next up previous contents index
Next: ACS Connection Configuration Up: OT Installation and Configuration Previous: Installation and Run Details   Contents   Index

OT Configuration

Using Java Web Start or the tarball installation procedure, the OT software has a default configuration suitable for general users. The Observing Tool's properties are read at the OT startup.

  1. The OT comes with a set of factory settings or properties. These properties are contained in the binaries of the application. Technically speaking, they are contained in the file called ObservingTool.properties which is looked up in the application's classpath - that is, in the .jar file distributed with the application and not distributed separately.

  2. The system then looks for an optional properties file (also called ObservingTool.properties ) in the startup directory; if the file is not found there, the system looks in the .almaot subdirectory of the user's home directory. If an optional properties file is found, its values override the factory settings. The OT requires proper definition of these properties.

    The current set of required properties is:

    A set of required properties must be defined in the configuration: if any one of them is not defined, the application terminates. These properties are subject to change as the tool evolves. It is not expected that you will need to change them, in particular not when using the OT in a User Test.

  3. Finally, the system considers values given on the command line, like -Dparam=value , which override any previously set values. This is only recommended for the Integration and Test Subsystem team ITS).


next up previous contents index
Next: ACS Connection Configuration Up: OT Installation and Configuration Previous: Installation and Run Details   Contents   Index
The ALMA OT Team, 2011 May 20