EDGE Format Files Descriptions

The out-of-the-box EDGE installation folder includes several files in the ....\EDGE\Formats\EDGE folder. Some of these files are unencrypted and may be modified to customize the EDGE format. The EDGE.xse format is encrypted and should not be modified to ensure EDGE functionality is not compromised.

The EDGE format *.zip files (with and without Live mappings enabled) are now available on the EarthSoft Community Center Downloads Dashboard under All Items > Products > EDGE > {year} > Formats for users who have access.

The following files must be present in the EDGE format folder and compressed in a *.zip file for use in Professional EDP and Enterprise EDP:

•Plugins folder (and all its content, including the Custom.xse and Format.xse format files)

•EDGE.dll

•EDGE.rvf (required if opening the format in EDP Standalone)

•EDGE.xse

•EDGE-enum.xml

Note: To add or update the EDGE format in Enterprise EDP EDD Upload widget, refer to instructions in the Add or Modify Enterprise EDP Formats page.

Some of these files are described in detail below:

EDGE.dll

The strong-named (.NET) assembly for the EDGE format. It is a security requirement for formats to be strong named when opened in Professional EDP (with application-level security) and Enterprise EDP (see Securing EDD Formats for more details).

EDGE.rvf

Reference Value File (RVF) – Includes the reference values (valid values or lookup values) for use with the EDGE format. Generate this file from an EQuIS database using instructions in Create a Reference Value File.

EDGE.xse

Main encrypted EDGE format file containing built-in EDGE sections. When loading a format in EDGE or EDP, this file should be used. Other format files can be loaded as needed.

EDGE_Config.xml

This file is optional when using the EDGE format in EDP. It is the configuration file for custom captions, default values, custom lookups, custom required fields, etc. Change these settings using the EDGE Configuration Plugin Tool.

EDGE-enum.xml

Enumeration file for the operation of EDGE. Can be used to define new or modify existing enumerations (lists of values used as lookup lists). Users can modify this file using the EDGE Configuration Plugin Tool or directly in a text editor (e.g., Notepad++) as outlined in the Enumerations article. A description of some enumerations listed in the EDGE-enum.xml file is available on the Enumeration Dictionary page.

Plugins\Format.xse

Encrypted Plugins format file required for custom data sections to load in the EDGE format, including additional sections in the "Field" and "Field Loggers" group. This file is required for chain of custody records in the EDD (COC_v1 and COC_Analysis_v1 sections) to be created in the EDP data package and committed to the relevant database tables (DT_CHAIN_OF_CUSTODY, etc.). Mappings from the EDGE format to the EQuIS Live data tables (e.g., DT_LOGGER, DT_LOGGER_SERIES, etc.) are also enabled in the Format.xse file.

Plugins\EDGE-enum.xml

A dummy enumeration file necessary for the EDGE plugin mechanism to function. Note that it is important not to modify this file. Any alteration will compromise the functionality of EDGE.