Getting to Know Note Attributes in SAMSON’s NSL

For molecular modelers working in SAMSON, managing complex molecular data efficiently is always a high priority. This often involves understanding and using the note attributes in the Node Specification Language (NSL). These attributes can help you organize, filter, and manipulate note nodes in your molecular designs. Let’s take a deeper look at what they offer and how they can be useful in your workflow.

What are Note Attributes?

In SAMSON, note nodes belong to a specific attribute space called the note attribute space. This space has a short name, nt, which can be used for quicker specification. Each attribute allows you to refine and manipulate note nodes based on their properties, making it easier to interact with complex models. Here are the key attributes you should know:

Key Attributes and Their Uses

Attribute Name	Short Name	Possible Values	Examples
`hidden`	`h`	`true`, `false`	`nt.h`, `not nt.h`
`name`	`n`	strings in quotes	`nt.n "A"`, `nt.n "L*"`
`selected`		`true`, `false`	`nt.selected`, `not nt.selected`
`selectionFlag`	`sf`	`true`, `false`	`nt.sf false`, `nt.sf`
`visibilityFlag`	`vf`	`true`, `false`	`nt.vf false`, `nt.vf`
`visible`	`v`	`true`, `false`	`nt.v`, `not nt.v`

Practical Examples

Understanding these attributes is much simpler when seen in action:

Hide a note: To check if a note is hidden, use the attribute nt.h. For example, not nt.h allows you to identify notes that are not hidden, helping you focus on visible elements.
Find a note by name: If you’re searching for specific notes based on their names, the name attribute is invaluable. Use nt.n "A" to locate a note named “A,” or a wildcard like nt.n "L*" to search for nodes with names that start with “L.”
Visibility management: The visible attribute (v) can ensure you’re working with elements currently visible in your molecular model. For example, nt.v returns nodes that are visible.

Inherited Attributes

Some of the note attributes are inherited from the node attribute space, such as:

hidden, selected, and selectionFlag for managing visibility and selection.
visibilityFlag and visible for visibility state control.

Understanding what each of these attributes does, along with their short names and values, equips you with better control over your molecular models. While these attributes are specific to note nodes, their inherited behavior makes them flexible for broader tasks.

Why Use Note Attributes?

Molecular modelers deal with immense details, and the ability to filter, identify, and manage information with precision reduces errors and saves time. Note attributes in NSL enhance your ability to:

Easily focus on the specific parts of your models that matter most.
Identify and hide irrelevant data to prevent clutter in your workspace.
Search for notes containing critical annotations or specific identifiers.

Check out the full documentation page to learn more.

SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.