Life

This document describes the LIFE (Library File Entry) program, a data storage and retrieval system designed for use with the PDP-12 Signal Processing Programs. Its primary purpose is to characterize and store spectral data acquired from samples, creating a "library" of spectra. It then allows for the identification of unknown samples by comparing their spectra to this library, a process referred to as "fingerprinting."

The minimum hardware requirement is a PDP-12A computer with 8K of core memory, with support for RK8 or RF08 disks.

The program's main operational modes include:

1. Generating New Spectra: This involves defining instruments and spectra, then using an interactive display to locate and characterize prominent features (peaks) within the spectrum. Commands allow for manipulating the display size, applying baseline corrections, setting offsets, fixing specific X and Y peak values (up to 95 points), and printing selected peak data before saving.
2. Identifying Unknown Spectra: Users can search the existing LIFE library for spectra that share similar characteristics with a newly defined spectrum. This search can be customized with specified absolute or percentage error tolerances for both X and Y peak parameters, and an allowable number of non-matching peaks (misses).
3. Printing: This mode enables the generation of an index of the entire LIFE library or a detailed printout of peak values for a specific spectrum under a defined instrument.
4. Erasing: Provides options to delete data from the library, including the entire library, all spectra associated with a particular instrument, or a single spectrum entry.
5. Returning to DIAL: Allows the user to exit the LIFE program and return to the DIAL system.

The document also covers error messages, assembly instructions, and includes appendices detailing displayed messages, core memory maps, and the structure of LIFE data on tape/disk.