WebDelta is a set of perl scripts that can be used to setup a database in DELTA (DEscription Language for TAxonomy) format through the Web. Using the character and the specification files a web interface is built to allow any authorized user to fill out a character description form and to save the queries into a character file. Queries will be automatically translated in DELTA format. Such a system does not require knowledge by the user of the DELTA syntax and allows consistency to the standard format of the input data. The data entry is done with multiple choice queries, numerical or text fields built directly from the character list.
This can be useful when the character description of a particular taxa is done by several groups located in different places. The validity of numeric fields is checked on the fly using javascripts. Also included are a couple of perl scripts that allow to automatically create an image gallery page.

WebDelta in action
Installation and system requirements
FAQ
Download WebDelta 1.2 (June 8, 1999)  (154 KB)

 
- The Character file must contain a line with   *CHARACTER LIST   just above the character list.
- The Item file must contain a line with   *ITEM DESCRIPTIONS   just above the items.
- The Specification file must contain the   *CHARACTER TYPES   codification.

Known limitations:

• Even though we tried to be conform to the DETLA format, please keep in mind that the system has been tested only with a small set of character description. Furthermore, WebDelta has been tested only on a Unix server, using Natscape 4.0 as web browser.
• The Delta format allows comments after each numeric field, but this can create problems for Confor-Intkey conpatibility.

• Delta format allows to specify multistate characters with '&' and '-' separators denoting 'and' and 'to' respectively. This is difficult to implement within WebDelta. The use of the '-' separator can be can be avoide by selecting each item, for example: 1-4 can be done by selecteing 1/2/3/4. The '&' separator can not be used. For example:

Leaves color:
1) Green
2) Red
3) Yellow
Suppose that the taxon you are describing has leaves with Red and Yellow strips. Delta format will allow you to specify Leaves color,2&3. This is not possible with WebDelta. The only way to overcome the problem is to ask the webmaster to add the option 4) Red and Yellow.

• In both the Character file and the Items file, nested comments or <> characters within a comment will cause problems during the parsing.

• *DEFINE DELIMITERS property is not implemented. Only standard delimiters are valid.

• If you already have an Item file, please note that in numeric characters the extreme values (upper and lower limits) must be enclosed within parentheses. Comments between the character number and the value are discarded example: 3<comment>,(1-)2-5-9(-12).

Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its documentation for NON-COMMERCIAL purposes and without fee is hereby granted provided that this copyright notice appears in all copies.

THE AUTHORS AND PUBLISHER MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ABOUT THE SUITABILITY OF THE SOFTWARE, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. THE AUTHORS AND PUBLISHER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES SUFFERED BY LICENSEE AS A RESULT OF USING, MODIFYING OR DISTRIBUTING THIS SOFTWARE OR ITS DERIVATIVES.