GEODAS Data Search and Retrieval Output Files
The operation of the GEODAS Data Search and Retrieval application leads to the creation of various files, some
as end products for the user and some for use by the software itself. These files
have a standardized file nameing scheme. The file name is generally the Search
KEY followed by a specific file extension. The particular extension identifies
the type of file saved. For example, a Postscript plot file created for a Search
with key "anykey" would have a filename of anykey.ps.
User files are saved in subdirectory named as key directly under the working directory.
(Downloaded data files can be an exception. The user can choose to change both the name and location
of the saved files.) Also, when data is saved as individual survey files, the filename is the
NGDC Number
followed by the file extension.
The scheme is as follows:
[Search KEY].lss - ASCII file, concise summary listing
of Search results.
[Search KEY].lsl - ASCII file, complete summary listing
of Search results.
[Search KEY].ps - ASCII PostScript(tm) plot file
of Search results, ready to send to a postscript printer.
[Search Key].h?? - ASCII file containing Headers resulting
from Search, extension depending on format/database:
.h77 - MGD77 Headers (Marine Trackline Geophyscis databases)
.h93 - HYD93 Headers (Hydrographic Surveys databases)
.h88 - ARO88 Headers (Aeromagnetic Surveys databases)
[Search KEY/NGDC Num].a?? - ASCII file(s) containing
downloaded data records from a Search in one of the standard exchange
formats. File extension depends on the download format
(regardless of the database):
.a77 - MGD77 Format
.a93 - HYD93 Format
[Search KEY/NGDC Num].b93 - binary file(s) containing
downloaded data records from a Search in the Binary HYD93 Format.
This download format
is the same as that on the GEODAS Hydrographic Surveys CD/DVD
set.
[Search KEY/NGDC Num].xyz - ASCII or Binary file(s) containing
downloaded data records from a Search in the one of the XYZ
download formats.
Files used by the GEODAS Software:
[Search KEY].cri - ASCII file containing the Search
Criteria selected. Used by Search Task.
[Search KEY].mgn - ASCII file containing result information
from a Search, including key, title, area(s) searched, database,
date, etc. and for each resulting survey the IDs, inventory location,
numbers of records, CD/DVD volume/directory, etc. This file is used
by other GEODAS Task such as Plot, Headers and Download.