%++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
%.COPYRIGHT  (c)  1990-2010 European Southern Observatory
%.IDENT      read_tabl.hlq
%.AUTHOR     JDP, IPG/ESO
%.KEYWORDS   MIDAS, help files, READ/TABLE
%.PURPOSE    On-line help file for the command: READ/TABLE
%.VERSION    1.0  17-OCT-1983 : Creation, JDP
%----------------------------------------------------------------
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SECTION./TABL
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READ/TABLE					15-JAN-2010  JDP
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READ/TABLE table [column_sel] [row_sel] [form]
	display table elements
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Purpose:      
              Read table elements.
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Syntax:       READ/TABLE table [column_sel] [row_sel] [form]
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              table      = table name
\ap\pa
              column_sel = column reference(s) of the listed column(s);
                  the comma is used to separate columns, usually only one ":"
                  is necessary at the beginning, e.g. :a,b,c
                  All the columns are listed by default.
		  Column names starting with the letter "s" need to be 
		  entered with ":", e.g. :a,b,:some_column,c 
		  because otherwise they are interpreted as column :SEQUENCE
\ap\pa
              row_sel = sequence numbers of the row(s) to be printed, 
                  commas can be used for enumeration, and a double
                  dot for ranges 
                  All the rows are listed by default.
\ap\pa
              form = optional format file (type .FMT)
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See also:
              PRINT/TABLE, WRITE/TABLE, COPY/TBROW, SHOW/TABLE, CREATE/TABLE
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Note:         
              If the format file is included, only the columns referenced by
              the DEFINE/FIELD command are listed (see the command CREATE/TABLE
	      for description of the format files.)
	         !OJO! Column names will be printed in the header line with 
	      the length of the column entries. 
	      This might lead to a significant abbreviation of the column name,
	      e.g., if the column entries consist of one digit, only the first
	      character of the column name will appear.
	      Use a format file to avoid confusion among columns with similar
	      names. The command SHOW/TABLE displays the complete column name.
                 The NULL values will be listed as a "*" for all types of 
              columns except for character columns. In that case they will be 
              listed as an empty field.   
	         Instead of READ/TABLE the short form: 
	      {tablename},:{columnname},{rownumber} 
	      e.g. mytable,:radvel,20 can be used to access a single table
	      element. 
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Examples:
\ex
              READ/TABLE mytable :RA,DEC @1..10,1000,9999..
                Display the columns :RA and :DEC in rows 1 to 10, 1000, and 
                from 9999 to the end of table `mytable.tbl'.
\xe\ex 
              READ/TABLE mytable :RA,:SKY,DEC
                Display all rows of the columns :RA, then :SKY, and :DEC of 
                `mytable.tbl'.
\xe\ex 
              READ/TABLE values.fits @22
                Display all columns at row 22 of FITS table `values.fits'.
\xe\sxe
