Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.3. GETTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
2. THE MAIN MENU BAR
3. GEOREFERENCE DATA WINDOWS
3.2. CREATING A GEOREFERENCE DATA WINDOW
4. QUERYING
5. PLOTTING
6. EXPORT
6.1. EXPORTING GEOREFERENCE DATA
6.2. EXPORTING TIME-SLICE IMAGE DATA
APPENDIX A - SCREEN IMAGE CAPTURE INFORMATION
APPENDIX B - QUERY INFORMATION
Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure that the product is
accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of
the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by
inaccuracies in the product or as a result of the failure of the
product to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty,
expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute
such a warranty.
The user must be cautious when using this computer program and
associated data.
Trademark Acknowledgments
In this documentation for PaleoVu, trademarked commercial products
and companies are named. Mention of a commercial company or product
does not imply endorsement by NOAA or the Department of Commerce.
Use for publicity or advertising purposes of information from
this publication concerning proprietary products or the tests
or such products is not authorized.
Through the publication, rather than put a trademark symbol in
every occurrence of a trademarked name, we state that we are using
the names only in an editorial fashion with no intention of infringement
of the trademark.
Conventions
You will find the following typographic conventions throughout
this guide:
SMALL CAPS
Dialog box and window titles you will see while running PaleoVu.
Bold
Boldface words are literal and represent titles, fixed file names,
keywords, and menu item names. Also, anything that you must type
exactly as it appears.
Italic
Special terms used in this guide. Also placeholders for information
you must provide. For example, if you are asked to type filename,
you would type the actual name for a file instead.
typewriter
Presentation of text file contents.
1.1. Overview
PaleoVu is a browse and visualization tool for paleoclimate data.
Currently two types of data are supported; georeferenced, and
mapped time-slice.
1.1.1. Georeferenced Data
PaleoVu supports an ever-growing list of georeference data categories,
which are as follows: Calcium Carbonate, Coral, Documentary, Ice
Core, Lake Level, Modern Isotope, Paleobiological, Paleoceanographic,
Pollen, Sea Level and Tree Ring. Georeferenced data can be point,
stratigraphic/time-seried, or documentary in nature. Georeferenced
point data describes a single occurrence of a geophysical property
such as elevation or the modern environment. Georeferenced stratigraphic
data describes a sequence of layers. Stratigraphic data may or
may not have a geochronology associated with it, if it does it
is also a time-series, for example: an ice core has specific depths
associated with each layer but may or may not have a specific
date assigned to each layer.
Each Georeference Data Catagory is made up of a group of data
sites. Characteristics shared by all georeferenced data sites
follow:
They are site specific, meaning each has a latitude and longitude
specified as part of the data.
They pertain to a specific category of paleoclimate data: Calcium
Carbonate, Documentary, Ice Core, etc.
Data is quantitative or qualitative (e.g.. warmer or colder).
Note: There can be more than one data site of the same category
at the same geographic location.
Browse capabilities follow:
Visualization capabilities follow:
1.1.2. Mapped Time-Slice Data
Mapped time-slice data or image data is an analysis of data for
a particular time interval over a specific geographic region.
Each time-slice data set pertains to a category of mapped time-slice
data. Examples of time-slice categories follow:
Browse and Visualization Capabilities:
Time-slice data sets can be viewed, zoomed, unzoomed, and scrolled.
Legend information is also available.
PaleoVu runs on Macintosh and Microsoft Windows. All data is portable
and is stored in the NetCDF format.
1.3. Getting
Technical Support
1.3.1. Providing Information To PaleoVu
Technical Support
The following information needs to be supplied in order to
receive technical support:
1.3.2. Contacting PaleoVu Technical
Support
There are three ways to send electronic/written questions to
Technical Support:
Phone support is also available. Phone Ed Gille, PaleoVu Technical
Support Manager at (303-497-6146). This telephone service is available
Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00 MST.
2.1. File Menu
New Georeference Data Window
Most PaleoVu sessions begin with the creation of a Georeference
Data Window. The Georeference Data Window is the top level control
window for browse and visualization of georeferenced and time-slice
data. You can have up to five Georeference Data Windows in your
PaleoVu session. See Chapter 4 for details about Georeference
Data Window creation and use.
