voruby 1.1.1 → 2.0.0

data/lib/voruby/votable/1.1/votable.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,2100 @@
+require 'voruby/votable/votable'
+
+module VORuby
+  module VOTable
+    
+    # Classes that represent the domain objects in the VOTable 1.1 specification
+    # (http://www.ivoa.net/Documents/latest/VOT.html).
+    module V1_1
+      
+      # The root element of the votable.
+      class VOTable < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'VOTABLE'
+        
+        def self.serialization_order
+          [
+            :description, :definitions, :coordinate_systems, :params, :infos, :resources,
+            :version, :id
+          ]
+        end
+        
+        # Create a votable.
+        # To parse an existing votable one would normally do this:
+        #   votable = VOTable.from_file('my_file.xml')
+        # but any of the other methods described in VOTable::Base#new are also acceptable:
+        #  votable = VOTable.new(
+        #    :version => '1.1',
+        #    :id => 'votable1',
+        #    :description => Description.new(:text => 'A test votable'),
+        #    :resources => [Resource.new(...)]
+        #  )  # etc.
+        #
+        # or to create a blank VOTable that you'll build up later:
+        #  votable = VOTable.new()
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+          self.version = '1.1' if !self.version
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the version.  By default this is '1.1'.
+        def version
+          self.node['version']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the version. Normally you should leave
+        # this as 1.1.
+        def version=(v)
+          @node['version'] = v.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def id
+          self.node['ID']
+        end
+        
+        def id=(i)
+          @node['ID'] = i.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the description (Description).
+        def description
+          get_element(Description)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the description (Description).
+        #  votable.description = Description.new(:text => 'A fascinating votable')
+        def description=(d)
+          set_element(Description, d)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the definitions (Definitions).
+        # _Deprecated_.
+        def definitions
+          get_element(Definitions)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the definitions (Definitions).
+        # _Deprecated_.
+        def definitions=(d)
+          set_element(Definitions, d)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the coordinate systems (Coosys).
+        def coordinate_systems
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Coosys), Coosys)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the coordinate systems.
+        # Takes an array of Coosys objects.
+        #   votable.coordinate_systems = [Coosys.new(), ...]
+        def coordinate_systems=(systems)
+          self.coordinate_systems.replace(systems)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the parameters (Param).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def params
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Param), Param)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the parameters.
+        # Takes an array of Param objects.
+        #  votable.params = [Param.new(), ...]
+        def params=(parameters)
+          self.params.replace(parameters)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the information list (Info).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def infos
+           HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Info), Info)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the information list.
+        # Takes an array of Info objects.
+        #  votable.infos = [Info.new(), ...]
+        def infos=(is)
+          self.infos.replace(is)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the resources (Resource).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def resources
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Resource), Resource)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the resources.
+        # Takes an array of Resource objects.
+        #  votable.resources = [Resource.new(), ...]
+        def resources=(res)
+          self.resources.replace(res)
+        end
+        
+        # Convert a VOTable to HTML.
+        # Not all attributes are converted.
+        # See test/voruby/votable/1.1/votable.html for an example of the output.
+        def to_html
+          builder = Builder::XmlMarkup.new(:indent => 2)
+          
+          votable_opts = {:class => 'votable'}
+          votable_opts[:id] = self.id if self.id
+          
+          builder.div(votable_opts){ |votable|
+            votable.div(self.description.text, :class => 'description') if self.description
+            
+            self.resources.each do |res|
+              votable << res.to_html
+            end
+          }
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [
+            :version, :id, :description,
+            :definitions, :coordinate_systems, :params, :infos, :resources
+          ]
+        end
+      end
+    
+      # A simple description of something.
+      class Description < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'DESCRIPTION'
+        
+        # Create a description.
+        #  descr = Description.new(:text => 'Hello, world!')
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the actual text of the description.
+        def text
+          self.node.content
+        end
+        
+        # Set the text of the description.
+        #  descr.text = 'Hello, world!'
+        def text=(text)
+          @node.content = text
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality; [:text] end
+      end
+      
+      # Definitions of various values appropriate to the votable.
+      # *DEPRECATED*.
+      class Definitions < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'DEFINITIONS'
+        
+        # Create a set of definitions.
