[chirp_devel] Image Format Proposal

[Dan Smith]

Hi all,

For quite some time, it has been apparent that the current method of
storing memory data on save and detecting the model on load was breaking
down. Right now, memory data from an image-based radio is dropped
directly into a file and the length of that file is used to identify the
model when it is opened.

I certainly don't want to eliminate that mode of operation, since it's
useful for developers. However, it's not the best thing for the users.
I've been thinking for a while about a meta format that could
encapsulate the memory image, as well as some other useful data for us,
the least of which would be information to make the process of driver
matching straightforward.

Attached is an example of what I have come up with, along with an XML
schema definition for it. I think this is extensible enough to support
more things in the future, such as storing raw command strings from a
Kenwood-like radio for whole backup purposes, etc. For now, it will
support base64 encoding and md5 checksumming of the binary data, as well
as timestamping of when the file was created, last modified, uploaded
and downloaded from the radio.

I've got a mechanism in there for generic metadata, which could be used
by the drivers for internal record-keeping, and/or by the UI for the users.

I'd appreciate some feedback and discussion on this. We don't have to
solve the whole problem right now, but I'd like to make sure that what
we settle on is something we can deal with in the long-term, even if we
do extend it in the future.

I dunno what to call it, really. I burned .chirp on the generic XML
format (which I've never liked), so I'm calling this CDF (chirp data
format) for the moment.

Thanks!

-- 
Dan Smith
www.danplanet.com
KK7DS
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