What are reaction masks?

A reaction mask converts a compound into a number of structured standards. In simple terms: a reaction mask describes how an information object matching the given definition is transformed into a structured representation.

The process of applying a compound and its reaction mask to a specific object is called derivatization or transformation. It runs automatically through the SKYDB API and is independent of manual input. Editors can adjust compounds and reaction masks to reflect their own reading of a definition. A compound must have at least one reaction mask, and may have alternatives.

Each reaction mask is assigned its own 10-digit SDC number.

Example of a reaction mask:

A warehouse building at a given coordinate (represented by the string "highbay warehouse / 49.902214,8.612074") transforms via the compound high-bay warehouse and its associated reaction mask into:

--- reaction mask [start] ---
> @status : existing
> frame material: steel
> structural form: rack-supported building
> primary use: warehouse
> window type: no windows
--- reaction mask [end] ---

It produces a structured object from the initial string:

> status: existing
> frame material: steel
> structural form: rack-supported building
> primary use: warehouse
> window type: no windows
> latitude: 49.902214
> longitude: 8.612074
> city: Weiterstadt
> state: Hesse
> country: Germany

The system learns over time from changes, corrections and the evolution of definitions and reaction masks, which can lead to new reaction masks or new compound codes.