ViDI: Virtual Diagnostics Interface. Volume 2; Unified File Format and Web Services as Applied to Seamless Data Transfer
Gary A. Fleming, R. J. Schwartz · NASA Technical Reports Server (NASA) · 2004
Summary The table below summarizes the key concepts identified as issues concerning the implementation of the Unified File Format with Seamless Data Transfer. Property HDF XML Comments Self Descriptive X X Both require a compatible viewer Binary data X Binary format critical to large scientific data sets Multiple data types X Any type HDF, only text on XML Compression X Limited to GZIP, chunking is a powerful feature Imbedded Image Support X HDF supports images and palettes XML requires hyperlinks to images Development API X X Both formats have resources to aid development COTS scientific visualization X HDF 5 is being implemented in leading COTS scientific analysis software Web Services X Critical for advanced networked operations Standardization X Being adopted widely by developers Free API X HDF API free, many commercial XML APIs Viability X X Long term prognosis for both formats is good. Table 1. Summary of features provide by each file format