linkage user's guide (version 5.2)


3.0 Overview

The analysis programs fall into two groups. Programs in the first group (ILINK, MLINK, LINKMAP, LODSCORE) are designed for calculations in general pedigrees. Those in the second group (CILINK, CMAP ) are optimized for three-generational pedigrees with codominant markers; they cannot be used for general pedigrees or for disease loci. CILINK and CMAP are the equivalent of ILINK and LINKMAP for three-generational pedigrees. (The "C" preface refers to the CEPH reference panel of families which has this three-generation structure.)

Each analysis program is described in a separate section in this chapter. Programs for preprocessing the input data are described in Chapter 4 . The calling sequence, i.e. the order in which the data-preprocessing and analysis programs are invoked, is given under the program description.

The programs contain certain constants that establish limits on the number of loci, alleles, etc. that can be analyzed. These constants can be changed, and the programs recompiled if larger values are required. Important constants that recur in several programs are described in section 3.1 .


previous : 2. structure of input data
next : 3.1 constants
up: 3.analysis programs