The C CATAM Software Library (CCATSL)

The C CATAM Software Library (CCATSL)

Updated 4th January 2010

CCATSL 2.3b does run under Windows 7 as long as you download a modified startup script from here.

Version 2.3b of CCATSL is available for PCs running Windows XP and Vista.

The package consists of the gcc compiler, the emacs editor and the CCATSL function library, together with other optional useful tools such as the gdb program debugger and the gnuplot graph-plotting program.

Version 2.3b can be download from here; the file size is 98Mb.

If you are using Internet Explorer or Firefox click on the above link using the right-hand mouse button and then select "Save Target As" (Explorer) or "Save Link As" (Firefox). Make sure that the size of the downloaded file is correct.

You should unistall any old version of CCATSL before installing version 2.3!

You should also reboot your computer after uninstalling so that some user and system environment variables are removed. Version 2.3 does allow users to set the memory stack size by the use of a user environment variable. With no variable set, the default size is 8Mb, if you want to change this, set the user variable CCATSLSTACK to something else e.g. 10000000. To set the user variable, right click on 'My Computer' and choose properties. A new window will appear called 'System Properties'. Click on the 'Advanced' tab, then click on the 'Environment Variables' button. The top half of the window shows the User variables, the lower shows the System variables. Add the new User variable here, call it CCATSLSTACK and set its value to something like 10000000.

VISTA USERS PLEASE NOTE: For people installing v2.3 running under Vista, download a modified startup script from here (right click and choose 'Save Link As') and save it in the root of the CCATSL install e.g. C:\CATAM2.3\. This file replaces startup.bat. You need to have installed v2.3 first!

Historical information regarding version 2.2a

Contents

Download the CCATSL software

You will need about 27Mbyte of free disk space to store the installer program, ccatsl2.2a.exe, plus an additional 105Mbyte for the installed software. You can delete the installer program after installing the software - just be careful not to delete or overwrite any important files afterwards!

Download ccatsl2.2a.exe (27,247,176 bytes).

If you are using Internet Explorer or Firefox click on the above link using the right-hand mouse button and then select "Save Target As" (Explorer) or "Save Link As" (Firefox). Make sure that the size of the downloaded file is correct.

If you experience problems downloading the file (typically the download "freezes" at 99% complete), check your anti-virus software and turn off virus checking of downloads. If the problem persists contact the CATAM help-line.

If your home computer is not connected to the Internet you can ask the Catam helpline for a copy of the software on CD-ROM. Only a limited number of CDs are available (we do not have mass-production facilities) so please do not ask for a CD unless you really need to. Please return the CD to CMS reception for recycling when you have finished with it. There is no charge.

To start the installation process, open the folder where you saved the installer and double click on ccatsl2.2a.exe. You will be asked for the name of the folder where you want to install the CCATSL software. The default value, C:\Program Files\CATAM, is recommended.

After installing the software restart your computer.

You need to install a patch program for 2.2a. This fixes a number of issues, most of which occur when 2.2a has been installed on a computer that has the previous version - 2.1, installed. Installing over 2.1 and trying to start 2.2a can result in an emacs error 'Not Enough Arguments for Format String'. Download the patch from HERE and install it.

Run the application, select the location of the \CATAM directory, check your environment variables and run the final section that fixes a number of registry and emacs lisp errors. Once complete, log out and back in again, 2.2a should now be in a working state. If all looks well, you can uninstall the patch (the uninstall program can be found in the Start Menu).

To start the emacs editor to create and run programs click on

There is comprehensive on-line help available. Your programs will be stored in My Documents\catam-projects.

Much of the software provided is freely available under the terms of the GNU General Public License. Mail catam@maths.cam.ac.uk if you want to know where to obtain source code for the compiler and editor software.

More example programs.

The following example programs are referred to in the CCATSL Manual but are not included in the installer.

LaTeX text formatting.

LaTeX (rhymes with trek) is a computer "language" used for producing very high quality printed output. It is widely used by the research community and is particularly good for producing scientific reports and books containing mathematical formulae. Here are instructions fordownloading and installing LaTeX.

CCATSL for use with other compilers.

The source code for the CCATSL numerical functions is provided for those who wish to use an alternative Windows C compiler or an alternative operating system such as linux.

CCATSL Manual.

An online version of the CCATSL2.3 manual can be found HERE.

David Harris/Chris Mortimer

DAMTP

University of Cambridge