File format validators

File format validators are modules that check that the previously characterized file is valid, according to the structure defined by its format specification.

Note: in order to select validators and relate them to the preservation plan, we have to have assigned some characterizers to the preservation plan previously.

Validators are associated to the preservation plan by file format. For each one of them, we can assign a minimum required validation level.

Based on the possible validator processing responses, there are three possible levels of required minimum validation set:

• Validity obligation for these files: the only acceptable response for files processed by the validator is ‘valid file’; any other response will cause the ingestion job to end with error.

• Validity or non-validated obligation for these files: this level accepts that files processed by the validator get ‘valid file’ or ‘non-validated file’ responses. In this case, an ingestion job will end in error only if, after processing the files, some of them get the ‘non-valid file’ response.

• No validation or validation status obligation for these files: this is the least restrictive level of all. It will take any type of response from the validators. It is recommended when we only want to get the validation information, but without affecting anything else.

Note: there are file formats that are ruled by stricter specifications than others, which is why this must be taken into account when setting the minimum validation level accepted.