Data Access Routines

The Data Access Routines are a set of FORTRAN 77 subroutines which may be incorporated into user-written software for the purposes of navigating and manipulating the data held within a Marine project. The anticipated use of this facility will be the creation of interfaces to other software packages (for example, material take-off, pipe stress, isometrics).

The Data Access Routines provide the tools necessary for the user to extract attribute values from the model. This takes the form of a subroutine library which can be divided into the following functions:

• Initialization

• Navigation

• Attribute retrieval

• Error handling

• Utility routines

The initialization routines allow access to the requested Marine project and MDB configuration in line with the normal Marine entry procedure. The routines open all authorised databases in read mode only. The navigation routines follow the current Marine navigation techniques and standards. The Marine concept of 'current element' is thus maintained. All data attributes are retrieved by first moving to the required element using the navigation routines, and then calling the appropriate attribute retrieval routine.

No facilities are provided for writing or updating data in Marine databases.