IUCr activities
Automatic Retrieval of CIF-Related Software
An information server has been established at the IUCr Editorial Office to permit automatic retrieval of programs and documentation useful in handling Crystallographic Information Files (CIF). Files are sent by e-mail in response to incoming e-mail requests. To use this facility send an e-mail message to the address: sendcif@uk.ac.iucr (UK users) or sendcif@iucr.ac.uk (others) containing the request commands index or send as described below. A request command may be part of the "Subject:" line or part of the mail message body.
A list of sample requests and their results follows.
Request | Result |
---|---|
index | List of the files (sizes and dates of last modification) available for retrieval |
send form.cif | Copy of skeleton CIF, basis for an Acta submission. |
Multiple requests may appear on the same line, e.g.
send cifdic.c91 cyclops.src quasar.srcis equivalent to:
send cifdic.c91 send cyclops.src send quasar.sr
Note that requests are not case-sensitive. Note also that if the size of the requested file(s) exceeds an internal limit (currently 75,000 characters), the reply is automatically broken up into pieces, a message is mailed to the requestor informing him or her of that, and the pieces sent with the header "Part n of m" for identification purposes. A script is also sent that can be used to automatically rejoin these pieces into the original file. This script will only work on UNIX, or UNIX-like systems, but should provide a lead for users of other operating systems.
The files currently available, with approximate sizes, are:
cifdic.c91 | 140 kB | Electronic version of CIF Dictionary |
cman.sh | 1 kB | Simple UNIX shell script for on-line perusal of CIF Dictionary |
cyclops.src | 15 kB | Dictionary validation program CYCLOPS |
example.cif | 31 kB | Example of a CIF submission to Acta |
form.cif | 12 kB | Template CIF that may be used for submission to Acta |
quasar.src | 33 kB | CIF processing program QUASAR |
request.lst | 7 kB | List of the data items searched for within a submitted CIF |