Metadata dictionary

[ajj]

Item from Tokai meeting

Do we implement a metadata dictionary and if so, how extensive should it be?

Can we take existing domain specific dictionaries - e.g. various CIF

[prjemian]

NXcanSAS defines terms that are required or optional. These comprise the metadata dictionary.

NeXus has a generous metadata dictionary for its various base classes. All these terms (across all NeXus class definitions) are flagged in the Index of the NeXus manual with "(field)". Follow the link of each for more details.

How extensive should it be? We can choose to define terms as deeply as we choose. The NeXus International Advisory Committee has review authority. Mostly, the NIAC is interested in avoiding conflicts with reserved terms.

I propose we define the terms that are used by data analysis or further processing and avoid defining those terms which are strictly for deposition.