Quit
Exits PaleoVu.
Plot Setup
Plotting options can be set ahead of time by using this menu.
The plot origin can be put in the upper or lower left and the
plotting symbols for each point can be displayed. By default the
plotting symbols won't be displayed. These options can also be
set in the plot dialog if they are not set here.
This menu allows you to rearrange or delete PaleoVu windows.
Tile
You can use this item to rearrange all PaleoVu windows so that all windows are visible, reduced in size so that all windows fit on the screen.
Cascade
You can use this item to rearrange all PaleoVu windows in a cascading fashion, with a portion of all windows visible.
Close All
You can use this item to close all PaleoVu windows.
List of Windows
The Close All menu item is followed by a solid line then a list of all PaleoVu windows. This list allows you to move among the windows currently open in PaleoVu. By selecting a window from this list, it will come to the front.
3.1. Overview
The GEOREFERENCE WINDOW is the top level window for browsing and
visualization of paleoclimatic data. Up to five GEOREFERENCE WINDOWS
may be open at one time.You can specify the geographic area of
interest and data to be displayed in a GEOREFERENCE WINDOW through
the DATA SELECTION dialog.
3.2. Creating
A Georeference Data Window
To open a GEOREFERENCE WINDOW, choose the Create Georeference
Window option from the File menu. When you choose Create
Georeference Window, the DATA SELECTION dialog appears. The
DATA SELECTION dialog allows you to specify the data you wish
to browse and visualize.
The Image Name field shows the time-slice data image
to be displayed as the background image in the Georeference Window.
Mapped time-slice data is an analysis of data for a particular
time interval over a specific geographic region. Each time-slice
data set covers a category of mapped time-slice data, e.g., climate
reconstructions: precipitation, temperature; paleoclimate data:
Foraminifera, pollen; model simulation: temperature, precipitation,
sea-level pressure; geography: topography, bathymetry (including
paleoreconstructions).
The Change Image ... button brings up the CHANGE GEOREFERENCE
IMAGE dialog,which lets you choose among the background images
provided by PaleoVu.
The Georeference Data Categories list lets you choose the
paleoclimate data categories to be browsed and visualized in the
GEOREFERENCE WINDOW to be created. You must choose at least one.
Each Georeference Data Category consists of a group of data sites.
Each data site has a latitude and longitude specified as part
of the data, and data is quantitative or qualitative, e.g., warmer
or colder.
A data site is made up of variables. Variables can be point, stratigraphic/time-series,
or documentary in nature. Georeferenced point data describes a
single occurrence of a paleoenvironmental property such as modern
elevation. Georeferenced stratigraphic data describes a sequence
of layers. Time-series data describes a sequence over time, e.g.,
tree ring data.
Furthermore, a variable can be reconstructed, a "reconstructed
variable" is a quantitative or semi-quantitative climatic
variable that has been reconstructed using paleoclimatic proxy
data, e.g., temperature, or precipitation can be reconstructed
from tree ring proxy data.
The Select Sites With Reconstructed Variables Only checkbox,
when checked (turned on), tells PaleoVu to browse and visualize
only sites containing reconstructed variables. If left unchecked,
all data sites can be browsed and visualized.
The Select Vector Overlays button allows you to optionally
select vector overlays and or graticules, i.e., lines of latitude
and longitude, to be displayed. You can change the overlays to
be displayed from the GEOREFERENCE WINDOW.
The Create Georeference Window button creates the GEOREFERENCE WINDOW. The amount of time PaleoVu requires to generate the GEOREFERENCE WINDOW depends on the complexity of the background image and the number of category sites.
3.3.1. The Site List
Each GEOREFERENCE WINDOW maintains a Site List which
is a list of georeferenced data sites that meet current query
parameters. Current query parameters are defined in terms of three
concepts:
By choosing a set of georeferenced data categories, a background
image, and the reconstructed variable status from the DATA SELECTION
dialog, you begin to tailor the Site List. Then you further
tailor the Site list by choosing the Query button or the
Lat/Lon Region Button (description of these buttons follows).
