A hypertext-like approach to navigating through the GCG sequence analysis package

Abstract

Programs of the recently released Unix version of the Genetics Computing Group (GCG) sequence analysis package can now be accessed via a user-friendly hypertext-like navigation system, HYGCG. The resultant system organizes the diverse suite of programs into logical groups, and provides a guide and explanation of commands. In addition, for users unfamiliar with the Unix operating system, the program also provides a similar interface to commonly used Unix commands. Options for personal customization and expansion to accommodate GCG extensions and other software are also provided. This system should be useful especially to the inexperienced or infrequent user as context-sensitive on-line help is provided within this simple and consistent approach. Written in the C language and using the curses and termcap libraries, the system is easily portable to most Unix environments and has been made freely available via anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP) through the Internet global computer network. No modification of the GCG package is needed.