A number of tools are provided with Ferret to assist with Unix-level activities: on-line help, converting data to Ferret's formats, locating files, etc. They are located in the Ferret installation area—typically $FER_DIR/bin. See the chapter "Copmuting Environment", section "Setting up to run Ferret", if the tools are not available on-line. They are described below.

Faddpath Usage: Faddpath new_path
Faddpath will add a new path name to the default lists of directories that Ferret searches a) in response to the SET DATA command; b) when looking for grid definition files; c) when looking for data files.

Fdata Usage: Fdata data_file_substring
Searches the list of directories contained in the environment variable FER_DATA to find the data files whose names contain the indicated substring. For example,

% Fdata coads

locates the data files containing "coads" in their names. (Use this command to locate netCDFdata sets by giving the string "cdf".)

Fdescr Usage: Fdescr des_name_substring
Searches the list of directories contained in the environment variable FER_DESCR to find the descriptor files whose names contain the indicated substring. For example,

% Fdescr coads

locates the descriptor files containing "coads" in their names. ("Fdescr .des" will list all accessible descriptors.)

Fenv Usage: Fenv
Prints the values of environment variables used by Ferret

Fgo Usage: Fgo name_substring
Searches the list of directories contained in the environment variable FER_GO to find the GO command files whose names contain the indicated substring. For example,

% Fgo grid

locates the Ferret tools that contain "grid".

Fgrids Usage: Fgrids gridfile_substring
Searches the list of directories contained in the environment variable FER_GRIDS to find the grid definition files whose names contain the indicated substring. For example,

% Fgrids fnoc

locates the grid definition files containing "fnoc" in their names. ("Fgrids .grd" will list all accessible grid files.)

Fpalette Usage: Fpalette name_substring
Searches the list of directories contained in the environment variable FER_PALETTE to find the palette files whose names contain the indicated substring. For example,

% Fpalette blue

locates the palette files containing "blue" in their names.

Fpurge Usage: Fpurge filename_template
Fpurge is a support routine to manage multiple versions of files created by Ferret—particularly journal files and graphic metafiles. Fpurge will remove all versions of a file except the current version. For example, "Fpurge ferret.jnl" will eliminate all past versions of ferret.jnl in the current directory.

Fsort Usage: Fsort filename_template
Fsort is a support routine for sorting file versions. Fsort reorders the incorrect ordering of emacs-style version numbers assigned by the Unix "ls" utility. For example, when sorting, ls will place filename.~19~ before filename.~2~. "Fsort filename*" will take care of this problem. Fsort may be used in Unix pipes.