dim

Project Overview: dim

dim (Data Installation Manager) is an innovative tool designed to manage open data within projects effortlessly, similar to how a package manager operates for software. Its primary focus is to simplify the handling of data by offering tools to record, manage, and process data seamlessly.

Key Features of dim

• Data Source Recording: dim allows users to record the source URL and any post-processing steps associated with downloaded data. This creates a transparent history of data acquisition and modifications.

• Simplified Data Preparation: With a single command, users can prepare all necessary open data for their project, leveraging the pre-recorded instructions in a dim.json file created by others.

• Automatic Post-Processing: dim supports common data post-processing tasks such as unzipping and re-encoding immediately from installation, eliminating the need for manual handling.

• Open Data Search: Utilize dim to search for open data on platforms like CKAN, a popular data management system.

• Code Generation with GPT-3: dim can generate code required to process data using OpenAI's GPT-3, automating complex data tasks such as conversion and visualization.

Getting Started with dim

Installation

dim can be installed and run in different environments:

• Binary Files: Download and install dim from precompiled binaries suited for various operating systems (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux).
• Using Deno: For those using the Deno runtime, dim can be run directly by cloning the project repository and executing dim commands via Deno.

Quick Start Guide

1. Initialize a New Project:

   • Use the dim init command to create essential files (dim.json, dim-lock.json, and data_files/) needed for project setup.

2. Installing Data:

   • Use dim install <URL> -n "data_name" to download and prepare data from the specified URL, storing the details in dim.json.
   • Data is saved in the data_files directory for easy access.

3. Manage Existing Data:

   • Easily install all data listed in a shared dim.json file by running dim install, beneficial for collaborative environments.

Advanced Commands and Usage

dim is equipped with a variety of commands to manage data projects:

• Search: Locate data from various sources through interactive commands and CKAN API.

• List and Verify: List installations and verify data consistency with dim list and dim verify.

• Update and Clean: Refresh data files or clean projects using dim update and dim clean.

• Generate Code: Automatically generate necessary scripts for data processing using GPT-3 with the dim generate command.

Community and Contribution

dim encourages community involvement. Contributors can join via platforms like Slack and contribute to the open-source project, helping improve and expand its capabilities. The project, available under the MIT License, welcomes enhancements from developers globally.

dim stands as a modern solution for data management in projects, transforming how open data is collected, processed, and utilized through an intuitive interface and advanced automation features.