Data OrganizationFile and Directory Names

Organizing Your Files and Directories

Searching & finding

Sharing

Security

Clarity

Preservation

Improves

• Folders named for major functions/activities

• Structure by date or event (especially subfolders)

• Names should be self-explanatory

• Avoid duplication

• Make it simple & consistent

Organizing Files & Directories

File Names

• Use descriptive names• Not too long; CamelCase• Try to include time

– Date using YYYYMMDD– Use version numbers

• Don’t use spaces– May use “-” or “_”

• Don’t change default extensions

File Naming and Directory Organizing

Astronomy Observatory Runs

Directory: source + dateEx. September 2012 = sep12Source: c40 = Las Campanas 40-inch

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Sub-Directory: one directory for each night; n# (# for the number of the night). Additional directories for “special” data, and log files that apply to entire run.

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Files: for each nightly directory, number sequentially starting w/1001 (for night 1, first data frame), then for night two start with 2001, etc. The original raw data files are kept in a separate, read-only directory.

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