Operation Programming interface

Out-of-the-box HTS informatics software solutions with integrated functionality of all three operational components (HTS data, plate and sample tracking, chemical structures) include ActivityBase from IDBS, Assay Explorer from Symyx (former MDL), BioAssay Enterprise from CambridgeSoft, Accord Enterprise (Accelrys), Chemlnnovation (CBIS), and others. However, we recommend careful evaluation of functionality, usability, architecture, and availability of a published application programming interface (API) if the system is to be integrated with other informatics components. Because the commercial solutions have different strengths, one answer is to combine different components or build certain functionalities in-house. 

NetBIOS Acronym for Network Basic Input/Output System. In networking, a layer of software, originally developed in 1984 by IBM and Sytek, that links a network operating system with specific network hardware. NetBIOS provides an application program interface (API) with a consistent set of commands for requesting lower-level network services to transmit information from node to node. 

Allaire offers versions that run under Microsoft Windows NT and the Unix-based operating systems Solaris and HP-UX. ColdFusion programs interface with many different Web server APIs to provide greater efficiency than traditional CGI programs. 

Because the application programming interface (API) for socket programming uses system calls, the overhead associated with an application that communicates through the socket interface is rather small. However, because API is very primitive, socket programming depends on operating systems and the development of a system with a socket interface becomes complicated. For example, where programmers develop a system in which communications between processes on different platforms (such as Windows and UNIX) are required, they should master several versions of socket API supported by each platform. 

The two operating systems interface with the Octopus network environment to provide parallel services for applications programs. This compatibility is reflected in the use of the general term, Livermore Time Sharing System (LTSS), to encompass both systems. FROST and FLOE interface with the Octopus network to provide interactive and file transfer support for the over 700 on-site terminals and the LLL mass storage devices. Each operating system occupies about twenty percent of the resident worker computer s core memory with approximately three-fifths of this space allotted to system tables. 

A system interface is a point where two or more systems connect across their physical and/or functional boundaries such that the output of one system is the input to the others or vice versa. System interfaces allow two systems (or subsystem) to interact. Interfaces provide the interconnectedness of systems and subsystems. An interface provides a common boundary between two things, such as between two systems, two subsystems, or a user and the system. A system interface is the method and place whereby two systems can communicate with one another across a common boundary. For example, an operating system interface is a set of commands or actions that an operating system can perform and a way for a computer program or person to activate them. The same concept applies to subsystem interfaces. 

The control of the airborne sound location system, the coupling monitor and the real-time evaluation of all signals, including the echo indications from the ultrasonic instrument, is carried out on two additional boards in the PC. The graphic user interface (under Windows 95), including online help, enables an easy operation of the system. The evaluation program links all echo indications in real time with the probe position and displays them in a graphic repre-... 

Computer monitoring and control systems have recently been introduced. These are designed to operate in place of conventional instrumentation. Using intelligent interface outstations connected to a desktop computer, many plant functions may be programed into the computer and controlled centrally. 

Figure A2.1 Waters ProMonix On-Line HPLC analyzer. The upper compartment door contains a keypad for programming and operation of the analyzer. The upper window allows viewing of indicator lights and a liquid crystal display that provides the operator with analyzer interface, programmed parameters, and instrument status results. The lower chamber contains the pumps, valves, injector, and detector(s) required for the chromatographic separation. The sample conditioning plate for online process monitoring is to the right of the analyzer. This is a typical process HPLC. (From Cotter, R.L. and Li, J.B., Lab Rob Autom., 1, 251,1989. With permission of VCH Publishers.)...

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