Plugins

Plugins are a scheme for modifying the data in a library without changing the MSP Librarian app. This is called filtering.

For example you might find that the CAS numbers in your starting library have been recorded without the dashes (which means that they are technically not CAS numbers) or perhaps some lines start with " which means they are not read as intended.
Likewise you might want to make integer mass versions of all the peaks when you write out the new file.
You could use a text editor to modify you file, but there are limits to the practicality of that.

The Plugins are a way to solve this type of problem, but they come at a price; they are programatic. [Plugin Programming]

There are two types of plugins: Ones that are applied when reading data in and one that are applied when writing data out.

When MSP Librarian starts it checks to see if there are any plugin files in the application folder. If there are any the Plugin button is displayed. (See the images below)

• A grey button image means nothing has been selected.
• An orange button image means at least one Plugin has been selected.
• The Plugin button is hidden if there are no plugin dll in the app folder.
  
  
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Clicking the Plugin button opens the Plugin Editor.
This lists all the available Plugins, split by Read or Write, and shows a dynamic preview of the selected Plugins for the first entry in the currently selected library. If the selected entry is a User library the preview is blank.

Plugins are applied in their order in the list. It is important to set the order you want otherwise you might get unexpected consequences.
Here is an example using two of the example write-filters (Adds Boo! and Adds Woah!) and the Captital Cities example file.

Start with No Filters

Then "Adds Woah!" first, "Adds Boo!" second.

Swap them over so it is "Adds Boo!" first, "Adds Woah!" second.