ADL Workbench Help - Files

Accessing Archetype Files

Both flat and differential archetypes can be accessed as files.

Opening an ad hoc archetype file An archetype that is not in any of the configured repositories can be opened using the Open button, or File>Open. When the archetype is opened, it will be attached into the explorer in the correct place according to its ontological type. In the current release, either .adl or .adls files can be opened. The .adl file should be opened if that is what is considered the original source.
Using an External Editor If desired the archetype can be edited via the "Edit" button at the top left. The editor can be chosen via the Options menu. If changes are made to an archetype in an external editor and saved, the "Parse" button needs to be used to re-evaluate the archetype. In the current release, if an .adls file is available, it will be loaded into the editor. If no .adls file is available, due to failure to compile, the original .adl file will be loaded. In future releases, when archetypes are represented primarily in .adls files, only this file type will be available in the editor.
Saving an archetype Archetypes can be serialised (i.e. saved) using the "Save As" option under the File menu. The serialisation form is chosen from the combo box in the Save dialog. The ADL and HTML (colourised ADL) formats are currently supported. Save as ADL causes the .adls file to be saved. An example of an HTML serialised archetype is shown here.