+        #  definitions = Definitions.new(
+        #    :coordinate_systems => [Coosys.new]
+        #    :params => [Param.new]
+        #  )
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the coordinate systems (Coosys).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def coordinate_systems
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Coosys), Coosys)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the coordinate systems.
+        # Takes an array of Coosys objects.
+        #  definitions.coordinate_systems = [Coosys.new(), ...]
+        def coordinate_systems=(systems)
+          self.coordinate_systems.replace(systems)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the parameters (Param).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def params
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Param), Param)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the parameter list.
+        # Takes an array of Param objects.
+        #   definitions.params = [Param.new(), ...]
+        def params=(parameters)
+          self.params.replace(parameters)
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [:coordinate_systems, :params]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # A celestial coordinate system, to which the components of a position on the celestial sphere refer.
+      class Coosys < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'COOSYS'
+        
+        # Create a new coordinate system.
+        #  coosys = Coosys.new(
+        #    :id => 'J2000',
+        #    :equinox => 'J2000.',
+        #    :epoch => 'J2000.',
+        #    :system => 'eq_FK5'
+        #  )
+        # The default system is eq_FK5.
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+          self.system = 'eq_FK5' if !self.system
+        end
+        
+        def id
+          self.node['ID']
+        end
+        
+        def id=(i)
+          @node['ID'] = i.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def equinox
+          self.node['equinox']
+        end
+        
+        def equinox=(e)
+          @node['equinox'] = e.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def epoch
+          self.node['epoch']
+        end
+        
+        def epoch=(e)
+          @node['epoch'] = e.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def system
+          self.node['system']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the system.
+        # May be one of: eq_FK4, eq_FK5, ICRS,
+        # ecl_FK4, ecl_FK5, galactic, supergalactic, xy,
+        # barycentric or geo_app.
+        def system=(s)
+          @node['system'] = s.to_s
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [:id, :equinox, :epoch, :system]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # A global value associated with (usually) a table.
+      class Param < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        include Castable
+        
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'PARAM'
+        
+        def self.serialization_order
+          [
+            :description, :values, :links,
+            :id, :unit, :datatype, :arraysize, :precision, :width, :ref, :name,
+            :ucd, :utype, :value
+          ]
+        end
+        
+        # Create a new parameter.
+        #  param = Param.new(
+        #    :name => 'Telescope',
+        #    :datatype => 'float',
+        #    :ucd => 'phys.size;instr.tel',
+        #    :unit => 'm',
+        #    :value => '3.6'
+        #  )
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        def id
+          self.node['ID']
+        end
+        
+        def id=(i)
+          @node['ID'] = i.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def unit
+          self.node['unit']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the unit.
+        # Units should be of the form outlined by Vizier[http://vizier.u-strasbg.fr/doc/catstd-3.2.htx].
+        def unit=(u)
+          @node['unit'] = u.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def datatype
+          self.node['datatype']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the datatype.
+        # Should be one of: boolean, bit, unsignedByte, short, int, long,
+        # char, unicodeChar, float, double, floatComplex, doubleComplex.
+        def datatype=(d)
+          @node['datatype'] = d.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def precision
+          self.node['precision']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the precision of the value.
+        # Should match [EF]?[1-9][0-9]*
+        #  param.precision = '1'
+        def precision=(p)
+          @node['precision'] = p.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def width
+          self.node['width'].to_i
+        end
+        
+        # Set the width.
+        # Should be an integer.
+        #   param.width = 2
+        def width=(w)
+          @node['width'] = w.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def ref
+          self.node['ref']
+        end
+        
+        def ref=(r)
+          @node['ref'] = r.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def name
+          self.node['name']
+        end
+        
+        def name=(n)
+          @node['name'] = n.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def ucd
+          self.node['ucd']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the unified content descriptor or UCD[http://vizier.u-strasbg.fr/doc/UCD.htx].
+        def ucd=(u)
+          @node['ucd'] = u.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def utype
+          self.node['utype']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the utype (i.e. the role of the column in the context of an external data model).
+        def utype=(u)
+          @node['utype'] = u.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def arraysize
+          self.node['arraysize']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the arraysize (if applicable).
+        # i.e. *, 8x2
+        def arraysize=(a)
+          @node['arraysize'] = a.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the value of the parameter.
+        # If _cast_ is false (default), the value is returned as a simple string.
+        # However, if _cast_ is true, the datatype and arraysize are used to
+        # determine a suitable object (or list of objects) to return.
