8.5.1 Search Sequence

1. Search the directory given by the GeoVu keyword format_dir for a format description file named datafile.fmt.
2. Search the directory given by the GeoVu keyword format_dir for variable description files named datafile.afm, datafile.bfm, and datafile.dfm.

   NOTE: Step 2 is included to accommodate variable description files that were created using previous versions of FreeForm ND. It is recommended that you convert existing variable description files to format description files.

3. Search the directory given by the GeoVu keyword format_dir for a format description file named ext.fmt. If the GeoVu keyword format_dir is not found, FreeForm ND continues the search for a format file as follows.
4. Search the current (default) directory for a format description file named datafile.fmt.
5. Search the current directory for variable description files named datafile.afm, datafile.bfm, and datafile.dfm. Use the criteria in step 2 for determining input and output format files.
6. Search the current directory for a format description file named ext.fmt. If the data file's home directory is not the same as the current directory, FreeForm ND continues the search for a format file with steps 7-9. The data file's home directory is given by the directory path component of the data file name. If the data file name has no directory path component, the home directory search is not done.
7. Search the data file's home directory for a format description file named datafile.fmt.
8. Search the data file's home directory for variable description files named datafile.afm, datafile.bfm, and datafile.dfm. Use the criteria in step 2 for determining input and output format files.
9. Search the data file's home directory for a format description file named ext.fmt.