The Layout file is created when extracting CODAP data into flat card image files for software applications outside the CODAP system. Similarly, a layout is required when external data is to be imported into the CODAP system. The layout describes the location and format of each variable in the associated file. Each variable in the file must have a line in the layout which conforms to the following specifications:
s-col: cc 01-04 The starting column for this variable. e-col: cc 06-09 The ending column for this variable. nchars: cc 11-14 The number of characters for this variable. For decimal values, the number of digits past the decimal point (n) is specified as '.n'. For example, a six digit field with 2 decimal digits would be specified as '6.2'. varid: cc 16-21 The identifier for this variable. desc: cc 23-90 Optional description for this variable.
Any cards in the layout file which do not contain a numeric value in columns 01- 04 will be ignored by the software.
Example
H H ...Comment card to describe file, etc... H 1 4 4 TNUM Task Number 5 8 4 F001 Integer variable, 4 characters 9 12 4.1 F002 Decimal variable, 4 characters, 1 decimal digit 13 24 12 FILLER Even if a field is not used, its length must be specified 25 27 3 F003 Integer variable, 3 characters