Stand-Up
Data Files



Files Types

Stand-Up uses three file types to store information about comics, and more specifically, the comics in your collection. The file types are:

In the typical case, you will have one Template File for each different title (e.g. Amazing Spider-Man Volume 1) in your collection. You will also have one corresponding User Data File for each of those titles. Finally, you will have a single Index File, which defines the way that you group the titles in your collection.

This picture shows the associated directory hierarchy.

This directory tree can live anywhere on your computer. Stand-Up remembers the last index you were using, and automatically re-opens it when the program is started.

The Stand-Up distribution contains a small example file set, which you can modify to suit your requirements.

Alternatively, you can use the File -> Open... menu item to open a new file. The "template" and "user" directories will automatically be created in the directory where you specify the new Index File. See the Tutorial for more detail.


Template Files

The Template Files (.tem) files contain all of the information related to the title in general, regardless of who those comics it may belong to. Specifically, the template file for a title may contain:

For each issue in the title, the template file may contain:

Template files are generic to anybody. A number of template files for Marvel comics are available at the Stand-Up Home Page for download in ZIP file format.

For a detailed description of the Template File syntax, refer to the File Syntax page.


User Data Files

The User Data Files (.dat) files contain all of the information related to the particular comic book that you own. Specifically, user data file for a title may contain:

For each issue in the title:

The User Data Files are specific to your comics. A User Data File for any individual comic title is automatically created when you first tell Stand-Up that you own an issue from that title.

For a detailed description of the User Data File syntax, refer to the File Syntax page.


Index Files

Your Index File (.idx) describes how you perceive the comics you own. It allows you to structure the titles in the way that best matches how you view your comics.

Generally, you only need one index file - which is called "default.idx".

An index file describes how you structure your comics. This may match with other people's view, or it may not. If you download my Marvel Comics templates from the Stand-Up Home Page, you will see that it includes a "default.idx" file to get you started. You will probably want to modify this to suit your tastes.

For a detailed description of the Index File syntax, refer to the File Syntax page.


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