Open Data Networks for Software and Programming Formats
In an effort to ensure the long-term preservation of digital assets, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has developed a Software and Code Preservation Plan. This plan serves as a test criteria for tools and processes used in format transformations, as outlined in their Digital Preservation Framework.
The Framework includes a list of specific files, such as the 32-bit Portable Executable file with NARA Format ID NF00380, the 64-bit Portable Executable file with NARA Format ID NF00536, and the ASP.NET HTTP Handler File with NARA Format ID NF00735. However, the search results do not provide direct information on the specific file extensions associated with software and code categories in NARA's Digital Preservation Framework.
While the available documents discuss file format guidelines and policies from other institutions like Library and Archives Canada and general metadata or security practices, they do not detail NARA’s software/code-related file extensions. For the exact and official list of specific file extensions recognized under NARA’s Digital Preservation Framework for software and code, it is recommended to consult NARA’s official digital preservation documentation or technical standards directly.
Typical archival digital preservation frameworks, including those promoted by NARA, often include file extensions such as source code files (, , , , , , , , , , , etc.), script files (, , ), markup or configuration files (, , , , ), compiled binaries or executables (, , ), version control or build files (, ), and more.
NARA’s guidelines prioritise preservation formats that support long-term accessibility and preservation of the code itself rather than executables alone. Open, text-based files with robust documentation are preferred. Examples of software and code files with various file extensions, such as , , , , , , , , , and , can be found in NARA holdings.
The list of software and code files, along with their corresponding NARA Format IDs, is accessible online at specific URLs, such as https://www.our website.gov/files/lod/dpframework/id/NF00380.ttl and https://www.our website.gov/files/lod/dpframework/id/NF00735.ttl. Each file in the list has a corresponding Linked Open Data TTL file available online.
It's important to note that the Software and Code Preservation Plan is not exhaustive nor universally applicable proposed actions and recommended or endorsed tools. The plan documents the significant properties of software and code records, and the Digital Preservation Framework as Linked Open Data includes the same elements as are available in the version of the Preservation Plans on GitHub.
Software can be defined as a set of instructions that computers follow to perform tasks, while programming software is a set of tools developers use to write programs. Application software can be a single piece of code or a collection of programs, intended to perform specific tasks such as office suites, gaming applications, database systems, and educational software. System software includes device drivers, operating systems, scripts, compilers, disk formatters, text editors, and utilities.
NARA makes its Linked Open Data available in Resource Description Framework Terse RDF Triple Language or RDF Turtle (.ttl files). For more detailed information, it is recommended to consult NARA’s official digital preservation documentation or technical standards directly.
Technology plays a crucial role in data and cloud computing, particularly in the realm of digital preservation. For instance, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) employs various technologies to preserve software and code, as outlined in their Software and Code Preservation Plan.
