NAME initst - initialize all standard files and common variables needed for the software tools primitives SYNOPSIS call initst DESCRIPTION This routine is generally the first routine called by any program desiring to use the software tools primitives. It opens STDIN, STDOUT, and ERROUT files, performing any file substitutions indicated on the command line. It also prepares the list of arguments needed by getarg and sets up any buffers, variables, etc. needed by the software tools primitives. On many systems, the calls to 'initst' and 'endst' are done automatically either by having the ratfor preprocessor insert them into the code, or by having the system itself call them before executing the user's program. IMPLEMENTATION 'Initst' initializes any common blocks, variables, buffers, arrays, or whatever is necessary to allow the other software tools primitives to operate. It may also have to retrieve (via 'makarg') the list of command arguments passed to the program, if this is not automatically available from the operating system. 'Initst' is also responsible for parsing the command line to determine if there have been any file substitutions for STDIN, STDOUT, or ERROUT. The appropriate files (either the user's terminal or the substitutions) are then opened and properly positioned. Arrangements are made so that 'getarg' won't pick up standard file substitution flags on subsequent calls (probably by a call to 'delarg'). SEE ALSO endst, getarg, delarg DIAGNOSTICS If initst cannot function for some reason, the program generally aborts (possibly without an error message since the standard error file may not have been opened).