HEC-DSS uses a block of sequential data as the basic unit of storage. Each block contains a series of values of a single variable over a time span appropriate for most applications. The basic purpose of HEC-DSS is the organization of data into records of continuous, applications-related elements, as opposed to individually addressable data items. This approach is more efficient for scientific applications than that of a conventional database system because it avoids the processing and storage overhead required for assembling an equivalent record from a conventional system. Data is stored in blocks, or records, within a file, and each record is identified by a unique name called a pathname.

Renaming Records

To change the pathname parts of a pathname:

  1. One or more pathnames must be selected for this command to be available.

  2. From the Edit menu, click Rename Records. The Rename Records to: dialog box opens.

    Figure:  Rename Records to Dialog Box

  3. Each of the boxes (A - F) represents the different pathname parts. Users can change the parts by typing the new information in the appropriate box.
  4. Click OK. The Rename Records to: dialog box closes and a message appears displaying the number of records renamed. The selected pathname is no longer displayed in the Selected Pathname Box and the pathname displays in the Pathname Table with the new pathname parts.

Duplicating Records

Users can duplicate records to make a copy of a record with an altered pathname part. To duplicate records:

  1. One or more pathnames must be selected for this command to be available.
  2. From the Edit menu, choose Duplicate. The New pathname parts for duplicate records: dialog box opens.
  3. Each of the boxes (A - F) represents the different pathname parts. Users can enter new names for each of the parts in the fields.
  4. Click OK, the New pathname parts for duplicate records: dialog box closes, a message appears informing the user of the number of records that were duplicated. A new pathname is displayed in the Pathname Table.

Deleting Records

To delete records:

  1. One or more pathnames must be selected for this command to be available.
  2. A warning message dialog box appears, stating that records are going to be deleted.
  3. To delete, click Yes. The warning message dialog box closes. A message appears displaying the number of records deleted.
  4. The deleted records no longer appear in the Pathname Table.

Editing Data Associated with Records

Users can edit the data associated with a pathname, if the users have the appropriate permissions. To edit, from the Edit menu click Tabular Edit. Users can edit data directly, enter new time-series data or paired data, or use math functions to manipulate the data. All of these features are detailed in the HEC-DSSVue User's Manual.