM = Delete one or more files.
    DIR = List the contents of a directory.
Applications:
    Interactive Usage
Implementation Date:
    2019/09
Program: 
     
SKIP 25
READ BERGER1.DAT Y X
.
CAPTURE FIT.OUT
FIT Y X
END OF CAPTURE
.
CAT FIT.OUT

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Date created: 09/13/2019
Last updated: 09/13/2019
Please email comments on this WWW page to alan.heckert@nist.gov.