How to describe (in NXDL) that a given element should be a link to another element?

[prjemian]

In an NXDL, how can we prescribe that a given element should be a link to another element? E.g. NXprocess1.input_data must be a link to NXprocess0.output_data

[prjemian]

The nxdl.xsd (XML Schema for NXDL) describes a link element. The documentation provides this example:

    <link name="data" target="/NXentry/NXinstrument/NXdetector/data"/>

which uses the NeXus class path (rather than specific names of groups). Since the names of group may be flexible, it becomes more difficult to require a specific named HDF5 address in the NXDL file.

[prjemian]

Can we use something such as pump_source:NXsource to pick between multiple NXsource groups?

[sanbrock]

SOURCE[pump_source]:NXsource

[prjemian]

No work on this issue at 2022-06 Code Camp. Not necessary to resolve this for release of NXDL now.

[prjemian]

SOURCE[pump_source]:NXsource

The suggestion looks clear. Let's make a branch & PR to present to the NIAC at the next meeting.