IRAM Memo 2011-3 CLASS User Section

# IRAM Memo 2011-3
CLASS User Section

S. Bardeau, J. Pety, S. Guilloteau
1. IRAM (Grenoble)
2. LERMA, Observatoire de Paris
3. LAB, Observatoire de Bordeaux

April, 27 2015
Version 1.2

### Abstract:

CLASS is a state-of-the-art GILDAS1 software for reduction and analysis of (sub)–millimeter spectroscopic data. Up to now, the CLASS data format could only describe a predetermined number of parameters in the observation headers, these parameters being grouped in 17 sections (e.g. the general, spectroscopic or calibration sections). However, the possibility to add telescope-specific information to the CLASS data format was requested several time. Instead of introducing a per-telescope specific and fixed section, we thus decided to introduce a new flexible section, named User Section. This document describes the functionalities available to the end-users as well as the implementation steps which must be developed by the section owner.

Revisions:

- 1.0 (06-jul-2011): first release
- 1.1 (15-may-2013): added hook to command FIND
- 1.2 (27-apr-2015): added support for 2D arrays

- Contents
- Basic description and functionalities
- Adding a user subsection to an observation
  - Example
  - Detailed API
- Reading a user section from an observation
- Adding hooks to the Class commands
  - User hook for command DUMP
    - Example
    - API
  - User hook for command SET VARIABLE USER
    - Example
    - API
  - User hook for command FIND
    - Example
    - API
  - API summary
- Extending the standard CLASS capabilities
- Backward compatibility
- Portability
- Conclusion
- Implementation details for CLASS developers
- About this document ...