Setting Up Initial Resources
WXP Resource File
WXP has an internal list of parameters called resources which are used to tailor input and output of data, analyses, etc. Each resource has a preset value which is program dependent. In many cases, these preset values are either the same or similar for all programs. Even though WXP presets these resources, they often don't work in the most working environments. As a result, it is necessary to modify resource defaults in a resource file. This resource file is read in prior to performing any computations and analyses.
Resource File Location
The default filename is wxp.cfg which WXP expects to find in the current working directory. This file can be placed in a common location such as /home/wxp/etc or /usr/local/wxp/etc so that all users can access it. WXP will automatically search all those directories for the resource file. If the resource file is not in those directories or is named something different, the wxpdefault environment variable must be set to the directory in which the resource file is located:
> export wxpdefault=/home/miller/.wxpdef
or
> export wxpdefault=/usr/local/etc
More than one file can be specified separated by colons. WXP processes the files in the order listed. The last file takes precedence.
If needed, the wxpdefault environment variable should be set in the login shell's startup script (e.g..bashrc or .cshrc).
WXP Resource File Contents
A sample resource file wxp-sample.cfg is available in the etc directory. Look for the following resources:
# # Global resources # *file_path: /home/wxp/etc *data_path: /mnt/noaaport/nwstg/data *model_path: /mnt/noaaport/nwstg/model *text_path: /mnt/noaaport/nwstg/text *sat_path: /mnt/noaaport/sat *con_path: /mnt/noaaport/wxp/convert *watch_path: /mnt/noaaport/nwstg/data # # NIDS resources # nids.data_path: /mnt/noaaport/nwstg/nids
The first resource listed is the "file_path" resource which determines the location of database files.
The other path resources tell WXP where to find other pieces of data. For example, data_path points to the location of raw input data, usually for decoders, con_path is where the decoded/converted output goes, model_path is where model grids are stored.
Last updated: Oct 2026