The pgplot package developed by Tim Pearson at CalTech provides the underlying graphics display. These workshops, and other demonstrations of the system at astronomical meetings around the world were used to develop a user interface and functionality will meet the needs of astronomers. The parameters within each database are predefined and tailored to the function of that database. The parameter fields contain either a numeric value or a character string. Parameter fields may contain observation details, results of data analysis, and the filenames of associated data products or files.
Every parameter has a name and a number associated with it.
Either the name or the number can be used to specify the parameter. If the parameter is from the current database, then the current database name is used by default. The database name need only be specified when two or more base tables are accessed simultaneously. These entry numbers are not unique and they change if the current index is changed, or if the selection of entries is changed. Samples allow pointers to selected records to be saved in a file for later recall.