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Dataplot Vol 1 Vol 2


WEB HELP

Name:
    WEB HELP
Type:
    Support Command
Purpose:
    Accesses the on-line Dataplot Reference Manual.
Description:
    The normal Dataplot HELP command accesses ASCII text files for the help information.

    The Dataplot web site is at the following address:

      http://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/dataplot/

    Specifically, the Dataplot Reference Manual is available online at the following address:

      http://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/dataplot/document.htm

    The WEB HELP allows you to access the on-line Reference Manual using a web browser. That is, this command initiates a web browser and, based on the keyword you specify, takes you to a specific page in the Reference Manual.

    This command is host dependent (it utilizes a "system" call to initiate the browser). It is currently supported for Unix and Windows 95/98/NT platforms. See the Note section below for some SET commands that allow you to specify which browser to use.

    To see a list of supported keywords, enter the command

      LIST REFMAN.TEX

    The online Reference Manual is a combination of HTML and PDF files. To view the PDF files, you need a plug-in for your browser that can read PDF files. You can download a free PDF viewer from the Adobe Acrobat site (http://www.adobe.com/).

    In viewing the online Reference Manual, you can either pick a generic topic (e.g., simply entering WEB HELP takes you to the introductory page for the Reference Manual) and use the web browser to navigate to the pages you need. Alternatively, you can access a specific page (e.g., WEB HELP PLOT takes you to the documentation for the PLOT command).

Syntax:
    WEB HELP <command> where <command> is the name of a command or a topic for which help is needed.
Examples:
    WEB HELP
    WEB HELP PLOT
    WEB HELP FIT
    WEB HELP LET
    WEB HELP 3D-PLOT
    WEB HELP READ
    WEB HELP GRAPHICS
    WEB HELP ANALYSIS
Note:
    The WEB HELP command with no arguments takes you to the introductory page of the online Reference Manual.
Note:
    The documentation for the WEB HELP facility can lag behind the inclusion of new capabilities. The NEWS command documents new capabilities in DATAPLOT. If you do not find the topic under WEB HELP, be sure to check the NEWS file.
Note:
    In general, the on-line Reference Manual is intended to provide detailed information for a specific command. It is not intended as a tutorial for learning how to use DATAPLOT.
Note:
    By default, Dataplot attempts to use the Netscape browser. On Unix, it attempts to do this by issuing the command "netscape". On Windows 95/NT, it enters

      "C:\Program Files\NETSCAPE\NAVIGATOR\PROGRAM\netscape.exe"

    If you wish to use a different browser, or if you need to specify a different path for Netscape, you can enter the following command:

      SET BROWSER <file name>

    where <file name> is the string that activates your preferred browser. In particular, if you prefer to use the Internet Explorer browser under Windows 95/98/NT, you can enter

      SET BROWSER "C:\Program Files\Plus!\Microsoft Internet\iexplore.exe"

    The enclosing quotes are necessary because the file name contains spaces. Again, you should verify that this is the correct path on your system.

    If you need to enter this command, you should consider putting it in you DPLOGF.TEX startup file to make it the default for your system.

    Alternatively, you can enter the following operating system command under Unix:

      setenv BROWSER <file name>

    On Windows 95/98/NT, you can enter the following operating system command:

      SET BROWSER=<file name>
Note:
    The default URL for the WEB HELP command is the Dataplot home page on the public NIST web server. If you have installed the Dataplot web pages on a local system (it is available upon request) for faster performance, you should enter the following Dataplot command:

      SET DATAPLOT URL <location of Dataplot web pages>

    Again, if you need to enter this command, you should consider putting it in you DPLOGF.TEX startup file to make it the default for your system.

    Alternatively, you can enter the following operating system command under Unix:

      setenv DPURL <location of Dataplot web pages>

    On Windows 95/98/NT, you can enter the following operating system command:

      SET DPURL=<location of Dataplot web pages>
Note:
    On Unix platforms, you can send the WEB HELP request to a currently open browser. This can significantly improve performance.

    To use a currently open Netscape browser, enter the command

      SET NETSCAPE OLD

    To open a new browser, even if a browser is currently open, enter the command

      SET NETSCAPE NEW

    The default is NEW. This option is ignore for non-Netscape browsers and on the Windows 95/98/NT platforms.

Note:
    One difference between the Unix and PC versions of this command should be noted.

    Under Unix, once the WEB HELP command initiates the browser, control returns to Dataplot. You can independently navigate in the browser and enter additional Dataplot commands.

    Under Windows 95/98/NT, once the browser is initiated, control does not return to Dataplot until the browser is closed.

Default:
    None
Synonyms:
    None
Related Commands:
    WEB = Access a web browser from within Dataplot.
    NEWS = Lists the news file.
    HELP = Access the online help files.
    WEB HELP = Access the online Dataplot Reference Manual.
    WEB HANDBOOK = Access the online Dataplot Reference Manual.
    PROBE = Displays the value of an internal variable.
    SET = Sets the value of an internal variable.
Applications:
    On-Line Help
Implementation Date:
    1997/07
Program:
    WEB HELP
    WEB HELP GRAPHICS
    WEB HELP PLOT
    PLOT X**2 FOR X = 1 1 9

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Date created: 6/5/2001
Last updated: 10/29/2015

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