BiSSAP's validation routine makes it almost impossible to generate a sequence listing that is incomplete and therefore incorrect. This is desirable except when someone wants to pass on the data to someone else, so that other person can continue working on the project. In a situation like that, the project data is incomplete and a standard sequence listing cannot be generated.

To get around this problem, BiSSAP supports drafts. A draft is a file in a special BiSSAP format that is designed to allow internal exchange in your company or in similar situation.

Drafts differ from XML standard files in the following:

  • The format looks like XML but is not really XML.
  • The draft files can be incomplete – they are not verified during the export process.
  • They are designed for short-term usage, and that is why a draft file from one version may be incompatible with another version.
  • They contain certain BiSSAP-specific information, like project name, or description strings for sequences, which are not in the standard XML or ST.25 files.
  • The draft files have the extension *.bis.

Exporting drafts

The purpose of exporting drafts is to share work with other BiSSAP installations. Such exported files are incomplete and should not be submitted to a patent office.

To export a project:

  1. Right-click the project in a Project Browser.
  2. Select Export As Draft.
  3. Choose the directory and name (draft files use the extension “.bis”)
    .
  4. Wait for the results.

Importing drafts

The purpose of importing drafts is to share work with other BiSSAP installations. Such imported files are incomplete and should not be submitted to a patent office.

To import a project:

  1. Right-click the project in a Project Browser.
    .
  2. Select Import Draft.
  3. Navigate to the directory containing the file to be imported. Choose the file (all draft files use the extension .bis)
    .
  4. Wait for the results. The project should appear in the Project Browser.

Each project has a unique name. If a draft has the same name as a project already existing in the workspace, a number in brackets is added to that name, starting with “(1)”. If that number is already in use, the program will keep going up a number until it finds a unique name.