A file series is a series of files which are related to each other. FIT2D does not need to know the relationship, but it does require that the files are numbered in a similar manner.
The files must all be of the same format, as only the first file is used to define the input format and all other files are input in the same manner.
A large variety of numbering schemes will be successfully input, but schemes based on alphabetic characters will not be recognised.
A typical file series would be:
file_001.dat, file_002.dat, file_003.dat, file_004.dat, file_005.dat, file_006.dat, file_007.dat, file_008.dat, file_009.dat, file_010.dat, file_011.dat, file_012.dat
An alternative scheme which is also often found is:
file_1.dat, file_2.dat, file_3.dat, file_4.dat, file_5.dat, file_6.dat, file_7.dat, file_8.dat, file_9.dat, file_10.dat, file_11.dat, file_12.dat
(The former series is preferable, as the directory listing command will output the files in numerical order, which will not be the case for the second series, but FIT2D will input both series correctly.)
FIT2D looks for the changing numerical part and works out whether or not the number of characters used for the numerical part is fixed or changing.
The file series is defined by selecting the first file using the GUI file selection tool. If the file format is known and fully defined the data will be input automatically. Otherwise one or more menus will be presented to define the file format and parameters necessary for the input.
After input the data will be displayed and a FILE O.K. form will appear. If the data is not correct, enter NO and you can select another file or re-define the format. Enter CANCEL to stop the operation completely and return to the main FILE SERIES menu.
After confirming the first file input is correct, you are prompted for the last file in the series. This is not input immediately. Again you can use the CANCEL button on the file selection form, if you don't what to continue the operation.
Next you are prompted for the FILE INCREMENT. (For some operations this value is part of a larger graphical value form.) This is the increment to increase the file ``number'' for each input. If all files in a simple series are to be input, this number should be 1. However, if only every second file is required, then enter 2. This increment is generally intended to allow skipping of files, however some series are defined in a ``confusing'' manner. e.g. if the following files exist:
file_10.dat, file_20.dat, file_30.dat, file_40.dat, file_50.dat, file_60.dat, file_70.dat, file_80.dat, file_90.dat
but no files in between. Selecting file_10.dat as the first file and file_90.dat as the last file will make FIT2D think there are 81 files to input. However defining the ``FILE INCREMENT'' as 10 allows the correct files to be input.
The file series is then defined. If any files are missing in the series, a warning prompt will appear with the name of the missing file, and the O.K. button must be clicked before the operation will continue.
The effect of missing files will depend on the operation, but in general the operations will try to continue, and leave blank any affected region, or not include the data in the case of the AVERAGE operation.