Step by step filter based program for calculations of highly informative derivative curves

We have developed a microcomputer program, based on a recently described ap proach called step by step filter (SBSF), for calculation of derivative cur ves directly from spectra recorded as a function of wavelength. This progra m avoids the long wavelength attenuation featured at conventional method fo r derivative curves calculation, and in this extent could be very helpful f or daily spectroscopy practice. The features of the SBSF program include: e asy treatment of data through a windowed environment, calculating of both c onventional and step by step filter derivatives, possibilities for selectio n of the mathematical conditions for smoothing and differentiation simultan eous plotting of the original curve and its derivative and a mouse pointer. Several examples from different branches of the molecular spectroscopy (ab sorption UV-VIS, CD and fluorescence) are provided and discussed in the ter ms of advantages of SBSF. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.