When the GEOREFERENCE WINDOW is first displayed, the Site List
contains all the data sites for each selected category that is
within the geographic region of the background image, and has
the appropriated reconstructed variable status. The Query Expression
for each category is blank (NONE). A blank expression returns
true for all data sites of its respective category.
3.3.2. Title
The title for the GEOREFERENCE WINDOW begins with "Georeference
Window", followed by the name of the background image that
you selected from the DATA SELECTION dialog. Next, if Reconstructed
Variables Only is on, the word Recon will be displayed. At the
very end is number. Any window, created through actions occurring
in the GEOREFERENCE WINDOW, will have this number as the final
characters of its title.
3.3.3. Display Area
The display area displays the site markers of all the data sites
in the Site List. Underlying the site markers is the background
image that you selected.
3.3.4. Control Panel
The Control Panel lets you perform browse and visualization
actions and change the appearance of the display area.
List Sites
When selected, this button creates a Site Listing Window that lists characteristics about all data sites in the Site List. See section 3.3.6. for details about the SITE LISTING window.
Query
This button allows you to define a query expression for each data category, thus modifying the Sites List. (See Chapter 4 for details about queries).
Lat/Lon Region
Allows you to select a Query Region using a cursor-controlled rubber band box. Click inside the box and drag in order to move the box. Click outside of the box in order to start over. Double click inside the box when the Query Region you desire is contained within the box.
This control is a toggle, once depressed it stays active. To turn off this control, select it again or select another toggle (Zoom In).
Plot Setup
This button allows you to set defaults for plotting data.
Legend
Displays information about site markers and the background image.
Overlays
This button allows you to select image overlays and graticules
to be displayed in the Display Area over the background
image.
ZOOM CONTROLS
Z (Zoom-In)
Allows you to select a region to zoom in on using a cursor-controlled rubber bandbox. Click inside the box and drag in order to move the box. Click outside of the box in order to start over. Double click inside the box when you wish to invoke the zoom in operation.
This control is a toggle, once depressed it stays active. To turn off this control, select it again or select another toggle (Lat/Lon Region).
z (Zoom-Out)
Un-does the last zoom-in.
Fit-To-Window
Fills the Display Area to the maximum extent possible by zooming in or out.
Export Background Image
This button allows you to export the background image in ASCII Special format or netCDF format to the file of your choice.
Background Image Memo
This button allows you to display the memo information about the
background image.
3.3.4. Status Panel
The Status Panel at the bottom of the GEOREFERENCE WINDOW contain status information.
Region Shown
Displays the upper left coordinate and lower right coordinate of the geographic region.
Query Region
Displays the upper left and lower right coordinate of the specified Query Region.
Status Line
Displays the current state of the mouse and information about mouse interaction.
Lat and Lon
These fields display the coordinates of the current mouse when
the mouse is down or being dragged.
3.3.6. The Site Listing Window
Through a SITE LISTING window you can plot, export, search and
sort on information about data sites, and view metadata about
data sites.
3.3.6.1. Bringing Up the Site Listing
Window
There are two ways to bring up a SITE LISTING window, you can
select the List Sites button or double click on a site
marker.
If you select the List Sites button, a SITE LISTING window
is displayed. You can perform various operations (plot, export,
and so on) on all data sites in the Site List (see section
3.3.1. for definition of Site List). The title of the SITE
LISTING window is Map Listing.
When you double click the mouse on a site marker in the georeference
window Display Area, a SITE LISTING window is displayed and you
can perform operations on data sites within a four pixel search
radius of the mouse. The title in this case is Marker Listing.
Note: In order to bring up the SITE LISTING window by this method,
you cannot be currently zooming in or selecting a query region,
as these operations put the mouse in special modes.
3.3.6.2. The Site Listing Window
Each row of the list corresponds to one data site.
Export
To export data sites to files on your hard disk, highlight the rows of the sites that you wish to export in any one of the columns that contain text. Then select the Export button. For a complete explanation of exporting data sites see Chapter 6.
Search and Sort
These buttons allow you to search or sort through the list for specific site names, latitudes longitudes, and so on.