+        # See Castable#as_obj for more details.
+        def value(cast=false)
+          cast ? as_obj(self.value, self.datatype, self.arraysize) : self.node['value']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the value of the parameter.
+        # An attempt is made to convert native ruby types using the datatype and
+        # arraysize parameters.
+        #  param.value = Complex.new(1.1, 2.2)  # etc.
+        def value=(v)
+          @node['value'] = v.is_a?(String) ? v : as_string(v, self.datatype, self.arraysize)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the description (Description).
+        def description
+          get_element(Description)
+        end
+
+        # Set the description (Description).
+        def description=(d)
+          set_element(Description, d)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the values (Values).
+        def values
+          get_element(Values)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the values (Values).
+        def values=(v)
+          set_element(Values, v)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the links.
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList object.
+        def links
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Link), Link)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the links.
+        # Takes an array of Link objects.
+        def links=(lnks)
+          self.links.replace(lnks)
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [
+            :id, :unit, :datatype, :precision, :width, :ref, :name, :ucd, :utype,
+            :value, :arraysize,
+            :description, :values, :links
+          ]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # A name-value pair.
+      class Info < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'INFO'
+        
+        # Create a new name-value pair.
+        #  info = Info.new(:name => 'history', :value => 'my first observation')
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        def id
+          self.node['ID']
+        end
+        
+        def id=(i)
+          @node['ID'] = i.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def name
+          self.node['name']
+        end
+        
+        def name=(n)
+          @node['name'] = n.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def value
+          self.node['value']
+        end
+        
+        def value=(v)
+          @node['value'] = v.to_s
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [:id, :name, :value]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # A description and the data values of some logically independent data structure
+      # within the VOTable.
+      class Resource < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'RESOURCE'
+        
+        def self.serialization_order
+          [
+            :description, :infos, :coordinate_systems, :params, :links, :tables, :resources,
+            :id, :name, :type, :utype
+          ]
+        end
+        
+        # Create a new resource.
+        #  res = Resource.new(
+        #    :name => 'myFavouriteGalaxies',
+        #    :type => 'meta',
+        #    :params => [Param.new()],
+        #    :links => [Link.new()],
+        #    :tables => [Table.new()]
+        #  )
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        def name
+          self.node['name']
+        end
+        
+        def name=(n)
+          @node['name'] = n.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def id
+          self.node['ID']
+        end
+        
+        def id=(i)
+          @node['ID'] = i.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the utype.
+        def utype
+          self.node['utype']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the utype (i.e. the role of the column in the context of an external data model).
+        def utype=(u)
+          @node['utype'] = u.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the type.
+        # A type of 'meta' means that the resource is descriptive only
+        # (does not contain any actual data in any of its sub-elements).
+        def type
+          self.node['type']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the type.
+        def type=(t)
+          @node['type'] = t.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the description (Description).
+        def description
+          get_element(Description)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the description (Description).
+        #  res.description = Description.new(:text => 'A fascinating resource')
+        def description=(d)
+          set_element(Description, d)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the name-value pairs (Info).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def infos
+           HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Info), Info)
+        end
+        
+        # Set any name-value pairs.
+        #   res.infos = [Info.new(), ...]
+        def infos=(is)
+          self.infos.replace(is)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the coordinate systems (Coosys).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def coordinate_systems
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Coosys), Coosys)
+        end
+
+        # Set the coordinate systems (Coosys).
+        #   res.coordinate_systems = [Coosys.new(), ...]
+        def coordinate_systems=(systems)
+          self.coordinate_systems.replace(systems)
+        end
+
+        # Retrieve the parameters (Param).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def params
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Param), Param)
+        end
+
+        # Set the parameters (Param).
+        #  res.params = [Param.new(), ...]
+        def params=(parameters)
+          self.params.clear
+          parameters.each do |p|
+            self.params << p
+          end
+        end
+         
+        # Retrieve the links (Link).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def links
+           HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Link), Link)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the links (Link).
+        #  res.links = [Link.new(), ...]
+        def links=(lnks)
+          self.links.replace(lnks)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the tables (Table).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def tables
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Table), Table)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the tables (Table).
+        #  res.tables = [Table.new(), ....]
+        def tables=(tbls)
+          self.tables.replace(tbls)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve sub-resources (Resource).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def resources
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Resource), Resource)
+        end
+        
+        # Set sub-resources.
