>>> rm ~/adam/ndf2fits.sdf
>
>> Any explanation, or pointers to documentation on this?
>
> This is a frequently encountered problem usually caused when you break into a running task
> with CTRL/C in the old VMS days and CTRL/Z on UNIX. The HDS file isn't closed properly
> and upon accessing the file again HDS complains when all the ducks aren't in a row---the file
> is corrupt. That's the DAT__INCHK, Integrity check.
>
> While it can occur to any HDS file, the most usual victim is the parameter file, as happened to you.
> If you're responding to prompts for parameters and want to exit cleanly, enter !! at a prompt.
> Do not break in.
>
> How do you know which HDS file is bad? The clue here is the
>> ! Locator refers to an object 'OUT' which no longer exists (possible
>> ! programming error or corrupted HDS container file).
>
> OUT is the name of an NDF2FITS parameter. A parameter name can occasionally be an NDF
> component too. Try HDSTRACE to see which fails. It should be easier than that. I thought we
> had improved the parameter system to recommend the user remove a named parameter file, if
> the parameter system encounters a DAT__INCHK.
>
> Another one to watch for is the graphics database (usually ~/agi_<computer_name>.sdf). That's
> another file which should be removed periodically.
>
> There is advice in SUN/95 "Exiting an Application", some details about DA__INCHK in SUN/92.
> I should add a new item into the SUN/95 "Problems, problems" section with DAT__INCHK in the
> title so that findme will locate it quickly.
This is all great information - thanks Malcolm!
>
> Don't get stuck for two days. There's a lot to learn in Starlink software and we can help. This
> error is one we veterans immediately recognize.
I didn't initially suspect that Starlink was to blame for my problem. I didn't want to pester the team with IT support-type questions. It was only when other more likely looking alternatives were exhausted that I thought of asking for help from Starlink support. Hindsight is 20-20, but I'll likely be quicker to ask if anything like this should crop up again.
Thanks for your support!
Matt
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