Split2Events

Split2Events is a software tool to split one file with data from several events into several files, one for each event. The resulting folder with a number of files can automaticaly be imported with the Massenimport routine of 4D. Split2Events may also extract a list of unknown parameters prior to splitting.

The recent version and reference of Split2Events can be found at http://www.pangaea.de/software/UsefulTools/

Split2Events is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and is freely distributed. (Source-code of Split2Events as zip-archive, 265 kB)

General
 * Empty columns and lines which contain GEOCODE only will be removed.
 * If data set description is included, 4D will analyze it and format during sequential import.
 * When defining data set titles and filename, the placeholder $E may be used to add individual event labels.
 * Keywords are not added by Split2Events; they may be set manually in 4D prior to import.

Just split
 * 1) Start Split2Events and drag/drop the file to the program window.
 * 2) Choose the Split to events... Tool (F5).
 * 3) The Mandatory tab shows the entries of the last session.
 * 4) Click on New if a new file collection is processed.
 * 5) Go to the Options tab and check split file to events.
 * 6) Click OK. An import file is written for each event, stored in a new folder.
 * 7) Use 4D (Import/Analytical data/Open folder) for sequential import.

Split with data description
 * 1) Start Split2Events and drag/drop the file to the program window.
 * 2) Choose the Split to events... Tool (F5).
 * 3) The Mandatory tab shows the entries of the last session.
 * 4) Click on New if a new file collection is processed.
 * 5) On the Mandatory tab fill out the fields as required.
 * 6) On the Optional tab add information as required.
 * 7) On the Options tab check split file to events and write data description.

Split using a metafile
 * 1) Open an import file and choose the option use metadata file; find parameter by position on the Options tab.
 * 2) Create a template of a metadata file by clicking the button Create metadata template. The metadata file will be created with the extension _metadata.txt.
 * 3) Open this file with an editor (e.g. drag the file onto an open Excel window) and modify a appropriate. Each line contains the information for one parameter.


 * Parameter name as given in the data file. If the ID is given in the data file this entry is empty.
 * Parameter ID, in this mode the ID is mostly “unknown”. Only the ID of the GEOCODE is given automatically. You have to fill in the right ID for the parameter.
 * PI ID as provided through the PI field of Split2Events. The ID 999999 will be replaced by @PP@Event label@ (e.g. @PP@PS2742-5@)
 * Method ID; use ID=43 if not_given. If left empty, the default method will be used.
 * Comment of data series.
 * Format as suggested from the precision of the numeric values of the related parameter.
 * Factor if a recalculation is required, e.g. may be used to convert units.
 * Fill empty cells with add characters, which should be used to fill empty cells
 * Range min and Range max defines the range of values of parameter (e.g. for temperature in water set this -5 to 50). If a value is outside of the given range, the value will be marked with the flag not valid = /.

Split using a metafile and find parameter IDs automatically
 * 1) Prepare a local list of all parameters called ParameterDB.pdb. For this step use File->Create parameter database or Tools->Merge new parameters to parameter database. The name of the parameter database can be given first with File->Settings....
 * 2) Browse to the ParameterDB.pdb on the Options tab.
 * 3) Create a metadata file with the option use metadata file; find parameter by name. Split2Events identifies the ID for each parameter by using the parameter database. If a parameter is unknown, the ID is set to unknown. If write parameter import file on the Options tab was checked, a list of the unknown parameters is written to imp_Parameters.txt. After completing this file send it to [mailto:hgrobe@pangaea.de hgrobe@pangaea.de].
 * 4) Continue with step 1.

