A Collection is a group or set of HEC-DSS time-series datasets that share a common location (A & B Parts), parameter (C Part), and time-step (E-Part). Any set of DSS time-series records for a given location, parameter, and time-step can be put into a collection, however, when applied to an ensemble, the records grouped into a collection must span a common time window.
The "collection" concept is implemented through an F-part naming convention. The F-part of each member of a collection has a collection ID string prepended to a common version label (F Part). The collection ID string is made up of: "C:" followed by a 6-digit collection member number (ID) and ending with a pipe symbol "|". The | is used as a delimiter; it separates the collection ID string from the standard F-part string that specifies the "version" or uniqueness of the data. The ID number must be 6 digits long and may be simple integers or alpha-numeric strings, but must be unique within the collection. Like the other pathname parts, the "version" string following the | will be the same for all members in the collection.
Below is an example pathname of a collection member: /YUBA/SMARTSVILLE/FLOW/01JAN1997-30SEP1997/1HOUR/C:000042|ESP/