| ODF (Ocean Data Format)
is an ASCII text format used for the primary storage of physical,
biological, and chemical data series by the Bedford Institute of Oceanography
(BIO). The data management section of the Maurice Lamontagne Institute
(MLI) adopted the ODF format in 1999. It consists of a set of header
blocks preceded by the header name and containing a number of fields
that are of the form keyword=value. Header fields may be strings or
numeric. All data records are numeric with the exception of time (code
SYTM), which is a character string of the form 'dd-mon-yyyy hh:mm:ss.ss'.
A number of MATLAB scripts (from BIO and MLI) are available to support
the ODF format.
The primary item in an ODF file is an EVENT, which is a single
data series. Examples of an EVENT are a current meter time series,
a CTD profile, a Batfish tow—any data series that can be defined
by its space/time coordinates and having a number of observations.
ODF uses a file naming convention (called an Event_specification)
based on the event type. There are fields within ODF that support
these file naming conventions and, while not compulsory, their use
is encouraged as a means of managing a large number of ODF files.
See the file ODF File Specification
or Filename (MLI) for specific details.
All data parameters in an ODF file must have a valid parameter
code. These codes were initially based on the GF3 code list (four
first letters) but have been extended to include other data types
specific to BIO and/or MLI. See the file ODF
parameter codes for more details. Default units are associated
with specific codes. For example, PRES (pressure) is always expressed
in decibars and the SYTM time variable is always in GMT (Greenwich
Mean Time). |
| A description of
the ODF header block follows. Note that some header blocks are compulsory
(e.g., EVENT_HEADER, PARAMETER_HEADER), while others are optional
(e.g., METEO_HEADER, POLYNOMIAL_CAL_HEADER). If a specific header
block is present, all fields within the block are mandatory; however,
the field may be left blank if it is a string. |