Reference and detailed description
-- Mandatory tab --
 * Staff ID of principal investigator. This entry sets the ID for the PI of data in the data description part. The ID 999999 will be replaced by @GP@Event label@ (e.g. @GP@PS2742-5@). With the PanTool function Search and replace many strings the PI of data of this event can be set easily.
 * Staff ID of author(s). This entry sets a list of IDs for the authors of the datasets. The ID 999999 will be replaced by @A@Event label@ (e.g. @A@PS2742-5@).
 * Institution ID of source. This entry sets the ID for the source (related to institution) of data. The ID 999999 will be replaced by @S@Event label@ (e.g. @S@PS2742-5@).
 * Reference ID(s). This entry sets a list of IDs for the references of the dataset in the data description part. The ID 999999 will be replaced by @R@Event label@ (e.g. @R@PS2742-5@).
 * Project ID(s). This entry sets a list of IDs for the projects of the dataset in the data description part. The ID 999999 will be replaced by @Pro@Event label@ (e.g. @Pro@PS2742-5@).
 * Dataset title. This entry sets the citation of the dataset in the data description part. The placeholder $E will be replaced by the event label. The placeholder $@ will be replaced by the string behind the “@” given in the event label. The ID 999999 will be replaced by @D@Event label@ (e.g. @D@PS2742-5@).
 * Export filename. This entry sets the export filename. The placeholder $E will be replaced by the event label. The placeholder $@ will be replaced by the string behind the “@” given in the event label.

-- Optional tab --
 * Dataset comment (optional). This entry sets the dataset comment. The placeholder $E will be replaced by the event label. The placeholder $@ will be replaced by the string behind the '@' given in the event label. The ID 999999 will be replaced by @C@Event label@ (e.g. @C@PS2742-5@).
 * URL Further details (optional). This entry sets the URL of the further details link. The URL has to begin with “doi:”, “hdl:” or “http://”. The placeholder $E will be replaced by the event label. The placeholder $@ will be replaced by the string behind the “@” given in the event label. 999999 will be replaced by @F@Event label@ (e.g. @F@PS2742-5@).
 * URL other version (optional). This entry sets the URL of the further details link. The URL has to begin with “doi:”, “hdl:” or “http://”. The placeholder $E will be replaced by the event label. The placeholder $@ will be replaced by the string behind the “@” given in the event label. 999999 will be replaced by @O@Event label@ (e.g. @O@PS2742-5@).
 * Topologic type. Menue to select the topologic type of a dataset.
 * Status. Menue to select the status of a dataset.
 * Login. Sets the login of a dataset to on or off.
 * User(s) of validated datasets. This entry sets the ID for the user of data. The ID 999999 will be replaced by @U@Event label@ (e.g. @U@PS2742-5@).

-- Options tab --
 * Split to events options
 * split file to events: Split2Events splits a file to events only if this option is set. Uncheck it for creating surface datasets.
 * write data description: The data description part of the import file contains all import options. This is needed for importing a huge number of files. But it can also be useful to configure complex import files outside 4D.
 * use name of input file for $E or ID=999999.
 * make filename unique: Needed if you split moore then one files with the same events.
 * marks files with 1, 2 or 3 lines: Useful to separate data from cores and surfaces are mixed.
 * override existing datasets: @I@Event label@ will be written.
 * Metadata file options
 * don’t use metadata file: A metadata file will not be used.
 * use auto metadata file: Sets the default method and a suitable format for each parameter automatically.
 * use metadata file; find parameter by position: If the program splits a file to events, a metadata file is loading. The position of parameters in the metadata file has to be the same order as in the data file. A metadata template can be created with Create metadata template.
 * use metadata file; find parameter by name: If the program splits a file to events, a metadata file is loading. The program finds the right parameter automatically. A metadata template can be created with Create metadata template.


 * Create metadata template options
 * write parameter import file: If the option use metadata file; find parameter by name is selected and the user creates a metadata template, Split2Events finds missing parameters and writes them into imp_Parameter.txt. After completing this file send it to [mailto:hgrobe@pangaea.de hgrobe@pangaea.de].


 * Parameter database. To create a metadata template and find missing parameters the program needs a list of all known parameters defined in PANGAEA. Use Tools->Create parameter database or Tools->Merge new parameters to parameter database to create a parameter database. The name of the parameter database can be given first with File->Settings.... Browse for it.


 * Buttons
 * Create metadata template. Pressing this button creates a metadata template file. This depends on the metadata file options and the create metadata template options. If use metadata file; find parameter by name is selected a parameter database is needed.
 * New. Resets all settings.
 * Save. Saves a project file manually.
 * Load. Loads a project file. Overwrites all given settings!
 * OK. Starts splitting procedure.
 * Cancel. Closes the settings dialog. No settings will be changed.

Contact: Dr. Rainer Sieger, Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven