2.2.1 Energistics Packaging Conventions (EPC)

EPC is a set of conventions that allows multiple files to be grouped together as a single package (or file), which makes it easier to exchange the many files that may make up a model. Adopted initially for use with RESQML, EPC is now part of the Energistics Common Technical Architecture. EPC is an implementation of the Open Packaging Conventions (OPC), a commonly used container file technology standard supported by two international standards organizations.

Essentially, an EPC file (sometimes referred to as an Energistics package) is a “zip” file, which may be “unzipped” to view its components. In RESQML, the zipping/unzipping is done using the OPC libraries (per the EPC specification) implemented as part of RESQML. However, any software tool that can read a zip file can be used to unzip and see the contents of an EPC file. (To open an EPC file with a zip tool, do the following: Select the EPC file, right-click with the mouse, and select the command to "Open with", and then choose your zip reader tool.)

IMPORTANT! Data exchange using RESQML v2.0 (or higher) requires the use of an EPC file.

• For an overview of how EPC is used to group RESQML data objects, see 3.2.6 EPC File for Grouping Data Files .
• For more information on how EPC works, see the Energistics Packaging Conventions Specification.