Spectra Precision Survey Pro CE v3.6 User Manual - Manual (Page 35)

Getting Started
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Raw Data Files
A raw data file is an ASCII text file that is automatically generated
whenever a new job is created on the data collector. It has the same
file name as the job file (the job name), followed by the *.RAW
extension.
A raw data file is a log of everything that occurred in the field. All
activity that can create or modify a point is written to a raw data file.
Survey Pro never “reads” from the raw data file – it only writes to the
file. Since a raw data file stores all of the activity that takes place in
the field, it can be used to regenerate the original job file if the job file
was somehow lost. This process requires the TDS Survey Link
software.
A raw data file is considered a legal document and editing it can
invalidate all of its contents and is not supported in any way by TDS.
TDS Survey Link allows you to edit some fields of a raw data file, but
other fields cannot be edited since those fields typically tie into other
fields in a complex way. Editing these fields in a text editor is
possible, but likely to corrupt the contents of the raw data file.
When viewing a raw data file on a PC using a simple text editor or on
Survey Pro using the View Raw Data screen, the file is shown
unaltered, which can appear somewhat cryptic. When viewing the file
from within Survey Link, the codes are automatically translated on
the screen to a format that is easier to understand.
Refer to the TDS Web site for a downloadable document that explains
the meaning of the codes used in a raw data file.