Relational Database Formats:

Background

The formats used by Relational Database Management Systems (RDMS) are universally binary and completely invisible to the user. Individual systems, based usually on proprietary software, are completely different internally, although extensive cross-walks between systems are possible via specific export utilities, or the use of spreadsheets. The principal relational software systems in use today are Oracle, IBM, Microsoft Access, Sybase and Teradata, but of course there are smaller competitors and even bespoke systems created by software authors especially for their own intended applications. This latter approach is used by Ocean Data View. The user is referred to the Relational Database Management Systems for a complete discussion of the technology

Microsoft Access (*.MDB)

This widely used format and system is often the first choice of scientists for small-scale data management projects, although creating the necessary relational model and putting together the necessary utilities and functions can be a huge job. Building onto (or adopting) existing applications is often the path of choice.

• Available files:
  • cruise_station_sample.mdb - Cruise, station and sample relational database model in MS Access

Ocean Data View (*.VAR, *.ODV)

These databases consist of a host of subsidiary files and folders when unzipped.

• Files available
  • GLODAP-v1.1_bottle.zip - Collection of global ocean station data from the Global Ocean Data Analysis Project in ODV Version 3 format
  • WOA05_annual.zip - World Ocean Atlas 2005 gridded data, in ODV Version 3 format; the grid points appear as if they were actual ocean stations
  • ODV4-Template_WOD-with-GTSPP-QF.odv - ODV template for creating an ocean station data collection with GTSPP quality flags. Use this template to avoid manually changing all the quality flags from the imported schema to GTSPP. Copy this file into the directory where you want to create the new collection. Open ODV4 and use File>New to create the new collection. When prompted for the definition of collection variables choose “Use .txt …” and select the .odv template file.