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1.1 Introduction

Standards are too often perceived as useless constraints. They are nevertheless indispensable to ensure:

• simple and coherent interactions between the software users and the software itself (man-machine interface), and
• correct and efficient data transfers between the modules in the software package.

This user guide will attempt to describe the MODULEF standards, whatever the level of utilization may be, from activating existing black boxes to developing new modules. Certain general concepts illustrate the different levels:

• Reading the data in free format;
• Defining algebraic functions ( function interpreter);
• Manipulating dynamic arrays;
• Transferring results from one module to another, by an intermediary standardized Data Structure;
• Calling a module, or programming it with the aid of algorithms and utilities.