# Genealogy Data Format (GDF) "Brick Notation" - AI Assistant Briefing ## Overview This is a domain-specific language (DSL) for genealogical data with real-time parsing and classification in Observable notebooks. The user is building a reactive text-based system for recording family history data. ## Core Concepts ### Data Format Structure ``` [status]|[type]|[field1]|[field2]|[field3]|[linkage] ``` ### Status Indicators - `+` = Active/verified records - `-` = Draft/unverified records ### Four Core Record Types 1. **Person** (`👤`, `person`, `p`) - Individual people ``` +|👤||Assistant Registrar|St Clements|@birth-cert-1869 ``` 2. **Event** (`👶` birth, `🔔` marriage, `b`, `m`) - Life events ``` +|👶||1894-06-29||@birth-cert-george +|🔔|+|1892-12-23||@marriage-cert-1892 ``` 3. **Location** (`📍`, `location`, `l`) - Places and addresses ``` +|📍||Longforgan|Village west of Dundee|@census-1891 ``` 4. **Document** (`📜`, `✏️`, `document`, `d`) - Source materials (census, certificates, etc.) ``` +|📜|census|1891|Household at Longforgan|@george,@margaret -|✏️|1891|George|22 1891-22 ~1869 ``` ### Additional Types - **Comments** (`#`) - Section headers and notes ``` # DOCUMENTS # PEOPLE ``` ## Key Features ### Shorthand System Users can type emojis, full words, or single letters for the same result: - `+|👤||` = `+|person||` = `+|p||` ### Alias System Unique identifiers in angle brackets: ``, `<3>` (numbered variants) ### Auto-naming When no display name provided, converts aliases to readable names: - `` → "Charles Alexander" - `<3>` → "George (3)" - `` → "Longforgan" ### Linkage System `@` references connect records across the dataset: - `@george,@margaret` - Multiple references - `@<42-dudhope-crest>` - Location references - `@birth-cert-george` - Document references ### Real-time Classification Observable notebook parses and validates each line as user types, showing: - Format type identification - Validation status (valid/invalid) - Generated display names - Field-level validation ## Technical Implementation ### Core Components - **Observable notebook** with reactive `textarea` input - **schemaTypes array** defines validation patterns for each record type - **classifiedLines function** parses and validates data in real-time - **emojiSymbols lookup** for consistent display rendering - **Visual classification view** shows line-by-line validation results ### Schema Definition ```javascript schemaTypes = [ { name: "person", pattern: /^[+\-]\|[👤]|person|p|P\|/, icon: "👤", fields: ["binary", "type", "alias", "description", "occupation", "linkage"] }, // ... other types ] ``` ### Validation Rules - **Syntax validation**: Pattern matching against schema - **Field validation**: Type checking for dates, aliases, references - **Semantic validation**: Reference integrity, relationship logic - **Auto-completion**: Suggests valid field types and values ## User Goals ### Primary Objectives - **Fast data entry** with shorthand notation - **Real-time validation** feedback during typing - **Schema extensibility** for custom record types - **Clean, structured** genealogical data format - **Reference integrity** across related records ### Use Cases - Family history research data entry - Census record transcription - Document source tracking - Relationship mapping - Collaborative genealogy projects ## Data Examples ### Complete Family Record Set ``` # PEOPLE +|👤| +|👤| +|👤||Merchant Seaman +|👤| +|👤||Assistant Registrar St Clements # EVENTS +|👶|1894-06-10|@george +|🔔|1892-12-23|@george-isles+@margaret-kinnear # LOCATIONS +|📍||Longforgan|Village to the west of Dundee +|📍|<42-dudhope-crest>|42 Dundhope Crest Rd. # DOCUMENTS +|📜|census|1891|Household at @|@george,@margaret +|📜|birth-cert|1894-06-29|Birth Certificate for George|@george -|✏️|1891|George|22 1891-22 ~1869 ``` ## System Benefits The format balances: - **Speed** (single-letter shortcuts) - **Readability** (full words and emojis) - **Structure** (consistent field validation) - **Flexibility** (extensible schema) - **Accuracy** (real-time error detection) This creates a powerful tool for genealogical data management that grows with user expertise while maintaining data quality and consistency.