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- DATA PREPARATION
- ================
-
- The raw data are input to the system using the OzEnter program. However, the
- data often need further processing. Also, some data needed within the system
- cannot be specified as data files and need to be prepared.
-
- These facilities are provided by the OzData program.
-
- Attribute Files
- ---------------
-
- A new attribute file can be generated from an attribute file and a
- combine file. The combine file defines new zones (or site catchments)
- in terms of the names referenced by the attribute file.
-
- Attributes can also be derived from existing attributes by applying
- arithmetic operations to the attribute values.
-
- Attributes are identified by the character # followed by a number,
- indicating the sequential position of the attribute on the input file
- (e.g. #10 represents the tenth attribute). An example of an expression
- to form a composite attribute is:
-
- (#1+#2)/2 > 0 < 1000
-
- This creates a new attribute whose values are half the sum of the values
- from the first and second attributes on the input file. Any valid
- arithmetic expression is acceptable. The output values are limited to
- the given range.
-
- Functions available are:-
-
- LOG10 : common logarithm
- SQRT : square root
- ABS : absolute value
- EXP : exponential
- SIN : sine
- COS : cosine
-
-
- Pi is referred to as PI.
-
- Operators are:
-
- + addition
- - subtraction
- * multiplication
- / division
- > greater than or equal to
- < less than or equal to
-
- Expressions are evaluated left to right and have a limit of 70
- characters. Parentheses should be used to ensure there are no
- ambiguities.
-
- The user must give a 30 character attribute description and 10 character
- units description for each new attribute that is generated.
-
-
- Geographic Files
- ----------------
-
- Geographic files can be subset (windowed) on the basis of a
- list of required display items (zones, sites, lines).
- - items in a names file
- - items in an attribute file
- - items within a window selected with the cursor from a displayed file
-
- The line segments can be simplified to reduce the number of points that
- have to be processed. This is used to speed up display where the
- resolution of the digitised data are higher that that needed for display
- terminals.
-
- Line segments that form polygons can be joined together into long segments.
- Where many short segments are used this process, in conjunction with
- simplification, can sustantially reduce the disk storage required and speed
- processing.
-
- The zones in a geographic file can be amalgamated according to a combine
- file to generate a new geographic file. The new file contains the new
- zones. The same combine file can be used to generate attribute data for
- the same new zones.
-
-
- Names Files
- ------------
-
- Names files give lists of items (zones, sites,lines) that are to be processed.
- These lists can be generated from other types of files. These options are
- particularly useful when the names files are to be modified.
-
- Output to Data Files
- ---------------------
-
- Options are provided to output internal files as data files so they can be
- modified with word-processors for further processing.
-
- Names files can be editted to change the lists of items used for processing.
-
- Attribute files can be output in simple database format.
-
- Combine files can be modified as part of the definition of territories and
- sites.
-
- Attribute templates can be generated for preparation of attribute files with
- a word-processor.