Select All
Highlights all rows, so all rows are selected for export.
Unselect All
Unhighlights all rows, so no rows are selected for export.
Site List Columns
A description of each column in the Site List follows.
Plot
To plot data for a site, click on the icon under the Plot column in its respective row. See Chapter 5 for details about plotting.
List
To list all data records for a site, click on the icon under the List column in its respective row.
Memos
To list memo information for a site, click on the icon under the Memos column in its respective row.
Category
Georeference data category to which the data site belongs.
Name
Descriptive name for the site. Select the down arrow to the left of the name to display all variables in the data site.
Latitude
Latitude of the data site.
Longitude
Longitude of the data site.
File Name
File name of the data site on your harddisk.
Elevation
Elevation of the data site.
Contribution
Organization or person that contributed the data site.
3.3.7. Resizing and Moving Columns
You can resize and move columns in the SITE LIST Window or any
other multicolumn dialog or window in PaleoVu.
To move a column:
Select the desired column heading. The column is now "picked
up" and the cursor changes to a hand. While holding the mouse
button down, drag the hand cursor so that it is between the two
columns where you wish to drop the "picked up" column.
To resize a column:
Select the left or right edge of the heading of the column that
you wish to resize. The cursor changes to a cross. While holding
the mouse button down, drag the cursor until the column is the
size that you want it to be, then release the mouse button.
3.3.8. Scrolling Columns
You can scroll columns in the SITE LIST Window or any other multicolumn
dialog or window in PaleoVu. Use the scroll bars to move through
the columns horizontally and vertically.
4.1. Overview
As described in Chapter 3, each GEOREFERENCE WINDOW maintains
a Site List. The Site List is a list of georeferenced
data sites that meet the current query parameters. Current query
parameters are defined in terms of three concepts:
You can change the query expression for a given category of data
to control what data is displayed through the GEOREFERENCE QUERY
dialog. To display the GEOREFERENCE QUERY dialog, select the Query
Button from the Georeference Window.
When you open the query dialog, at the top of the dialog is a
list of the categories of data that were selected for this georeference
window. Selecting one of the categories will result in a list
of variables associated with this category being displayed in
the center of the dialog. For querying, numeric variables are
not a single value. A variable for a site is a package
of two values - a minimum and a maximum value. These values are
the minimum and maximum values of that variable for a particular
site. By default, all variables are displayed (non-reconstructed
and reconstructed). The checkbox below the variable list can be
used to change the display to only reconstructed variables.
Clicking on a variable in the variable list causes the variable
name to be placed in the expression box at the bottom of the dialog.
The variable is surrounded by brackets ( [] ). The brackets distinguish
between the variable names and other symbols in the expression.
It is possible to type directly into the expression box, especially
to backspace over mistakes.
To the right of the variable list is a group of buttons with operation
symbols. These buttons are used to place operations in the expression
box. There are 13 operations. These are:
Variables and operations can always be typed directly into the
expression box. The click to insert functions from the variable
list and operation buttons is only for convenience for the user.
Clicking to insert does not guarantee that the expression
is correct. An expression can be built completely from clicking
to insert and still produce syntax errors.
Parenthesizes can be used to group parts of the expression to
circumvent operator precedence. (See Appendix B for default operator
precedence). Operators AND, OR, and NOT are preceded and followed
by periods in the expression to distinguish these operators from
strings and variable names.
Numbers and operators work just like the common calculator. Variables,
on the other hand, have special rules about how they interact
with operations and other types of operands. A variable is a package,
a min/max pair. When a numeric value (integer or float value)
is added to a variable, the value is added to both the min and
max value of the variable. For example, a variable Age can
have a minimum value of 10 and a maximum value of 100. The expression
"[Age] + 5" would result in a variable with a minimum
value of 15 and a maximum value of 105. All of the numeric operators
(+, -, *, /) work similarly. Relational operators are the most
useful operators. The rules for applying the relational operators
to variables follows:
Variable < value returns if value > Variable.min
Variable > value returns if value < Variable.max
value < Variable returns if value < Variable.max
value > Variable returns if value > Variable.min
Variable1 > Variable2 returns if Variable1.max > Variable2.min
Variable1 < Variable2 returns if Variable1.min < Variable2.max
After the expression is completed, the button APPLY EXPRESSION
is used to apply the current expression to the selected category.
