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6.5 What are modules?

In Explorer a module is like a programme that can be run within the Explorer environment. Numerous modules have been provided, each performing a different operation: reading in files, slicing data, viewing images, etc. The user can also write their own modules, or add modules which have been provided by others.

All Modules contain the following features:

• the name of the module - this is placed at the top of the module
• a circle in the top right corner - clicking on this with the left mouse button enlarges the module box to allow the user to see the widgets provided
• a square in the top right corner - clicking on this with the left mouse button will open a larger window of the controls (a help option is available in the help menu on the control bar of this window)
• a menu - this can be obtained by clicking the right mouse button on the top bar of the module (clicking on the module window produces a different menu). This menu contains things like refire which will restart the module, duplicate, disable, interrupt and the help menu mentioned above
• two horizontal bars which are positioned underneath the title - these are the input and output ports which are used to connect the modules together to create a map.

The help option contains a brief explanation of the function of the module as well as the input and output port requirements. A description of the widgets and any known problems and related modules is also included. This option proves useful, especially with new modules, in determining what form the input and output ports require.

Clicking the right button on either the input or output port will give the user a list of connections and what type they must be. Connecting modules together can often be a trial and error task, although experience and looking at maps that have already been created will help.

A data import module called ReadQCD, which was written using a package called dscribe, has been used in all the maps created to read in the data for QCD visualisation.