Blocks

Blocks are denoted by square brackets.  Therefore the example above has two blocks: [TEST_CONDITIONS] and [PERSONNEL].  Sub-blocks are denoted by parenthesis, in the example above the [TEST_CONDITIONS] block contains two sub-blocks: (TIME) and (WIND).  A block ends where another block begins or at the end of the file.  In above example the [TEST_CONDITIONS] block ends at the next block: [PERSONNEL].  While the [PERSONNEL] block ends at the end of the file.

Blocks may contain parameters, sub-blocks and tables.

Parameters

Parameters have a name followed by an equal sign “=” and a value.  For example “TEMPERATURE = 10.5”.  The value is either a number or a quoted string, either single or double quotes may be used.

Sub-Blocks

Sub-blocks are denoted by parenthesis.  So the example above has two sub-blocks: (WIND) and (TIME).  A sub-block ends where another sub-block or block begins, or at the end of the file.

Tables

Tables are denoted by curly braces, so in the example above the block [PERSONNEL] contains a table.  The curly braces can hold any ascii character or nothing at all, but by convention they identify the data columns.  A table ends where another table, sub-block, or block begins, at a comment or a blank line, or at the end of the file.

A table may contain one or more lines of data, with each line containing one or more columns of values.  Values may be either a number or a quota string.

Comments

Comments begin with a dollar sign ($) or an exclamation point (!).  Comments are ignored by the reader and may contain any ascii character.

Names

Block, sub-block, parameter, and table column consist of any ascii character except those reserved as delimiters, specifically names may not contain:  [, ], {, }, (, ), $,!, or =.