What does it mean to parse metadata?
As stated earlier, all metadata records are based on the FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata. The standard provides for a consistent structure where each metadata element is explicitly defined and stored in a hierarchical structure. If values are incorrectly entered, or if the format structure is inconsistent, the metadata looses it’s compliancy. To prevent these errors, the document must be parsed, or reviewed for syntax. • How does parsing help? Because the FGDC metadata content standard provides for a consistent structure, parsing can easily compare the input file against the FGDC standard. Discrepancies between the input and the standard are syntax errors. • Are errors easy to fix? There are two answers to that question: Yes and No. Most often, a simple error creates a cascade of additional errors. This can results in an error message that seems to indicate nothing in the record is valid. Resolving these errors typically involve a simple adjustment to a sentence,
