anand1459 has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hi I have a gcd file and want to convert it to mzXML or any genric format so that i can visualize the data in a chromatogram. for doing so, I would be happy if you could suggest the methos by whcih i can do so without using vendor software. Thanks Anand

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Re: convert gcd files of shimadzu
by ww (Archbishop) on Nov 26, 2013 at 17:22 UTC

    Explaining any terms likely to be unfamiliar to laymen or specialists in other fields (most of the Monks, for example, or, at least, to /me anyway) when raising a question here (rather than, making us search for explanations) is helpful or even prerequisite if you hope for quick, on-target help.

    Starting with the most nearly obvious:

    • mzXML is an open data format for storage and exchange of mass spectroscopy data, developed at the SPC/Institute for Systems Biology.
    • shimadzu is a tech corp which uses .gcd as a format for some of its mass spectrometers (and other tools?)
    • .gcd is a file format used as above, and for digital architectural drawings and for map files for the like of Garmin's mobile/portable gps devices.

    See I know what I mean. Why don't you? and please also note that most SoPW should demonstrate that you've made some effort to answer your own question. If you're stuck whilst coding, please include your code, error messages and warnings, etc.. as well as sample data.

Re: convert gcd files of shimadzu
by Anonymous Monk on Nov 26, 2013 at 16:13 UTC
    A) Search CPAN to see if it has already been done. If so, use it and you're done.

    B) If the format has some documentation:
    1. ) Look up documentation to understand the source file.
    2. ) Convert the file by hand once to be sure you understand it.
    3. ) Write function to do the same thing you just did by hand.
    4. ) Upload it as a module to CPAN
    C) If there is no documentation:
    1. ) Create a few of the simplest possible sets of data you can make, and save them.
    2. ) Open the files in a hex editor and compare them in order to figure out how the data is arranged.
    3. ) Repeat from Step 1 until you understand how all the features you care about are saved.
    4. ) Convert the file by hand.
    5. ) Write a function to do the same thing.
    6. ) Upload it as a module to CPAN.