Command and Data Pipe questions

Original post by E.D.G.  September 29, 2008

Information is need regarding how to start and use command and data
"pipes" 
between Gnuplot and other programs such Perl and Basic language programs.

This information collection effort is starting here.  Once the Gnuplot
part 
of the picture is understood the effort will probably move on to a Perl 
Newsgroup for additional details.

Background Information  -  Perl and Basic language computer programs that 
have been developed over the years by an informal research group I am in
are 
using Gnuplot for graphics generation.  The Windows Vista, XP, and 98 
operating systems are being used.  Other systems such as Unix will added 
with time.  One of the major programs being developed is almost completed.

Plans are to circulate it to professional and amateur researchers around
the 
world as "freeware."  And this present effort involves getting some 
additional details settled before the release.

At the moment, data and commands are stored in files.  And wgnuplot.exe is

then told to load the command files and plot information in the data
files. 
This is an interactive process controlled by a Perl language program.  And

it does not work with the greatest efficiency.  We would like to try to
see 
if using pipes between the programs would work better.

Information might also be shared through the clipboard.  However I am not 
sure if Gnuplot can even read or send information to the Windows
clipboard.

QUESTIONS

What Gnuplot program or programs have to be used for that pipes like that?

It sounds like both pgnuplot.exe and wpnuplot.exe need to be used at the 
same time.

What command should be used to start the appropriate Gnuplot program so
that 
an input command pipe can be used?  Should pgnuplot be started, or 
wgnuplot.exe?  Or should a .gnu file be started that will automatically
call 
one of the Gnuplot .exe programs?

What Gnuplot commands are used to have Gnuplot send data back or commands 
back to a program such as a Perl language program?  Does the Perl program 
have to do anything in order to receive the data?  I would imagine that it

needs to execute an "open input file" type statement.