Discrete Dynamics Lab
Accessing DDLab
This is part of chapter 3 (Accessing DDLab) of the new Manual, with detailed instructions for downloading, unzipping, unpacking, and running DDLab, for DOS, Unix, Linux, and Irix.

Contents

Latest Version

For the latest version of DDLab and documentation check one of one of the following web sites,

Versions of DDLab

The compiled versions of DDLab for Unix, Linux, Irix and DOS, and the Manual, can to be found at one of the following download sites: The current and older versions of DDLab and documentation are listed below, where links are at the COGS, Univ. of Sussex. Download by clicking on the files required, or try the alternative download sites above. The older versions are only available at COGS.

May 2002 DDLab version 24, sub-directory dd_2002_may.

Feb 1999 DDLab version 22, sub-directory dd_1999_feb.

Sept 1997 DDLab version 21 sub-directory dd_1997_sept

March 1996 DDLab version 20 sub-directory dd_1996_march

July 1995 DDLab version 10 sub-directory dd_1995_july

The DDLab manual sub-directory dd_manual

FTP from the command line

DDLab files can be downloaded by anonymous ftp from... To do this from the command line, first change to the directory where DDLab is to be installed, then follow a typical FTP session as set out below,

ftp ftp.cogs.susx.ac.uk
name: anonymous ... enter "anonymous"
password: ... your complete email address, the prompt changes to ftp>
cd /pub/users/andywu/
ls ... to list the sub-directories
cd dd_2001_july ... to change to a sub-directory, for example
ls ... to list the files
bin ... set for binary mode
get ddlab_linux_24.tar.gz ... to get the required file, for example
cd ..
 ... (cd, space, dot dot), for a higher level directory
quit ... to quit FTP

DDLab Documentation

The new manual and DDLab version 23, both released in July 2001, correspond exactly. The manual will be updated from time to time, check the DDlab web site and the mailing list for update news. The manual is available in the sub-directory dd_manual in the following formats,
The old manual is still available in the file ddman_20.zip which will unzip (with PKUNZIP) to ddman.doc, a Word for Windows file. This un-illustrated reference manual is only valid for the DDLab version 20, March 1996, and prior versions.

Unzipping and running - DOS

Place the .zip file in its own directory. To uncommpress, use PKUNZIP. Information about PKUNZIP is here. The latest DOS wersion of DDLab, ddlab_dos_24.tar.gz, July 2001, can be unzipped with Winzip from Windows, or with gunzip and tar -xvf from Unix/Linux.

Previous versions (.zip) were zipped with PKZIP and must be unzipped with PKUNZIP. A net search will list sites that describe and provide PKZIP.

The DOS version will unzip giving a number of files, including,

Keep all the files together in there own directory. The default background is black for version 23, white for previous versions. For best results DDLab should be run in pure DOS, or in a full screen DOS window in Windows. In a small DOS window only 640x480 resolution is allowed. To toggle between a small DOS window and full screen, enter Alt + Enter. To run the program, enter ddlabx23 at the DOS prompt for a black background and 640x480 pixel resolution.

You can also add the following program parameters for a different graphics setup (this can also be changed later).

For example, for a white background and 1024x768 enter ddlabx24 -w -h.

Unzipping and running - UNIX, Linux, Irix

Place the .tar.gz file in its own directory. To unzip the .gz file, the unpack the .tar file,
follow the example below,

This will give a number of files, including the executable, ddlabx24 (for example). Keep these files in the same directory. To run the program enter ddlabx24 & (or ./ddlabx24 & on some Unix systems) , i.e. the name of the executable followed by & (to retain control of the xterm window).

The default background is black for version 24, white for previous versions. This can be changed with a program parameter, -w for version 24, -bfor previous versions.

Unix library files

DDLab for Unix is compiled with ``static'' set, so that missing library problems should not occur. However, the libraries libx11 and libsunmath do need to be in your system, they usually are. If they are missing, they can be downloaded from the file,

which will unzip and unpack as described above to give the following files,

These files should be installed in the same directory as DDLab.

Extra data files

These files, common to all platforms, contain data used by DDLab, including samples of ``complex'' 1d CA rules which feature interacting gliders, and should be in the same directory as the DDLab executable file.\\ \begin{tabbing}

Quick Start Examples

Its a good idea to try the Quick Start Examples for a number of common functions to get the flavour of DDLab before reading the detailed manual.

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Last modified: July 2003