Key Properties

The format has a simple structure and an unambiguous sequence of fields in a record, independent of the information's value.

The format provides the capability to verify data integrity during storage and after transmission over communication lines, as well as minimal information loss in the event of data errors.

The open format possesses properties that allow for building an archive of digital maps based on it using various technical means and for exchanging spatial data between different systems. These properties include the following:

• All data is contained in a single file, which eliminates the possibility of archiving or providing information to the consumer in an incomplete state, simplifies file search and accounting; data extraction from the file can be performed through a single sequential read, which speeds up processes essential for storage and exchange, such as copying, data structure control, conversion, and others.

• All information about a single object is stored as sequentially located strings; there are no address references between parts of the file or different files, which ensures correct data processing after failures of software or hardware means; if a failure occurs during reading or writing of data in the SXF format, leading to the loss of a file fragment, the records located before and after the faulty section will be processed correctly.

• The structure of the SXF format contains service fields (identifiers for the start of records, file start identifier, data descriptor, etc.), which are necessary for controlling the structural integrity of SXF files, recovering data after failures of software and hardware means, and conducting data reviews during long-term storage in an archive.

• The SXF format allows storing object geometry in a three-dimensional coordinate system in either integer or floating-point form, enabling its use for creating high-precision maps and solving other tasks.

• The composition of passport data can be expanded to account for the development of information support through the use of a key form for presenting characteristics.

• The format does not include a description of the visual representation of electronic map objects, which can vary even on the same computer model but with different display means; however, the format allows for organizing a link between object data and its representation forms through classifier tables, which can be used at the stage of applying electronic maps.

The conventional code of the format is SXF (Storage and eXchange Format).