SearchAGS Validator
The AGS Validator V2 has been released (01/07/2025).
It can be downloaded from here https://gitlab.com/ags-data-format-wg/ags4-validator-desktop-app/-/releases (select AGS4 Version 2 (Win64) see red box in the image below).
Direct download here
This release was built and tested in Windows 11.
Version 2 of the validator uses V1.1.0 of the AGS Python Library. The changelog for which can be found here: https://gitlab.com/ags-data-format-wg/ags-python-library/-/blob/main/changelog.txt
Updates to the library mainly include small bug fixes and code improvements. The update also includes better reporting.
The Desktop app has been updated to include conversion from .xlsx to .ags, although, this should be treated with caution and is recommended for minor tweaks only, rather than new file creation. Menu items have been added to de-clutter the main page and other small improvements made, such as file verification. You can find the details here: https://gitlab.com/ags-data-format-wg/ags4-validator-desktop-app
The library provides validation against the AGS 4.0.3, 4.0.4, 4.1.0 and 4.1.1 formats and can be used within open-source or commercial software, via the command line. The libraries and Desktop App can be downloaded and used free of charge.
The term “validator” is used rather than “checker”, to clarify that the code only validates against the AGS data format, it does not “check” the accuracy of the data contained in the file.
Changelog V2
– updated AGS Python library to v 1.0.0
– Simplified UI – moved some options to menu items
– Added ability to check hash of files
– Added ability to transform Excel file to AGS
– Added ability to view summary information of AGS file
– Speed improvement of rendered results
– Updated underlying dict files to remove anomalies.
Version 1 can be downloaded from the GitLab repository here
Use the form below to submit questions, bugs, wish list items etc. Please note that we may request a copy of the AGS file that caused a problem, to try to replicate it.
Installation and running
This build of the software has been tested on Windows 10 and 11. It is a desktop-only application.
The zip file should be extracted to a suitable folder on the system and the .exe file double-clicked. Python runtime libraries are included in the installation folder, Python does not need to be installed on the client PC.
Known issues
- A warning may appear when the application is run for the first time. Please check with your IT dept/section before proceeding.
- The validator should not be extracted to a shared drive, e.g. OneDrive.
Contributing to the validator
The AGS validator is an open source project. Developers from 5 countries have contributed their time and knowledge for free to this project and you can join them if you want to geek out with AGS data.
Here are the details you need.
The Library
Repository: https://gitlab.com/ags-data-format-wg/ags-python-library
pip installer: https://pypi.org/project/python-ags4/
Conda Installer: https://anaconda.org/conda-forge/python-ags4
Coders Wiki page: https://gitlab.com/ags-data-format-wg/ags-python-library/-/wikis/home
Desktop Application
Repository: https://gitlab.com/ags-data-format-wg/ags4-validator-desktop-app
Web Applications