psfaddtable

psfaddtable [options] table [input]

table
    The name of the PSF table to modify.

input
    The input file containing the data to add or update. If omitted, data is read from standard input.

-c
    Key column used to update existing records. If not specified, new records are added.

-t
    Treats empty lines as new records.

-b
    Specifies the batch size to use for faster import.

-v
    Verbose mode. Print additional information.

The psfaddtable command is used to add or update records in a PSF (Probabilistic Source Finder) table. It allows users to insert new entries into a table based on input values, update existing entries based on a specified key column, or perform a combination of both. The command reads the input data (usually from a file or standard input), parses it, and then applies the information to the target PSF table. The command requires a valid PSF table schema and the input data must conform to that schema. It supports various data types and operations as defined in the PSF standard. Understanding the structure and contents of the PSF table is crucial for using this command effectively. It's a critical tool for manipulating and managing source catalogs in astronomical data processing pipelines. This command often interacts with other PSF utilities, such as psfcreate, psfedit, and psfselect, in a broader workflow.

The structure of the input data file should be compatible with the PSF table format. Ensure the data types of the input match the table's column types to prevent errors. Using the `-c` parameter without understanding its implications can lead to unintended data overwrites.
The command might have some limitations in terms of number of lines which can be added or updated.

The input data needs to be properly formatted according to the PSF table definition. Usually it is a tab-separated file or fits table that contains the data that is being written or updated.

psfaddtable command performs error checking on the data being added. However, the exact error handling capabilities might differ between different versions of the PSF software. It is important to check the error messages and logs when any issues are encountered.

The psfaddtable command has been developed in the context of astronomical data processing, where large datasets of source catalogs are common. Its development is closely tied to the evolution of the PSF (Probabilistic Source Finder) standard and related software tools. It's primarily used by astronomers and data scientists to manage and manipulate source information extracted from astronomical images. The command's usage has likely evolved alongside advancements in data processing techniques and the increasing size of astronomical datasets.

psfcreate(1), psfedit(1), psfselect(1)