Unique file names created in a consistent form should ideally assist both machine and human processing of the files themselves by incorporating elements conveying:

  • File format (e.g. by a suffix such as .MRC to indicate a MARC exchange file)
  • The content of the file (e.g. via a prefix such as NB for ‘National Bibliography’)
  • Some indication of the issue, part or date of the file contents (e.g. 06092014 for a file covering material released on September 6th 2014 or 2058 for issue 2058 of  national bibliography)
  • Sub-component number if a larger data file has been split for ease of transmission.