Version 100-2.0 of NASA FITS Standard released

[Peter Teuben]

Having been on the original NOST-1 panel, and working with
FITS Random  Format files almost on a daily basis I've of course
also been weary about what "deprecate" really means. You can
even find a definition in the current NOST manual.

We (the panel) meant to tell the community that new data should
not be using this format, since "better" ones are available
(binary tables). However, existing ones should indeed fall under
the "once fits, always fits" chapter.


In an older version we defined it as:

"To express earnest disapproval of. This term is used to refer to   obsolete
structures that ought not to be used but remain valid."

However, there has been some discussion that the word "ought" in
that definition may be too strong.


I remind you that we deprecated 3 FITS features:

- random groups
- the BLOCKED keyword
- the EPOCH keyword 

but again, it remains true that old data will not be deprecated,
one will be able to read it. It's meant to refer to new data, but
does not disallow it, but may be frowned upon.


Bill Cotton wrote:

>    I note with dismay that this version of the NASA FITS standard
> still tries to deprecate the FITS random groups format.  This format
> is in widespread use in the radio interferometry community.  The
> attempt to deprecate this format is in violation of the fundamental
> principle of FITS, "once FITS, always FITS".  Clintonian weasel words
> on the subject are not helpful.  I am forced to question the
> responsiveness of the NASA committee to the non-NASA FITS community.
> 
> -Bill Cotton


peter