Several sorts of resources exist outside of this document:
Supported NSCL devices have pre-built systems you can either use as is or as a starting point for new systems.
Older, but perfectly good documentation about the NSCL DAQ system exists on the web.
Some books in print are useful background for preparing to tailor the NSCL DAQ system.
The table below describes existing fully built data acquisition systems at the NSCL and their contacts. Note that in some cases the maintainers of these systems have exported independent, highly useful modules (such as elog in the case of the SeGA group), to other systems. Support issues for the software in the table below should be directed at the contacts listed rather than the NSCL software support staff.
Table 1-2. Existing complete systems and their maintainers.
| Package | Contact Name | Contact Email | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| S800 DAQ | Daniel Bazin | bazin@nscl.msu.edu | Other exported components include SpecTk an alternative displayer for SpecTcl, and an additional buffer dumper. |
| A1900 DAQ | Thomas Bauman | bauman@nscl.msu.edu | Several controls applications may be useful. |
| MoNA | William Peters | peters@nscl.msu.edu | This system is based on the scripted skeletons. |
| Neutron Sweeper Magnet | Daniel Bazin | bazin@nscl.msu.edu | This is a subset of the S800 system. It runs coupled with the MoNA system as well |
| HiRA | William Lynch (?) | lynch@nscl.msu.edu (?) | Includes interesting control applications for the Wash-U shaper. |
| Beta End Station | Paul Mantica | mantica@nscl.msu.edu | |
| SEE | Ron Fox | fox@nscl.msu.edu | This uses the scriptable framework and is the origin for some of the control panel applications that are now part of the NSCL DAQ system. |
Online documentation of the NSCL DAQ system is at http://docs.nscl.msu.edu/daq
The NSCL DAQ software is written in C++ to program the application frameworks requires at least a basic understanding of C++. The following are some web and printed resources that you can use for C++:
http://www.nscl.msu.edu/~fox/talks.htm provides the power point presentations for a C++ class I gave at the NSCL.
The definitive C++ book is B. Stroustrup The C++ Programming Language Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.
Much of the NSCL DAQ system uses the standard template library which is part of the C++ standard library. This is described in: D. Musser, G. Derge, A. Saini STL Tutorial and Reference Guide Addison-Wesley Professional Computing Series
Many chunks of the NSCL data acquisition and analysis software use the Tcl/Tk scripting language as a command and extension language. The following are references that will help you to wrap your brain around this very useful scripting language.
The power point slides for a Tcl/Tk class I gave at the NSCl are at: http://www.nscl.msu.edu/~fox/talks.htm
J.K. Ousterhout Tcl and the Tk Toolkit Addison-Welsey Professional Computing Series
B.B. Welch, K. Jones, J. Hobbs Practical Programming in Tcl and Tk