Creation and Maintenance of the Search Parameter Tables

Scientific judgement will be required to determine which data to use to load the search parameter tables. It may be that some data are accepted and others rejected from a single source data set for values of a particular parameter. However, since this table is not a PDS deliverable, we can make these decisions internally.

To load the table initially, someone other than me, preferably someone who has a clue, will have to indicate which data should be extracted to fill the various columns, noting any unusual exceptions. I will then extract the data and load it into the database, using the available utilities. It is relatively easy to add a new set of columns to the table if we decide that the initial set of parameters needs to be augmented, but of course the search forms and processing routines will also have to be updated to take advantage of the new parameter.

Once the initial load is done, maintenance will be performed after every asteroid delivery. This will consist of checking the existing table for superceded products and replacing those values, and adding any new values. Note that a knowledgable scientists will have to determine exactly what values to add. New and replacement values will be extracted from the source file and loaded into the table using utility routines as much as possible.

Most likely there will always be some special processing required here which will prevent complete automation, but after the initial load the maintenance time required shouldn't be excessive.


Last update: 08 January 1997, acr