Where did XETO begin?
During the FY22-FY25 period, Project Haystack, an open-source building and HVAC system metadata schema, received a grant of $2.5 million from the FY21 BENEFIT FOA from Department of Energy. The project is recognized for facilitating the installation, programming, and maintenance of energy management and information systems (EMIS) due to the inclusion of Haystack metadata. However, its current design lacks certain functionalities found in modern semantic modeling, such as standard schema conformance and comprehensive programmatic querying abilities.
To address these shortcomings, Project Haystack is introducing a new addition called XETO, which combines a type and template system with a query language and API. This innovation aims to enhance model validation and querying capabilities in a way that's compatible with existing installations. Additionally, a public repository for XETO templates is being created to assist vendors in sharing application-specific templates.
The integration of these new features is expected to significantly boost interoperability with other semantic modeling standards, like ASHRAE Standard 223P and Brick Schema, by ensuring model conformance and sufficiency. This will, in turn, enable more robust translation of models between different schemas, streamlining the use of EMIS and related applications.
New to Haystack & XETO...
If you're new to the world of Xeto and Haystack data, you might be wondering what these terms mean and how they can be useful. In this blog post, we'll take a look at Xeto, a command line tool used to work with Haystack data, and explore its basic functionalities for those unfamiliar with this technology.
Introduction to Xeto
Xeto is a command line tool that allows users to work with Haystack data. Haystack is a data modeling standard for building systems that manage smart devices in buildings. Xeto provides a set of command line tools that enable users to interact with Haystack data using a simple and intuitive interface.
Working with Xeto
One of the key features of Xeto is its ability to create and manage libraries and specifications for Haystack data. The tool allows users to list installed libraries, create new libraries, and generate stub files for further customization.
Syntax and Functionality
Xeto includes two main command line tools: Xeto and Axon. Xeto is used for listing installed libraries and managing environments, while Axon is an interactive shell for the Axon functional programming language. These tools provide a seamless way to interact with Haystack data and perform validations.
Validating Haystack Data
Using Xeto, users can validate Haystack data by integrating working specifications of the Haystack data language. This allows for interactive validation of the data, ensuring accuracy and compliance with the Haystack standard.
Traversing Data with Queries
In addition to validation, Xeto enables users to traverse Haystack data using queries. By creating named ways to traverse the Haystack graph, users can efficiently analyze and manipulate the data to extract valuable insights.
Conclusion
In summary, Xeto is a powerful command line tool that simplifies the management and validation of Haystack data. Whether you're new to the world of Haystack or an experienced user looking for efficient tools, Xeto offers a user-friendly interface and robust functionalities for working with Haystack data.