[fitsbits] INHERIT and Hierarchical Grouping

Doug Tody wrote (06-04-2007) regarding INHERIT:
I agree with Steve that this is a simple example of a broader problem
of associating relational entities. FITS is in essence a relational
system; every FITS object (even an image) is actually a table.
INHERIT is a simple means for specifying the relationship between two
or more tables composed as an MEF. A FITS MEF is a simple container
with one level of structure. ...
The real problem with INHERIT is that it is a simplistic solution to
what is a more general problem.

Since no one else has commented on this yet, I'll just point out that
the Hierarchical Grouping convention (now also open for public comment)
provides a more general mechanism for specifying the relationship
between multiple HDUs that may be in different files or even on
different computer systems. Information about both the INHERIT and
Hierarchical Grouping conventions is available at
http://fits.gsfc.nasa.gov/fits_registry.html.

Does anyone have any comments about the Hierarchical Grouping convention
itself? Are there any deficiencies or limitations in this convention
that have not been considered? Are there alternative ways of
accomplishing the same thing that might be simpler or offer more
features than this convention?

Bill Pence
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Dr. William Pence
NASA/GSFC Code 662 HEASARC +1-301-286-4599 (voice)
Greenbelt MD 20771 +1-301-286-1684 (fax)