Directory Interchange Format (DIF)
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Description
The Directory Interchange Format (DIF) is a metadata standard used to describe Earth science datasets. The DIF standard is used to create records for the NASA Global Change Master Directory (GCMD), an on-line system with information about Earth science datasets. The DIF standard has a total of 36 elements, including 8 mandatory elements. The mandatory elements are EntryID, Entry Title, Keywords, ISO Topic Category, Data Center, Summary, Metadata Name and Metadata Version. Some of the fields are text fields, others require the use of controlled keywords (sometimes known as "valids"). The DIF standard is compatible with both the ISO 19115 and CSDGM standards.
Sample DIF Record
[REPLACE WITH LINK]
Entry_ID: ASAC_2372
Entry_Title: A comparative study on floral ecology between
Malaysia and Antarctica
Group: Personnel
Role: INVESTIGATOR
Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT
Role: DIF AUTHOR
First_Name: MASHHOR
Last_Name: MANSOR
Email: mashhor@usm.my
Phone:
Fax:
Group: Contact_Address
Address: SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Address: UNIVERSITY SAINS MALAYSIA
City: Gelugor
Province_or_State: Penang
Postal_Code: 11800
Country: MALAYSIA
End_Group
End_Group
Discipline: EARTH SCIENCE
Group: Parameters
Category: EARTH SCIENCE
Topic: BIOSPHERE
Term: ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS
Variable: COMMUNITY STRUCTURE
End_Group
Group: Parameters
Category: EARTH SCIENCE
Topic: BIOSPHERE
Term: VEGETATION
Variable: VEGETATION SPECIES
End_Group
ISO_Topic_Category: BIOTA
Keyword: ANTARCTICA
Keyword: ECOLOGY
Keyword: FLORA
Data_Set_Progress: PLANNED
Group: Spatial_Coverage
Southernmost_Latitude: 90.0S
Northernmost_Latitude: 62.83S
Westernmost_Longitude: 180.0W
Easternmost_Longitude: 180.0E
End_Group
Location: ANTARCTICA
Location: MALAYSIA
Data_Set_Language: ENGLISH
Group: Data_Center
Data_Center_Name:AU/AADC > Australian Antarctic Data Centre, Australia
Data_Center_URL: http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=3786
Group: Personnel
Role: DATA CENTER CONTACT
First_Name: DATA OFFICER
Last_Name: AADC
Email: metadata@aad.gov.au
Phone:
Fax:
Group: Contact_Address
Address: Australian Antarctic Division
Address: Channel Highway
City: Kingston
Province_or_State: Tasmania
Postal_Code: 7050
Country: Australia
End_Group
End_Group
End_Group
Group: Summary
Preliminary Metadata record for data expected from ASAC Project 2372
See the link below for public details on this project.
---- Public Summary from Project ----
This project aims to determine the physiological adaptations of
algae to the extreme conditions of Antarctica. The major aim is
to understand the effect of global changes such as temperature
and ultraviolet radiation increases arising from the Antarctic
ozone hole and to detect environmental changes in the Antarctic
due to human activities.
End_Group
Group: Related_URL
URL: http://its-db.aad.gov.au/proms/public/...
Group: Description
Public information for ASAC project 2372
End_Group
End_Group
IDN_Node: AMD/AU
IDN_Node: CEOS
Originating_Metadata_Node: GCMD
Metadata_Name: CEOS IDN DIF
Metadata_Version: Version 9.4
DIF_Creation_Date: 2003-05-26
Last_DIF_Revision_Date: 2005-02-07
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Information about this article
Short title: Directory Interchange Format
Description: The Directory Interchange Format (DIF) is a metadata standard used to describe Earth science datasets and is used to create records for the NASA Global Change Master Directory (GCMD)
Expertise level: intermediate
Author: Greg Reed
Approval status: approved
Approved by: Greg Reed
Last change: 2009-5-28
Subsection of: Metadata Standards
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