+        #  res.resources = [Resource.new(), ...]
+        def resources=(res)
+          self.resources.replace(res)
+        end
+        
+        # Convert a resource to HTML.
+        def to_html
+          builder = Builder::XmlMarkup.new(:indent => 2, :margin => 1)
+          
+          resource_opts = {:class => 'resource'}
+          resource_opts[:id] = self.id if self.id
+          
+          builder.div(resource_opts){ |resource|
+            resource.h3(self.name) if self.name
+            resource.div(self.description.text, :class => 'description') if self.description
+          
+            self.tables.each do |tbl|
+              resource << tbl.to_html
+            end
+            
+            self.resources.each do |res|
+              resource << res.to_html
+            end
+          }
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [
+            :name, :id, :utype, :type,
+            :description, :infos, :coordinate_systems, :params,
+            :links, :tables, :resources
+          ]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # A link or pointer to other documents or data servers on the Internet through a URI.
+      class Link < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'LINK'
+        
+        # Create a new link.
+        #  link = Link.new(
+        #    :href => 'http://fits.gsfc.nasa.gov/nrao_data/samples/image/swp05569slg.fits',
+        #    :content_type => 'image/fits'
+        #  )
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        def id
+          self.node['ID']
+        end
+        
+        def id=(i)
+          @node['ID'] = i.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def content_role
+          self.node['content-role']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the content role.
+        # May be one of: query, hints, doc or location.
+        def content_role=(c)
+          @node['content-role'] = c.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def content_type
+          self.node['content-type']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the content type (i.e. mimetype).
+        def content_type=(c)
+          @node['content-type'] = c.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def title
+          self.node['title']
+        end
+        
+        def title=(t)
+          @node['title'] = t.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def value
+          self.node['value']
+        end
+        
+        def value=(v)
+          @node['value'] = v.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the URL.
+        # Returns a URI object.
+        def href
+          self.node['href'] ? URI.parse(self.node['href']) : nil
+        end
+        
+        # Set the URL.
+        #  link.href = 'http://www.noao.edu/' # or...
+        #  link.href = URI.parse('http://www.noao.edu/')
+        def href=(h)
+          @node['href'] = h.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # *DEPRECATED*.
+        def gref
+          self.node['gref']
+        end
+        
+        # *DEPRECATED*.
+        def gref=(g)
+          @node['gref'] = g.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the action.
+        # Returns a URI object.
+        def action
+          self.node['action'] ? URI.parse(self.node['action']) : nil
+        end
+        
+        # Set the action.
+        #   link.action = 'http://www.retrieve-me.com/' # or...
+        #   link.action = URI.parse('http://www.retrieve-me.com/')
+        def action=(a)
+          @node['action'] = a.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the link.
+        # Understands any URL groked by open-uri (including file://).
+        # Returns a File object.
+        def retrieve
+          shref = self.href
+
+          if shref
+            shref.scheme == 'file' ? File.open(shref.path) : open(shref.to_s)
+          else
+            nil
+          end
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [
+            :id, :content_role, :content_type, :title, :value,
+            :href, :gref, :action
+          ]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # The basic structure of a votable.  Essentially, tablular data +
+      # a description of the columns of that data.
+      class Table < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME= 'TABLE'
+
+        def self.serialization_order
+          [
+            :description, :params, :fields, :groups, :links, :data,
+            :id, :name, :ucd, :utype, :ref, :nrows
+          ]
+        end
+        
+        # Create a new table.
+        #   table = Table.new(
+        #     :name => 'results',
+        #     :fields => [Field.new()],
+        #     :data => Data.new(:format => TableData.new())
+        #   )
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        def id
+          self.node['ID']
+        end
+        
+        def id=(i)
+          @node['ID'] = i.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def name
+          self.node['name']
+        end
+        
+        def name=(n)
+          @node['name'] = n.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def ref
+          self.node['ref']
+        end
+        
+        def ref=(r)
+          @node['ref'] = r.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def ucd
+          self.node['ucd']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the unified content descriptor or UCD[http://vizier.u-strasbg.fr/doc/UCD.htx].
+        def ucd=(u)
+          @node['ucd'] = u.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def utype
+          self.node['utype']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the utype (i.e. the role of the column in the context of an external data model).
