Understanding File Attributes in SAMSON’s Node Specification Language (NSL)

For molecular modelers working on integrative projects, organizing and precisely targeting specific data within molecular models is a critical task. SAMSON, the cutting-edge platform for molecular design, leverages the Node Specification Language (NSL) to help users effectively control their datasets. A valuable aspect of NSL is its handling of file attributes, which ensure that your workflows are accurate and focused.

File attributes belong to the file attribute space, abbreviated as fi, and are unique to file nodes. These attributes enable you to query and manipulate file-specific properties in your molecular projects. Let’s dive into the key file attributes and how they can enhance your workflow with actionable examples!

Key File Attributes and Their Usage

The NSL documentation defines three important attributes within the file attribute space:

  • Name (name): Identifies the file node by a string. This is helpful when you want to select nodes based on their name pattern. Example usage:
    • fi.n "A" – Selects a file node named “A”.
    • fi.n "L*" – Selects all file nodes whose names start with the letter L.
  • Selected (selected): Indicates whether a file node is currently selected (true or false). It does not have a short name. Example usage:
    • fi.selected – Selects all currently selected file nodes.
    • not fi.selected – Excludes all currently selected file nodes.
  • Selection Flag (selectionFlag): Marks a node explicitly with a selection flag for customized workflows. It uses the short name sf. Example usage:
    • fi.sf false – Excludes file nodes with the selection flag set to false.
    • fi.sf – Selects file nodes with the selection flag set to true.

Why File Attributes Matter

These attributes provide molecular modelers with a simple yet powerful way to filter and adjust their model data. Whether you are targeting files with specific names, streamlining selections, or using selection flags for customizable operations, file attributes make it easy to get precise results. For instance, if you are working on a large molecular design project and want to isolate specific datasets for analysis, combining name, selected, and selectionFlag attributes can save valuable time and effort.

Learn More

To deepen your understanding of file attributes and explore more examples, visit the official documentation: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/nsl/file/

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

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