All agents have some common characteristics that are specified in a file of the form CA_name.pref. Files located on the server or on the individual workstations will be read an acted upon by the server or the client. A sample file called CA_comm.pref is shown below:
cascade agent comm exec; /usr/users/aug/augment/CASCADE\_FILES/bin/comm pixmap; /usr/users/aug/augment/CASCADE\_FILES/comm.xpm bitmap; /usr/users/aug/augment/CASCADE\_FILES/comm.xbm label; comm font; ``FQ xfont name'' bg; Fore Ground bg; ``HEXSPEC'' or ``RGBTXTNAME'' startState; ready iconIdle; /usr/users/aug/augment/CASCADE\_FILES/agent.xpm iconReady; /usr/users/aug/augment/CASCADE\_FILES/agent.xpm iconActive; /usr/users/aug/augment/CASCADE\_FILES/agent.xpm lifetime; session
The first line of the file provides a confirmation that this is a CASCADE agent preference file and confirms the name of the agent. The remaining lines specify information about the agent -- the executable, icon information, and when and how the agent should be started and terminated.