HP3000/HP 3000 FAQ

Last Updated: Thursday, February 01, 2007 02:38 PM

What are the AIFs and why would I use them?

6.3. What are the AIFs and why would I use them?

SS
There are AIF "packages" for:

1. OS info/control (AIF:OS)
2. Measurement Interface (AIF:MI)
3. Procedure Exits (AIF:PE)

The manual part# for AIF:OS is 36374-90001. AIF:OS lets you access and/or modify: system wide info, accounting info, file info (both "global" and "local" (process-local)), job/session info, process info, reply info, spooler info, system configuration info, and device info.

The AIF:PE lets you intercept intrinsics, and a number of interesting routines within the operating system (including within the Command Interpreter).

AIF:MI lets you silently eat 5 to 40% of your computer. :) (I've never used AIF:MI, but base my statements on *easily* reproducible experiments that I've published over the last year or so.) (BTW, it's not AIF:MI's fault, I think, but the MI itself.)

If I recall correctly, AIF:OS is inexpensive, AIF:MI is expensive, and I don't remember about AIF:PE.

I highly recommend all the AIFs!

6.3.1. Are AIF instrinsics on every HP system so I can distribute an application to a target system without worry?

SS
Yes. The intrinsic declaration files probably aren't...I believe they come when you purchase the product ... but they aren't needed at run time, just compile time.

Note: some older releases don't have all of the AIF:xxx procedures, and (of course), really old releases don't have any of them. Also, as with any code, bugs are fixed over time, and new bugs are introduced at times.

CB
Actually, when you purchase the "AIF" products, you are actually purchasing an Intrinsics file and manual; the routines are already out there - the "AIF" product just shows you how to use them (and I believe also allows you to get an authorized "vendor" code which identifies your software which uses the AIFs).