DATA

The DATA descriptor defines what a data field is, how it should be read/written, and where it should be placed. Several sub-descriptors are used to define a field's data type, attribute names, positions or columns, and precision.

The sub-descriptors are as follows:

• TYPE
• ATTRIBUTE
• POSITION
• COLUMN
• COLUMNS
• PRECISION

The sub-descriptors COLUMN and COLUMNS are equivalent.

For each data field, there is one DATA descriptor, followed by sub- descriptors, which define the type and location of the data field all on one line. Sub-descriptors are separated by spaces or commas. A data field may be a coordinate (one of X, Y, or Z) or an attribute.

Examples:

    DATA: TYPE(X), COLUMNS(6,5)
    DATA: TYPE(Y), COLUMNS(16-19)

    DATA: TYPE(STRING) ATTRIBUTE(Class)     POSITION(4)
    DATA: TYPE(FLOAT)  ATTRIBUTE(Elevation) POSITION(6)