Current Page: NeXtMidas Training Common Midas Concepts Blue Files Basics
| Midas Blue Files: The Midas Blue File is the standard binary file format used by modern Midas frameworks. Blue files are so ubiquitous in Midas applications that many people erroneously refer to a Blue file as simply a "Midas File". Blue files are designed to efficiently store one-dimensional or two-dimensional signal data as well as record-based information. History: The Blue file format was preceded by the Gold file format. Gold files have not been used for several years now. These days when people talk about a "gold file" this is in reference to a standard or "gold copy" of a file and not a file in the Gold file format. The design of Blue files grew out of the Midas community over several decades. The definition of the Blue file format was officially codified in 2006. See Midas BLUE File Format / Version 1.2.0 (CCD-2006002-1.2.0). Extensions: Typically Blue Files use either a `.prm` or a `.tmp` extension. The original intent was for `.prm` files to be "permanent" and `.tmp` files to be "temporary," but this is rarely followed. If a file is specified without an extension, most Midas frameworks will automatically add either a `.prm` or a `.tmp` extension on. (This has led to confusion and it is best to avoid this "feature.")