When an expression is applied to a category, the expression is
actually applied to each site of the category. If the site has
a variable of the type specified in the query, the expression
is evaluated with that variable's values. If the result of the
evaluation is True, the site is included in the current display.
If the result of the evaluation is False, the site is dropped
from the current display. If the site does not have a variable
of the types listed in the expression, the evaluation results
in False and the site is dropped from the current display.
The goal of a query is to obtain a boolean (True/False) answer
to whether a site fulfills a query. The query "2 + 5"
is a valid query and all the sites fulfill the query, but it is
not really a useful query. Including a variable in the expression
uses values from the data sites to determine the expression value.
If evaluating the expression for a site results in True, the data
site is displayed on the GEOREFERENCE WINDOW.
Example:
Say you want to query for all Calcium Carbonate data sites that
have a percentage of CaC03 greater than 90%. The process to query
is as follows:
The site markers plotted in the GEOREFERENCE WINDOW for calcium
carbonate will now reflect only the sites meeting the query expression.
5.1. Overview
Each GEOREFERENCE WINDOW can have one PLOT MANAGER WINDOW associated
with it.
Information about a data site can be plotted through the SITE
LISTING window (see Chapter 4, section 4.3.6 for details about
creating and using the SITE LISTING window). When the plot icon
of the SITE LISTING window is clicked, you are presented with
a VARIABLE SELECTION dialog. Any combination of variables may
be plotted. A plot is opened in the PLOT MANAGER WINDOW after
variables are selected.
Up to seven plots may be opened and tiled within the PLOT MANAGER
WINDOW to facilitate visual comparison of time-series data. Comparisons
can be made easier by setting the independent variable (depth,
age) ranges equal using the Ranges button in the PLOT
MANAGER WINDOW. Plots may be resized with the Zoom Controls,
and data values may be read from plots with the Point Value
Tool. When plots are resized too small for the resolution
of the monitor being used, the plot will go blank. The plot must
be stretched to a larger size, or some plots must be closed.
Delete Plot
This button deletes the plot with the focus from the PLOT MANAGER WINDOW.
Copy Tool
This button duplicates the plot with the focus and positions it
within the PLOT
MANAGER WINDOW.
Tile Tool
This button arranges all plots within the PLOT MANAGER WINDOW so that they are simultaneously visible.
Cascade Tool
This button arranges all plots within the PLOT MANAGER WINDOW in a cascading fashion so that a portion of each is visible.
Ranges
This button allows you to set ranges of values to be plotted.
Graph Edit
This button allows you to select an interpolation method, and/or choose between plotting symbols or line graph only.
Aux
This button allows you to generate a smoothed curve overlay on top of the data values plotted.
Transpose
This button flips the X and Y axes.
Axis
This button allows you to flip orientation of axes (to display depth or time ascending or descending order).
Labels
This button allows you to modify Axis labels (default is variable names).
Point Value Tool
This button allows you to double click at point of interest in plot to display underlying data values.
Move Tool
Allows a plot to be moved by dragging it within the PLOT MANAGER WINDOW. This control is a toggle, once depressed it stays active and puts the mouse in move mode. In order to turn off this control, depress the control again or select another toggle control (Resize, or Zoom In).
Plot Resize Tool
Allows a plot to be resized by cursor-controlled rubber band box. Click on this button, drag corners of box to desired size. Click inside the box and drag in order to move the box. Click outside of the box in order to start over. Double click inside the box when the box is at the desired location and size.
This control is a toggle, once depressed it stays active and puts
the mouse in resize mode. In order to turn off this control, depress
the control again or select another toggle control (Move, or Zoom
In).
ZOOM CONTROLS
Z (Zoom In)
Allows a region to be selected by cursor-controlled rubber band box. Click inside the box and drag in order to move the box. Click outside of the box in order to start over. Double click inside the box when you wish to invoke the zoom in operation.
