CDF Validation

Introduction

In addition to this application's ability to evaluate CDF files for conformance with
the  Space Physics Data Facility Guidelines for CDF (see https://spdf.gsfc.nasa.gov/sp_use_of_cdf.html), the application can also evaluate CDF files with respect to more general criteria.  This functionality is often used to enforce additional, mission/project specific standards.  The validation criteria is specified in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file.  Prior to validating a CDF file, you should set the criteria by which you want the CDF file validated.

Setting the Validation Criteria File

The validation criteria setting is retained between SKTEditor sessions so it will initially be the last used criteria.  If this is not the criteria you want to use, it may be changed by selecting menu item Tools/CDF Validation/Set validation criteria file and choosing either one of the included values or Select File... as shown below

Tools Set Critieria File Menu Selection

Choosing
Select File... will display a stand file chooser dialog from which you may select the criteria file that you want used.

Note:  It is also possbile to set the validation criteria file using one of the following methods:
These methods are more commonly used when using the validation software in a command-line mode.

Validating a File

To validate the current file, select the SKTEditor menu item Tools/CDF Validation/Validate using name criteria.

Tools Validate File Menu Selection

Diagnostic messages concerning validation are desplayed in the Messages window which is displayed by selecting the Show Messages button at the bottom righthand corner of the editor window.

CDF Validation Messages

See also: