ODDC and MULTIGRAPH: programs for spectrophotometer data collection and manipulation using a microcomputer

A software package is described that collects, graphs, performs peak sensing, and prints data from a spectrophotometer interfaced to an Apple II microcomputer with an ADALAB analog-to-digital converter card. Data collection and storage is performed by an interpreted BASIC program with machine language subroutines. Recalling, graphing, and printout of the data is accomplished by a separate compiled BASIC program. Both of these programs, as well as assisting utility programs, are under control of a menu program. The programs take advantage of all available memory in the 64-K Apple II computer to allow for storage of up to 12 600 data points (7 hours of data collection at a sampling rate of 1 sample every 2 s). As the data collection program provides peak sensing, and the capability of annotating various time points, the programs are ideally suited for use in column chromatography.