DIF Writer's Guide: Distribution

Distribution

Definition

The <Distribution> field describes media options, size, data format, and fees involved in distributing the data set.

<Distribution_Media>The media options for the user receiving the data.
<Distribution_Size>An approximate size (in KB, MB or GB) for the entire data set. Specify if data are compressed and the method of compression.
<Distribution_Format>The data format used to distribute the data.
<Fees>Cost of <Distribution_Media> or distribution costs if any. Specify if there are no costs.

Syntax

<Distribution>
    <Distribution_Media>Text up to 80 characters</Distribution_Media>
    <Distribution_Size>Text up to 80 characters</Distribution_Size>
    <Distribution_Format>Text up to 80 characters
    </Distribution_Format>
    <Fees>Text up to 80 characters</Fees>
</Distribution>

Characters may be selected from the UTF-8 character set.

Usage

The <Distribution> field is highly recommended and may be repeated.
<Distribution> subfields may only appear once within <Distribution>.
Keywords for <Distribution_Media> may be selected from the Suggested Distribution Media Keywords List.
Keywords for <Distribution_Format> may be selected from the Suggested Distribution Format Keywords List.

Example

<Distribution>
    <Distribution_Media>CD-ROM</Distribution_Media>
    <Distribution_Size>25 MB</Distribution_Size>
    <Distribution_Format>ESRI shapefile</Distribution_Format>
    <Fees>$20</Fees>
</Distribution>

Visit GCMD website

This document should be cited as:
Directory Interchange Format (DIF) Writer's Guide, 2013.
Global Change Master Directory.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
[http://gcmd.nasa.gov/add/difguide/].