# 4. Running the programs¶

The MVI software package uses three main programs:

All programs in the package can be executed within Windows or Linux environments. They can be run by typing the program name followed by a control file in the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux). They can be executed directly on the command line or in a shell script or batch file. When a program is executed without any arguments, it will print the usage to screen.

## 4.4. Execution on a single computer¶

The command format and control/input file format on a single machine are described below. Within the command prompt or terminal, any of the programs can be called using:

program arg$$_1$$ [arg$$_2$$ $$\cdots$$ arg$$_i$$]

where:

• program: the name of the executable
• arg$$_i$$: a command line argument, which can be the name of a required or optional file. Typing as the control file, serves as a help function and returns an example input file. Some executables do not require control files and should be followed by multiple arguments instead. This will be discussed in more detail later in this section. Optional command line arguments are specified by brackets: [ ]

Each control file contains a formatted list of arguments, parameters and filenames in a combination and sequence specific to the executable; which requires this control file. Different control file formats will be explained further in the document for each executable.

## 4.5. Execution on a local network or commodity cluster¶

The MVI program library’s main programs are currently not setup to use Message Pass Interface (MPI).