DCEG Builder

To simplify the creation of the Data Classification and Encoding Guide (DCEG) for a Product Specification, a DCEG Builder has been created. This tool utilizes the Feature Catalogue to create the bindings and inputs for the DCEG tables. It is then a manual process to add images and specific text to the encoding part of the DCEG tables. The below image shows a high-level overview of the process to create a DCEG via the DCEG Builder. An Application Schema is required to make the Feature Catalogue, which equates to an XML representation of the Application Schema. The use of the Feature Catalogue can be described in the DCEG.

Use of the DCEG Builder is optional in the preparation of the Product Specification. Any S-100-based Product Specification must include sufficient instructions for how to encode information in a manner that conforms to the Specification, but these instructions do not have to follow a specific DCEG style. However, the DCEG style is simple to understand and by utilizing the DCEG builder, it is also easy to create tables of feature and information types, attributes, associations and encoding instructions; and to ensure that these tables are consistent with the Feature Catalogue. The IHO-style feature tables (or equivalent) can be prepared and maintained using ordinary office word processing software, but experience shows that ensuring initial and continued conformance to the XML Feature Catalogue may be a significant task requiring much effort to maintain and keep current. The below image shows how the DCEG Builder is connected to the IHO GI Registry and shows how the DCEG Builder is integrated in the process of creating a Feature Catalogue. Using the Builder can greatly simplify the development process and increase consistency with the Feature Catalogue. It should be noted that the DCEG Builder is dependent on the Feature Catalogue being registered within the Feature Catalogue Database.

The S-100 Toolkit containing the DCEG Builder can be downloaded here.