For molecular modelers, efficiently managing and filtering attributes can often feel like navigating a maze of complexity. SAMSON's Node Specification Language (NSL) offers an elegant solution to this challenge through the use of propertyModel attributes. These attributes enable users to filter, query, and control aspects of property model nodes in a streamlined way, saving time and enhancing productivity.
What Are Property Model Attributes?
Property model attributes belong to the propertyModel attribute space in SAMSON's Node Specification Language (short name: pm). These attributes are specifically designed to match property model nodes, allowing users to define, query, and manipulate properties in a highly specific and efficient manner.
Key Property Model Attributes at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the core attributes available in the propertyModel space:
| Attribute Name | Short Name | Possible Values | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| hasMaterial | hm | true, false | pm.hm, not pm.hm |
| hidden | h | true, false | pm.h, not pm.h |
| name | n | Strings in quotes | pm.n "A", pm.n "L*" |
| ownsMaterial | om | true, false | pm.om |
| selected | N/A | true, false | pm.selected, not pm.selected |
| selectionFlag | sf | true, false | pm.sf false, pm.sf |
| visibilityFlag | vf | true, false | pm.vf false, pm.vf |
| visible | v | true, false | pm.v, not pm.v |
Getting Started with Property Model Attributes
One of the main benefits of these attributes is their ability to extend query and selection capabilities for specific nodes. For example, with hasMaterial (pm.hm), you can identify nodes that are associated with materials or exclude those that aren’t by using a query like not pm.hm. Similarly, the name attribute enables name-based filtering of property model nodes with expressions like pm.n "L*" to match nodes whose names start with the letter "L".
Inherited Attributes
Many of these attributes inherit their functionality from the general node attribute space. This means they follow standard conventions but are specific to property model nodes. For example, visibilityFlag (pm.vf) allows you to toggle the visibility of nodes efficiently. Similarly, hidden (pm.h) can be used to check whether nodes are explicitly hidden.
Conclusion
Efficient attribute filtering can save significant effort, especially when dealing with complex molecular models. The comprehensive set of propertyModel attributes in NSL simplifies node querying and filtering, empowering molecular modelers to focus on what truly matters: their design objectives.
To discover more about these attributes and how to use them, visit the official documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON here.