ASCII Data Set Files (*.dat)

Data sets can be stored in either ASCII or binary files.  Multiple data sets can be stored in a single file and both scalar and vector data sets can be saved to the same file. For scalar data set files, one value is listed per vertex, cell, node, or scatter point. For vector data set files, one set of XY vector components is listed per vertex, cell, node, or scatter point.  If necessary, a set of status flags can be included in the file.  If the status flag is false (0), the corresponding item (node, cell, etc.) is inactive.  If status flags are not included in the file, it is assumed that all items are active.

Data Set files are opened through File | Open or through the Data Browser and are saved when other files are saved such as 2D Scatter Point Files.

File Format

DATASET              /* File type identifier */
OBJTYPE type         /* Type of object data set is associated with */

BEGSCL               /* Beginning of scalar data set */

OBJID id             /* Object id */

ND numdata           /* Number of data values */

NC numcells          /* Number of cells or elements */

NAME "name"          /* Data set name */

TS istat time        /* Time step of the following data. */

stat1                /* Status flags */

stat2

.

.

stat
numcells
val1                 /* Scalar data values */

val2

.

.

val
numdata
/* Repeat TS card for each time step */

ENDDS                /* End of data set */

BEGVEC               /* Beginning of vector dataset */

VECTYPE type         /* Vector at node/gridnode or element/cell */

OBJID id             /* Object id */

ND numdata           /* Number of data values */

NC numcells          /* Number of cells or elements */

NAME "name"          /* Data set name */

TS istat time        /* Time step of the following data. */

stat1                /* Status flags */

stat2

.

.

stat
numcells
vx1 vy1

vx2 vy2

.

.

vnumdata vnumdata vnumdata

/* Repeat TS card for each time step */

ENDDS                /* End of data set */

/* Repeat BEGSCL and BEGVEC sequences for each data set */

Sample File

DATASET
OBJTYPE grid2d

BEGSCL

OBJID 27211

ND 8

NC 8

NAME "sediment transport"

TS 1 1.00000000e+00

0

0

0

1

1

1

1

0

0.00000000e+00

0.00000000e+00

0.00000000e+00

3.24000000e+00

4.39000000e+00

2.96000000e+00

7.48000000e+00

0.00000000e+00

ENDDS

BEGVEC

VECTYPE 0

OBJID 27211

ND 8

NC 8

NAME "velocity"

TS 1 5.00000000e+00

0

0

0

1

1

1

1

0

1.60000000e+01 1.60000000e+01

6.40000000e+01 6.40000000e+01

1.44000000e+02 1.44000000e+02

1.96000000e+02 1.96000000e+02

2.25000000e+02 2.25000000e+02

9.21600000e+03 9.21600000e+03

9.60400000e+03 9.60400000e+03

9.80100000e+03 9.80100000e+03

ENDDS

Cards

 

Card Type

DATASET

Description

File type identifier.  Must be on first line of file.  No fields.

Required

YES

 

Card Type

OBJTYPE

Description

Identifies the type of objects that the data sets in the file are associated with.

Required

YES.  If card does not exist, the file can only be read through the Data Browser.  The data sets would then be assigned to the objects corresponding to the active module.

Format

OBJTYPE type

Sample

OBJTYPE tin

Field

Variable

Value

Description

1

type

tin
mesh2d
scat2d

Tins
2D mesh
2D scatter points

 

Card Type

BEGSCL

Description

Scalar data set file identifier.  Marks beginning of scalar data set.  No fields.

Required

YES

 

Card Type

BEGVEC

Description

Vector data set file identifier.  Marks beginning of vector data set.  No fields.

Required

YES

 

Card Type

VECTYPE

Card ID

150

Description

Identifies the type of vector data that will be read and where to apply it.

Required

This card is only required if the vector data is associated with elements/cells.  If this card is not present, it is assumed that the data are associated with nodes/gridnodes.

Field

Variable

Size

Value

Description

1

type

4 byte int

0

1

The vectors will be applied to the nodes/gridnodes.
The vectors will be applied to the elements/cells.

 

Card Type

ND

Description

The number of data values that will be listed per time step.  This number should correspond to the total number of vertices, nodes, cells centers (cell-centered grid), cell corners (mesh-centered grid), maximum node id (meshes) or scatter points.

Required

YES

Format

ND numdata

Sample

ND 10098

Field

Variable

Value

Description

1

numdata

+

The number of items.  At each time step, numdata values are printed.

 

Card Type

NC

Description

This number should correspond to the maximum element id (meshes) or the number of cells (grids).

Required

YES

Format

NC numcells

Sample

NC 3982

Field

Variable

Value

Description

1

numcells

+

The number of elements or cells.

 

Card Type

NAME

Description

The name of the data set.

Required

YES

Format

NAME "name"

Sample

NAME "Total head"

Field

Variable

Value

Description

1

"name"

str

The name of the dataset in double quotes.

 

Card Type

TS

Description

Marks the beginning of a new time step, indicates if stat flags are given, and defines the time step value, status flags, and scalar data values for each item.

Required

YES

Format

TS istat time
stat1
stat2
.
.
stat numcells
val1
val2
.
.
valnumdata