Arches for Science implements a workflow for uploading digital files obtained from laboratory instruments. Certain instruments create files that typically include header information and a long series of x/y data that represent the results of an instruments measurements. GCI conservation scientists may export such “two-dimensional” datasets as ASCII files and import them into Arches as part of the upload dataset workflow.

The GCI’s conservation laboratory includes a number of instruments that create two-dimensional data, each with its own unique header information and representation of the x- and y-value data. Currently, AfS requires a specific dataset loader to process each instrument’s uniquely formatted two-dimensional data.

GCI conservation scientists have requested that AfS include a “generic” ASCII data file loader that would allow them to configure how Arches should import and process the information in the file. As part of this task, Farallon will develop a data loader that allows users to preview a file, indicate where in the file x/y values should begin to be imported, and the type of mathematical transformation (if any) to apply to the x or y data value as part of the import process.