What is a .NAMES file?
A .NAMES file is a simple text document that gives details about a database that ends in .data. Think of it like a label on a jar that tells you what's inside and where it came from. It's a bit like a .MANIFEST file, which is a list of everything in a computer program, but for databases. This NAMES file can tell you who gathered the information in the database, where and when they got it, how it's been used before, if you need to mention someone if you use the data, and what each piece of data means.
You can open a .NAMES file with any program that lets you look at or change text documents. Here are some options: - **For Windows users:** You can use Notepad, WordPad, or Microsoft Word. Notepad and WordPad come with Windows, so you don't need to install anything extra. Microsoft Word is part of Microsoft Office, which you might already have. - **For Mac users:** TextEdit is a simple text editor included with macOS, and Apple Pages is a more advanced word processor that can also open .NAMES files. Both are part of macOS.
- **For Linux users:** Leafpad, gedit, KWrite, and Geany are popular text editors that can open .NAMES files. Which one you have depends on your Linux distribution, but you can usually install any of them if you don't have them already.
- **On mobile devices:** If you're using an iPhone or iPad, Apple Pages can open .NAMES files. For Android devices, you can use Microsoft Office or Word, which you can download from the Google Play Store.
Mostly, you'll come across a .NAMES file if you're downloading a database from the internet, especially from a research database. It's made by the researchers to help you understand the data better. Opening a .NAMES file is as easy as opening a note on your computer or phone. Just right-click on the file and choose the program you like to use for text documents. If you're using a computer, Notepad (on Windows) or TextEdit (on macOS) are the simplest choices since they're already there, ready to use.
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