+        def utype=(u)
+          @node['utype'] = u.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the number of rows in the table.
+        def nrows
+          self.node['nrows'] ? self.node['nrows'].to_i : nil
+        end
+        
+        # Set the number of rows in the table.
+        # _n_ should be an integer.
+        def nrows=(n)
+          @node['nrows'] = n.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the description (Description).
+        def description
+          get_element(Description)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the description (Description).
+        def description=(d)
+          set_element(Description, d)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the data (Data).
+        def data
+          get_element(Data)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the data (Data).
+        def data=(d)
+          set_element(Data, d)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the fields (Field), a.k.a. column descriptions.
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def fields
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Field), Field)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the fields.
+        #  table.fields = [Field.new(), ...]
+        def fields=(flds)
+          self.fields.replace(flds)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the parameters (Param).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def params
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Param), Param)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the parameters list (Param).
+        #  table.params = [Param.new(), ...]
+        def params=(parameters)
+          self.params.replace(parameters)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the groups (Group).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def groups
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Group), Group)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the groups (Group).
+        #   table.groups = [Group.new(), ...]
+        def groups=(grps)
+          self.groups.replace(grps)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the links (Link).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def links
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Link), Link)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the links (Link).
+        #   table.links = [Link.new(), ...]
+        def links=(lnks)
+          self.links.replace(lnks)
+        end
+      
+        # Convert the table into HTML.
+        # Not all aspects of the votable are translated.
+        #  table = Table.new(
+        #    :id => 'table1',
+        #    :description => Description.new(:text => 'A test table'),
+        #    :fields => [
+        #      Field.new(:name => 'RA', :id => 'col1', :ucd => 'pos.eq.ra;meta.main',
+        #                :ref => 'J2000', :datatype => 'float', :width => 6, :precision => '2', :unit => 'deg'),
+        #      Field.new(:name => 'Dec', :id => 'col2', :ucd => 'pos.eq.dec;meta.main',
+        #                :ref => 'J2000', :datatype => 'float', :width => 6, :precision => '2', :unit => 'deg'),
+        #      Field.new(:name => 'Name', :id => 'col3', :ucd => 'meta.id;meta.main',
+        #                :datatype => 'char', :arraysize => '8*')
+        #      ],
+        #      :data => Data.new(
+        #        :format => TableData.new(
+        #          :trs => [
+        #            Tr.new(:tds => [Td.new(:text => '123'), Td.new(:text => '456'), Td.new(:text => 'my_obj1')]),
+        #            Tr.new(:tds => [Td.new(:text => '789'), Td.new(:text => '112'), Td.new(:text => 'my_obj2')]),
+        #            Tr.new(:tds => [Td.new(:text => '145'), Td.new(:text => '178'), Td.new(:text => 'my_obj3')])
+        #          ]
+        #        )
+        #      )
+        #  )
+        #
+        #  puts table.to_html # => 
+        #    <table id="table1">
+        #      <caption>A test table</caption>
+        #      <thead>
+        #        <tr>
+        #          <th>
+        #            <div class="field" id="col1">
+        #              <div class="name">RA</div>
+        #              <div class="ucd">pos.eq.ra;meta.main</div>
+        #              <div class="unit">deg</div>
+        #              <span class="datatype">float</span>
+        #            </div>
+        #          </th>
+        #          <th>
+        #            <div class="field" id="col2">
+        #              <div class="name">Dec</div>
+        #              <div class="ucd">pos.eq.dec;meta.main</div>
+        #              <div class="unit">deg</div>
+        #              <span class="datatype">float</span>
+        #            </div>
+        #          </th>
+        #          <th>
+        #            <div class="field" id="col3">
+        #              <div class="name">Name</div>
+        #              <div class="ucd">meta.id;meta.main</div>
+        #              <span class="datatype">char</span>
+        #              <span class="arraysize">8*</span>
+        #            </div>
+        #          </th>
+        #        </tr>
+        #      </thead>
+        #      <tbody>
+        #        <tr>
+        #          <td>123</td>
+        #          <td>456</td>
+        #          <td>my_obj1</td>
+        #        </tr>
+        #        <tr>
+        #          <td>789</td>
+        #          <td>112</td>
+        #          <td>my_obj2</td>
+        #        </tr>
+        #        <tr>
+        #          <td>145</td>
+        #          <td>178</td>
+        #          <td>my_obj3</td>
+        #        </tr>
+        #     </tbody>
+        #    </table
+        def to_html
+          builder = Builder::XmlMarkup.new(:indent => 2, :margin => 2)
+          
+          tbl_options = {}
+          tbl_options[:id] = self.id if self.id
+          
+          builder.table(tbl_options) { |table|
+            table.caption(self.description.text) if self.description
+            
+            table.thead { |thead|
+              if self.fields.size > 0
+                thead.tr { |tr|
+                  self.fields.each do |field|
+                    tr.th { |th|
+                      th << field.to_html
+                    }
+                  end
+                }
+              end
+            }
+            
+            if self.data and self.data.format
+              table.tbody { |tbody|
+                self.data.format.trs.each do |tr|
+                  tbody << tr.to_html
+                end
+              }
+            end
+          }
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [
+            :id, :name, :ref, :ucd, :utype, :nrows,
+            :description, :data, :fields, :params, :groups,
+            :links
+          ]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # The description of an actual table column.
