SGF TimeStamps

[RapaNui]

Hello to all,

I would like to request some help, please
I would like to know:

1 - why some sgf files have timestamps and other don't?
2 - and how I can access them? Any way of getting inside the SGF code? how to? and what to use?

Thank you,
good Christmas for all,
Regards

[Kirby]

Just open the file in a text editor, such as notepad. SGF files have a structure to them, and different elements mean different things. Some SGF files have a time and date, because those elements are included. If you remove them, they don't show up. Many SGF editors allow you to edit various properties like game info, without resorting to a text editor, but with a text editor you can see anything.

The basics of the standard (there are different standard versions, actually) can be seen here:
http://www.red-bean.com/sgf/go.html
http://www.red-bean.com/sgf/sgf4.html
http://www.red-bean.com/sgf/properties.html

[RapaNui]

thank you!

[EdLee]

RapaNui, CGoban3 saves the timestamps in the SGF and displays them when you replay the game.

[zorq]

RapaNui, CGoban3 saves the timestamps in the SGF and displays them when you replay the game.

Is there a standard? What format do RapaNui, CGoban3 use? I see DT[..] fields such as

2013-08-13 22:31 - 2013-08-13 22:53,
Fri Oct 11 20:59:58 GMT+08:00 2002
2010071315:25
1995/07/08 23:55:23 UT
20100222 16:05
2011-04-22 17:31
2003年3月26日（水）　1:00P-M-～6:30P-M
20100527 [11:17\]
2007/1/30 下午 10\:08\:47

SGF FF[4] mandates DT[2013-08-13], but seems to have no facilities for timestamps

[jug]

I would like to know:
1 - why some sgf files have timestamps and other don't?
2 - and how I can access them? Any way of getting inside the SGF code? how to? and what to use?

ad 1)
The time-info in game-records is optional, but I think the most likely reason is, that the time-information is poorly designed in the SGF-specs (basic properties: http://www.red-bean.com/sgf/properties.html ):

• the TM-property holds the main time-limit in seconds, e.g. TM[1500]
• the OT-property holds the overtime in free-text, e.g. OT[5x10 byo-yomi] or OT[25 moves / 10 min]
• the BL/WL-property is used for the time left for the Black/White-player after a move has been played in secs (main-time or byo-yomi)
• the OB/OW-property is used for the moves left for the Black/White-player after a move has been played in secs (in byo-yomi)

There are lot of flaws with the time stored in a SGF:

• The format for overtime (OT) is free text, so the SGF-clients have to "guess" what it could mean (or what language it is in)
• The allowed ranges are missing or implementation-hints for client-developers, that also turn-based servers should be supported where time-limits or time-left can span long periods of time like days, weeks or months. A lot of clients may have problems showing larger time-data.

ad 2)
use a text-editor on the SGF and search for the mentioned properties.

Is there a standard? What format do RapaNui, CGoban3 use? I see DT[..] fields such as [...] DT[2013-08-13], but seems to have no facilities for timestamps

The DT-property is used to indicate the dates when the game was played, not when certain moves have been played or which time-system has been used. So a game on a turn-based server can last from 2013-08-01 till 2013-12-20 for example. Time-properties are specified with the properties mentioned above.

Sources:
- SGF-specs version 4: http://www.red-bean.com/sgf/

[RapaNui]

Thank you for your answers.
I really appreciate all your trouble in answering me!
I have no more doubts now...
merry christmas