This control is a toggle, once depressed it stays active and puts the mouse in zoom in mode. In order to turn off this control, depress the control again or select another toggle control (Resize, or Move).
z (Zoom Out)
Will un-do the last zoom-in.
Restore Plot
Restores plot to original size following any Zoom or Unzoom operations.
Data from selected sites can be output to files on your harddisk
for further analysis outside of PaleoVu. For georeferenced data,
PaleoVu can output a columnar ASCII format with spaces, commas
or tabs separating the columns. Time-slice image data can be exported
in NetCDF and ASCII Special.
6.1. Exporting Georeference Data
Any set of data sites can be exported through the Export
button of the SITE LISTING window. When the Export button
of the SITE LISTING window is clicked, you are presented with
the EXPORT DATA SET dialog.
The ASCII files created will carry the same eight character file names as the PaleoVu data site file name with the extension ".out" or an extension of your choice added. The EXPORT DATA SET dialog allows you to set the output directory. It also allows you to specify whether or not header information will be output. Furthermore, any combination of variables may be exported.
An example of exporting Ice Core Data Sites follows:
Output Directory Text Box
Enter the target directory for the exported data here. In the
above example all the export files will be put into the D:\GEODAT
directory.
Column Delimiter List Box
Click on the arrow on the right side of this box to see a drop-down
menu with your column delimiter options. Select from tabs, spaces
or commas.
Output File Extension Text Box
Enter the file extension for the file(s) you are exporting. By
default the files will be given their filename with a .out
suffix. This text box is also used for naming the export file
if you are exporting multiple sites into one file. A file containing
multiple sites will be named allsites.out by default.
MULTIPLE files or all sites in ONE file selection box
If you are exporting the data from more than one site, you have
the option of having one file containing all the data sets or
a separate file for each data set.
Define Header Variables To Be Exported
Click this button when you are ready to decide which of the header
variables, such as latitude, longitude and elevation, you would
like to have exported at the top of the file along with the georeference
data from the site. The variable lists at the bottom of the dialog
box will be used for this selection process.
Define Vector Variables To Be Exported
Click this button to begin selecting which columns of data to
export from the sites selected. The variable lists below will
be used for this process.
Variables To Export List and Variables NOT To Export List
The Variables to Export list displays all variables that
will be exported. The Variables NOT to Export list displays
all the variables that you choose not to export. The variable
list titles also indicate whether you are working with Header
variables or Vector variables. For instance the example
dialog box above is set for the selection of vector variables.
The button displaying a right pointing arrow (right arrow button),
the button displaying a left pointing arrow (left arrow button),
and the two ALL buttons allow you to move variables between
the two lists.
To move a group of variables (or one variable) from one list to
the other, select the variables that you wish to move, and click
on the arrow button that points in the direction of the target
list. To move an entire list select the ALL button with
the appropriately directed arrow for the direction of your move.
For example, the <ALL button would move every variable
from the Export list to the NOT To Export list.
As another example, suppose you want to export all of the header
variables except for Category and Contribution.
The process is as follows:
When you are satisfied with your header variable and vector variable
selections use the Export button to execute the export
operation. Click Cancel to exit this dialog without exporting
any files.
6.2. Exporting
Time-Slice Image Data
Any image being used in a georeference window as the background
can be exported to your machine. There is a choice of either NetCDF
or ASCII Special for the output format. To begin simply click
the Export Background Image button in the Georeference
window that contains the image of interest. The Export Background
Image dialog will allow you to set your export options.
Output Directory text box
Enter the target directory for the exported file here. In the
above example the file will be exported to D:\GEODAT.
Output File Name text box
Enter the desired file name for the exported image here. The default
is the image filename with the extension ".out" added.
Export File Format button
Select the desired format for the image export file.
Use the Export button to execute the export operation or the Cancel
button to exit this dialog without exporting the file.
Appendix A - Screen
Image Capture Information
Microsoft Windows
Any screen image displayed by PaleoVu can be captured to the Microsoft
Windows clipboard, and then pasted into a graphics manipulation
program (such as Paint Brush) to be manipulated or printed. Depress
the Print Screen Key (F13 on some keyboards) to save a screen
image to the Clipboard, or depress the Print Screen Key and the
Alt key simultaneously to save the window with focus to the clipboard.
