Southern California Bight 2008 Regional Monitoring Survey

Section 3: Spatial Data Organization Information

Section 4: Spatial Reference Information

Section 5: Entity and Attribute Information

Southern California Marine Monitoring Standard Data Transfer Formats.

“Southern California Marine Monitoring Standard Data Transfer Formats.”

the Southern California Marine Monitoring Standard Data Transfer Formats

5.1.2.5 Attribute Units of Measure -- the standard of measurement for an attribute value.

5.1.2.6 Attribute Measurement Resolution -- the smallest unit increment to which an attribute value is measured.

5.1.2.7 Beginning Date of Attribute Values -- earliest or only date for which the attribute values are current. In cases when a range of dates are provided, this is the earliest date for which the information is valid.

5.1.2.8 Ending Date of Attribute Values -- latest date for which the information is current. Used in cases when a range of dates are provided.

5.1.2.9 Attribute Value Accuracy Information -- an assessment of the accuracy of the assignment of attribute values.

5.1.2.9.1 Attribute Value Accuracy -- an estimate of the accuracy of the assignment of attribute values.

5.1.2.9.2 Attribute Value Accuracy Explanation -- the definition of the Attribute Value Accuracy measure and units, and a description of how the estimate was derived.

5.1.2.10 Attribute Measurement Frequency -- the frequency with which attribute values are added.

5.2 Overview Description -- summary of, and citation to detailed description of, the information content of the data set.

5.2.1 Entity and Attribute Overview -- detailed summary of the information contained in a data set.

5.2.2 Entity and Attribute Detail Citation -- reference to the complete description of the entity types, attributes, and attribute values for the data set.

Section 6: Distribution Information

6 Distribution Information -- information about the distributor of and options for obtaining the data set.

6.1 Distributor -- the party from whom the data set may be obtained.

6.2 Resource Description -- the identifier by which the distributor knows the data set.

6.3 Distribution Liability -- statement of the liability assumed by the distributor.

6.4 Standard Order Process -- the common ways in which the data set may be obtained or received, and related instructions and fee information. Repeat as needed.

6.4.1 Non-digital Form -- the description of options for obtaining the data set on non-computer- compatible media.

6.4.2 Digital Form -- the description of options for obtaining the data set on computer-compatible media. Repeat as needed.

6.4.2.1 Digital Transfer Information -- description of the form of the data to be distributed.

6.4.2.1.1 Format Name -- the name of the data transfer format.

6.4.2.1.2 Format Version Number -- version number of the format.

6.4.2.1.3 Format Version Date -- date of the version of the format.

6.4.2.1.4 Format Specification -- name of a subset, profile, or product specification of the format.

BDP6.4.2.1.5 ASCII File Structure-- Information about the content and format of an ASCII data file.

BDP6.4.2.1.5.1 Record Delimiter--The character(s) which indicate the end of a record.

BDP6.4.2.1.5.2 Number Header Lines--The number of lines at the beginning of the file before the data content actually begins.

BDP6.4.2.1.5.3 Description of Header Content- Description of the information content of the header lines.

BDP6.4.2.1.5.4 Orientation--Definition of the direction of information content as represented in the ASCII file. Typical data sets are represented in column major format, where each attribute in the data set is represented as a column and each observation is a row. In contrast, row major data sets represent attributes as rows and observations as columns. For example, if one has 3 observations (1,2,3) of two attributes (A,B), in column major format the first record of the datafile would contain the first observation for both attributes (values A1,B1), but in row major format the first record would contain all of the observations for only attribute A (values A1,A2,A3).

BDP6.4.2.1.5.5 Case Sensitive--If the content of the data set is encoded in case-sensitive ASCII (the capital and small letters have meaning), then this element should contain “y” or “Y”, otherwise this element should contain “n” or “N”.

BDP6.4.2.1.5.6 Authentication--Information allowing verification of file contents to ensure accurate transmission of the file. This is generally a named checksum that uses a standard algorithm or a cryptographic signature. For example, a MD5 checksum could be provided and, if it matches a MD5 checksum calculated for the received file, one would conclude that the file is identical to the original.

