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Office of Electronic Commerce in Scientific and Engineering Data

Dissemination of Databases over Computer Networks

Encoding Measurement Units and Uncertainty in XML Datatypes

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Office of Electronic Commerce in Scientific and Engineering Data

Division Contact: Robert Dragoset

Dissemination of Databases over Computer Networks

We produce Physics Laboratory material for publication on the web, encourage and support the production of material by others, and assure the high quality of information disseminated by the Physics Laboratory over electronic networks. In addition, we develop methods to display information generated within the laboratory in an effective manner on the web. We also work with the Physics Laboratory divisions and Standard Reference Data staff in developing physical reference databases for dissemination on the web. We design effective interfaces between the information and the user to facilitate use of the data. Many databases are available already and may be accessed from the Physics Laboratory home page under Physical Reference Data (or http://physics.nist.gov/data), and a number of other databases are being developed for use on the web.

Contact: Robert Dragoset

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Encoding Measurement Units and Uncertainty in XML Datatypes

We work to promote compatibility and integration in the dissemination of non-product-specific information required by U.S. industry. We seek to make scientific, engineering, technical, codes/standards, and related regulatory information available to U.S. industry in a usable, accessible, unified manner. To this end, we, in collaboration with staff of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, are developing an extension to the XML (Extensible Markup Language) Schema for encoding measurement units and uncertainty into the numeric datatype. This extension will allow for the unambiguous exchange of numerical data over the web. We also will create an extensive repository of detailed units and dimensionality information to be maintained at NIST for access by XML schema designers.

Contact: Robert Dragoset

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Date created:May 6, 2002
Last modified: Aug. 02, 2007
Contact: inquiries@nist.gov