contributed vs application definitions

[RealPolitiX]

I have a few questions on contributed and application definitions

1. What's the procedure to submit a new contributed definition for a new type of experiment? Say if we want to write an xml file, is there code available to parser it to make sure the syntax is correct?
2. Will contributed definitions ever become application definitions?
3. If people want to amend or extend existing application or contributed definitions, whom should they communicate with?
4. Does NIAC release example files for each application or contributed definition?

[prjemian]

1.b. xmllint --noout --schema nxdl.xsd base_classes/NXentry.nxdl.xml will validate NXentry when current working directory is root of the definitions tree

There are other ways but this is most straightforward.

[prjemian]

1.a. fork the definitions repository, add the new files, make a pull request - then the questions start :)

contributed definitions include propositions from the community for NeXus base classes or application definitions

[prjemian]

2. after at least a year of incubation, if at all

Consider the contributed definitions as either in incubation or a special case not for general use.

-- https://manual.nexusformat.org/classes/index.html

[prjemian]

Ratification (acceptance) of a new base class or application definition requires a vote of the full NIAC.

-- https://manual.nexusformat.org/niac.html

[prjemian]

3. make a new issue: https://github.com/nexusformat/definitions/issues/new and state your ideas

[prjemian]

4. NeXus has an example data file repository that is edited occasionally. See https://github.com/nexusformat/exampledata for what is available. No one yet has taken the mission to ensure there is at least one example for every base class or application. That is a laudable goal. (To my knowledge, I don't even know what fraction of the base classes are used in the example data.)

[prjemian]

Does that help answer your questions?

[prjemian]

Here is an example of a request for change in the NXsas definition: #523

[prjemian]

NXDL validation example:

definitions/utils/test_nxdl.py

Lines 13 to 14 in 2dc081e

	# xmllint --noout --schema nxdl.xsd base_classes/NXentry.nxdl.xml
	# base_classes/NXentry.nxdl.xml validates

[prjemian]

Looks like definitions/utils/test_nxdl.py will validate ALL NXDL files when called as it is from

definitions/Makefile

Line 65 in e11f332

python utils/test_suite.py

(that's part of our continuous integration process)

[RealPolitiX]

Thanks a lot @prjemian, these are very timely and illustrative information.

[prjemian]

Seems that we've answered your questions. Closing now.