BDP6.4.2.1.5.7 Quote Character--Character used to quote fields in the data representation so that the field delimiter can be used as part of the field value. This character is typically a single quote mark or double quote mark. For example, in a field representing a person's name, one might use double quotes around the field (e.g., "Johnson, M.") to indicate that the embedded comma in the text string is not a field delimiter.

BDP6.4.2.1.5.8 Data Field Information--describing the individual data fields (this would be equivalent to columns in most databases). Repeat as needed.

BDP6.4.2.1.5.8.1 Data Field Name -- of the data field. This name should be the same as an Attribute Label documented in Section 5.1.2 Attribute (within Detailed Description which is itself within Entity and Attribute Information). The definition, domain, units of measure, and measurement resolution are all important pieces of information for ASCII file use.

BDP6.4.2.1.5.8.1.2 Missing Value Code-- The code which represents missing data.

BDP6.4.2.1.5.8.1.3 Data Field Width Delimiter--The character which indicates the end of the data field contents.

BDP6.4.2.1.5.8.1.4 Data Field Width The number-- of characters of the data field.

6.4.2.1.5 Format Information Content -- description of the content of the data encoded in a format.

File Decompression Technique -- recommendations of algorithms or processes (including means of obtaining these algorithms or processes) that can be applied to read or expand data sets to which data

6.4.2.1.7 Transfer Size -- the size, or estimated size, of the transferred data set in megabytes.

6.4.2.2 Digital Transfer Option -- the means and media by which a data set is obtained from the distributor.

6.4.2.2.1 Online Option -- information required to directly obtain the data set electronically.

6.4.2.2.1.1 Computer Contact Information -- instructions for establishing communications with the distribution computer.

6.4.2.2.1.1.1 Network Address -- the electronic address from which the data set can be obtained from the distribution computer.

6.4.2.2.1.1.1.1 Network Resource Name -- the name of the file or service from which the data set can be obtained.

6.4.2.2.1.1.2 Dialup Instructions -- information required to access the distribution computer remotely through telephone lines.

6.4.2.2.1.1.2.1 Lowest BPS -- lowest or only speed for the connection's communication, expressed in bits per second.

6.4.2.2.1.1.2.2 Highest BPS -- highest speed for the connection's communication, expressed in bits per second. Used in cases when a range of rates are provided.

6.4.2.2.1.1.2.3 Number DataBits -- number of data bits in each character exchanged in the communication.

6.4.2.2.1.1.2.4 Number StopBits -- number of stop bits in each character exchanged in the communication.

6.4.2.2.1.1.2.5 Parity -- parity error checking used in each character exchanged in the communication.

6.4.2.2.1.1.2.6 Compression Support -- data compression available through the modem service to speed data transfer.

6.4.2.2.1.1.2.7 Dialup Telephone -- the telephone number of the distribution computer. Repeat as needed.

6.4.2.2.1.1.2.8 Dialup File Name -- the name of a file containing the data set on the distribution computer. Repeat as needed.

6.4.2.2.1.2 Access Instructions -- instructions on the steps required to access the data set.

6.4.2.2.1.3 Online Computer and Operating System -- the brand of distribution computer and its operating system.

6.4.2.2.2 Offline Option -- information about media-specific options for receiving the data set.

6.4.2.2.2.1 Offline Media -- name of the media on which the data set can be received.

6.4.2.2.2.2 Recording Capacity -- the density of information to which data are written. Used in cases where different recording capacities are possible.

6.4.2.2.2.2.1 Recording Density -- the density in which the data set can be recorded. Repeat as needed.

6.4.2.2.2.2.2 Recording Density Units -- the units of measure for the recording density.

6.4.2.2.2.3 Recording Format -- the options available or method used to write the data set to the medium. Repeat as needed.

Compatibility Information -- description of other limitations or requirements for using the

medium.

6.4.3 Fees -- the fees and terms for retrieving the data set.

6.4.5 Turnaround -- typical turnaround time for the filling of an order.

6.5 Custom Order Process -- description of custom distribution services available, and the terms and conditions for obtaining these services.

6.6 Technical Prerequisites -- description of any technical capabilities that the consumer must have to use the data set in the form(s) provided by the distributor.

6.7 Available Time Period -- the time period when the data set will be available from the distributor.