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

We have developed a microcomputer program, based on a recently described approach called step by step filter (SBSF), for calculation of derivative curves directly from spectra recorded as a function of wavelength. This program avoids the long wavelength attenuation featured at conventional method for derivative curves calculation, and in this extent could be very helpful for daily spectroscopy practice. The features of the SBSF program include: easy treatment of data through a windowed environment, calculating of both conventional and step by step filter derivatives, possibilities for selection of the mathematical conditions for smoothing and differentiation simultaneous plotting of the original curve and its derivative and a mouse pointer. Several examples from different branches of the molecular spectroscopy (absorption UV-VIS, CD and fluorescence) are provided and discussed in the terms of advantages of SBSF.