A Web-based GUI for the set up and maintenance of the wave models at the naval oceanographic office

The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) runs the Wave Model (WAM) and Steady-State Spectral Wave Model (STWAVE) in many areas throughout the world. Nearly 60 different areas need to be run two times a day, and around 90 graphical products are produced and displayed on the World Wide Web. To assist operational modelers set up and maintain the model run stream, we have devised a Web based GUI. Recent improvements in the NAVOCEANO wave model run stream allow creation of such a GUI in a logical manner. Therefore, the authors will first review these recent improvements and show how they allow easier interface with a GUI. These improvements include a stable WAM and STWAVE run stream, lists of model domains kept in flat files similar to database tables, and robust scripts that run WAM and STWAVE. These improvements are the basis for the GUI. The GUI uses a number of free packages including the LINUX operating system, the Apache Web server, the MySQL database server, and the Generic Mapping Tools. The GUI contains a number of distinct tables corresponding to distinct model objects. Examples of objects include WAM models, WAM graphics, and WAM output spectra. Each object has a distinct set of associated widgets, associated constraints, and associated routines used to construct the model object. Widgets, constraints, and routines are also stored in a relational database. The GUI operates through a series of four procedures. The functionality of the system comes from entering and changing entries in the database tables. By being able to add widgets and constraints by adding entries into a database table, we save a great deal of time. To add new model objects, users create a new table and tie in creation subroutines around the new object. A meta GUI runs on top of the GUI to automate this process. The authors will demonstrate features of the interface. We will show screen shots demonstrating the set up of a typical WAM model. The authors discuss strengths and weaknesses of their approach against other approaches.