Dynamic Configuration/ User Interface

Like ANALYSIS_CONTROL, AC++ supports a high level of run-time flexibility, thus allowing the user to easily modify the default running conditions without having to edit analysis modules he did not write and without having to relink his program. Among the features available to the user within his executable program are:

1. The ability to specify that only a subset of the linked modules should be run and the ability to override the default order in which these modules are run.

2. The ability to manipulate the histograms associated with a given analysis module. (This feature is still be developed, it will be described in more detail in a future version of this document.)

3. The ability to enter a menu interface for any module. This facility allows a mechanism for changing cuts or other internal configurations without relinking. The user may change these parameters for an existing module-instance or another module-instance may be cloned from an existing module-instance and then the clone's parameters would be changed. (The cloning feature is still be developed)

4. The ability to reconfigure a filter module in a particular path. The filter may have it's filtering function turned off so that it always passes, or it may be put in veto-mode. When a filter is in veto mode the framework will act as if it's internal decision is actually the logical .NOT. For example, if the filter decides that it is time to stop processing on the current path the framework will continue processing if the filter is in veto mode. This feature is useful for users who want to study filter efficiencies and create a sample of events that fail a given filter. (This feature is still be developed)

5. The ability to customize I/O at run-time. See the sections on input and output module commands.

The user interface for doing this must be available for both batch and interactive jobs. It should also be a well supported package which has the ability to generate Graphical User Interfaces and support dynamic loading of shared objects. TCL/TK satisfies these criteria as of major version 7 and is AC++ current choice.