Including External Files

Metadata of any kind can be included from external files by using an INCLUDE statement with the following format.

INCLUDE = "filename"

filename

gives the name of the file to be included. It will need to be located by any reading software, but the path information should not be given inside the cef file. The contents of included file must conform to cef syntax and will be included as though they were pasted directly into the parent file in place of the INCLUDE statement.

When using included files, the start and end parameters for a variable block or metadata block must be within the same file. For example, START_META and END_META must be in the same physical file, although some or all of the content within this block may be included ...

START_META = TEXT
INCLUDE = "textEntries.txt"
END_META = TEXT

where the file textEntries contains

Number_of_entries = 3
Entry = PEACE Sweep Data generated by QPEACE Software
Entry = S.J.Schwartz@qmul.ac.uk; http://www.space-plasma.qmul.ac.uk
Entry = Qpeace Software V2.5 18 March 2004

is equivalent to ...

INCLUDE = "textBlock.txt"

where the file textBlock.txt contains ...

START_META = TEXT
Number_of_entries = 3
Entry = PEACE Sweep Data generated by QPEACE Software
Entry = S.J.Schwartz@qmul.ac.uk; http://www.space-plasma.qmul.ac.uk
Entry = Qpeace Software V2.5 18 March 2004
END_META = TEXT

However, the construct ...

START_META = TEXT
INCLUDE = "textPart.txt"

where the file textPart contains ...

Number_of_entries = 3
Entry = PEACE Sweep Data generated by QPEACE Software
Entry = S.J.Schwartz@qmul.ac.uk; http://www.space-plasma.qmul.ac.uk
Entry = Qpeace Software V2.5 18 March 2004
END_META = TEXT

is not permitted as it splits the start and end parameters for a block.