Macintosh
Any screen image dispalyed by PaleoVu can be captured to a Macintosh PICT file. The PICT file can then be imported into a graphic manipulation program to be manipulated or printed. Depress the command, shift and "3" keys simultaneously to save a screen to a PICT file. The first screen image captured will be saved to PICT1, the second to PICT2 and so on.
Appendix B - Query
Information
B.1. Operator Precedence
| Operator | Order | |
| ( | left | |
| NOT | right | |
| Highest | * / | left |
| to | + - | left |
| Lowest | < <= > >= | left |
| = != <> | left | |
| AND | left | |
| OR | left |
In the operator precedence table, operators at the same level
have the same precedence. Operators at the top of the table have
the highest precedence. In other words, in expressions with no
parenthesizes, these operations would be performed first before
a operator with lower precedence. Order determines whether an
operation is performed left to right or right to left.
B.2. Operand Types
There are 4 types of operands in PaleoVu - Float, Long, Variable,
and Boolean. Mixing these types and certain operations can produce
valid results or errors. Following is a list of tables indicating
operator, operand types and resulting value types.
Operators +, -, *
| Left Operand | Right | Operand | ||
| Long | Float | Variable | Boolean | |
| Long | Long | Float | Variable | Boolean/False a |
| Float | Float | Float | Variable | Boolean/False |
| Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable | Boolean/False |
| Boolean | Boolean/False | Boolean/False | Boolean/False | Boolean/False |
a. Where Boolean return types have a value, it does not matter what the operand values are, this is the value that is returned.
Operators / a
| Left Operand | Right | Operand | ||
| Long | Float | Variable | Boolean | |
| Long | Long | Float | Error | Boolean/False b |
| Float | Float | Float | Error | Boolean/False |
| Variable | Variable | Variable | Error | Boolean/False |
| Boolean | Boolean/False | Boolean/False | Boolean/False | Boolean/False |
a. Divide by 0 errors are returned as an error.
b. Where Boolean return types have a value, it does not matter
what the operand values are, this is the value that is returned.
Operators OR, AND
| Left Operand | Right | Operand | ||
| Long | Float | Variable | Boolean | |
| Long | Boolean/True a | Boolean/True | Boolean/True | Boolean/Right b |
| Float | Boolean/True | Boolean/True | Boolean/True | Boolean/Right |
| Variable | Boolean/True | Boolean/True | Boolean/True | Boolean/Right |
| Boolean | Boolean/Left | Boolean/Left | Boolean/Left | Boolean |
a. Where Boolean return types have a value , it does not matter
what the operand values are, this is the value that is returned.
b. When Left of Right are indicated for a Boolean value, the value
of the left or right operand is returned regardless of the other
operand value.
Operator =, <>
| Left Operand | Right | Operand | ||
| Long | Float | Variable | Boolean | |
| Long | Boolean | Boolean | Boolean | Boolean/False a |
| Float | Boolean | Boolean | Boolean | Boolean/False |
| Variable | Boolean | Boolean | Error | Boolean/False |
| Boolean | Boolean/False | Boolean/False | Boolean/False | Boolean |
a. Where Boolean return types have a value, it does not matter
what the operand values are, this is the value that is returned.
Operators <, <=, >, >=
| Left Operand | Right | Operand | ||
| Long | Float | Variable | Boolean | |
| Long | Boolean | Boolean | Boolean | Boolean/False a |
| Float | Boolean | Boolean | Boolean | Boolean/False |
| Variable | Boolean | Boolean | Boolean | Boolean/False |
| Boolean | Boolean/False | Boolean/False | Boolean/False | Boolean/False |
a. Where Boolean return types have a value, it does not matter
what the operand values are, this is the value that is returned.
Operator - (unary)
| Left Operand | Return Type |
| Long | Long |
| Float | Float |
| Variable | Variable |
| Boolean | Boolean/False |
a. Where Boolean return types have a value, it does not matter what the operand values are, this is the value that is returned.