+      class Field < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'FIELD'
+        
+        def self.serialization_order
+          [
+            :description, :values, :links,
+            :id, :unit, :datatype, :precision, :width, :ref,
+            :name, :ucd, :utype, :arraysize, :type
+          ]
+        end
+        
+        # Create a new table column description.
+        #   field = Field.new(
+        #     :name => 'RA',
+        #     :id => 'col1',
+        #     :ucd => 'pos.eq.ra;meta.main',
+        #     :ref => 'J2000',
+        #     :datatype => 'float',
+        #     :width => 6,
+        #     :precision => '2',
+        #     :unit => 'deg'
+        #   )
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        def id
+          self.node['ID']
+        end
+        
+        def id=(i)
+          @node['ID'] = i.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def unit
+          self.node['unit']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the unit.
+        # Units should be of the form outlined by Vizier[http://vizier.u-strasbg.fr/doc/catstd-3.2.htx].
+        def unit=(u)
+          @node['unit'] = u.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def datatype
+          self.node['datatype']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the datatype.
+        # Should be one of: boolean, bit, unsignedByte, short, int, long,
+        # char, unicodeChar, float, double, floatComplex, doubleComplex.
+        def datatype=(d)
+          @node['datatype'] = d.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def precision
+          self.node['precision']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the precision of the value.
+        # Should match [EF]?[1-9][0-9]*
+        #  param.precision = '1'
+        def precision=(p)
+          @node['precision'] = p.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def width
+          self.node['width'] ? self.node['width'].to_i : nil
+        end
+        
+        # Set the width.
+        # Should be an integer.
+        #   param.width = 2
+        def width=(w)
+          @node['width'] = w.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def ref
+          self.node['ref']
+        end
+        
+        def ref=(r)
+          @node['ref'] = r.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def name
+          self.node['name']
+        end
+        
+        def name=(n)
+          @node['name'] = n.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def ucd
+          self.node['ucd']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the unified content descriptor or UCD[http://vizier.u-strasbg.fr/doc/UCD.htx].
+        def ucd=(u)
+          @node['ucd'] = u.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def utype
+          self.node['utype']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the utype (i.e. the role of the column in the context of an external data model).
+        def utype=(u)
+          @node['utype'] = u.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def arraysize
+          self.node['arraysize']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the arraysize (if applicable).
+        # i.e. *, 8x2
+        def arraysize=(a)
+          @node['arraysize'] = a.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # *DEPRECATED*
+        def type
+          self.node['type']
+        end
+        
+        # May be on of: hidden, no_query, trigger or location.
+        # *DEPRECATED*
+        def type=(t)
+          @node['type'] = t.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the description (Description).
+        def description
+          get_element(Description)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the description (Description).
+        def description=(d)
+          set_element(Description, d)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the values (Values).
+        def values
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Values), Values)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the values (Values).
+        def values=(vals)
+          self.values.replace(vals)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the links.
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList object.
+        def links
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Link), Link)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the links.
+        # Takes an array of Link objects.
+        def links=(lnks)
+          self.links.replace(lnks)
+        end
+        
+        # Convert a field to HTML.
+        def to_html
+          builder = Builder::XmlMarkup.new(:indent => 2, :margin => 6)
+          
+          field_opts = {:class => 'field'}
+          field_opts[:id] = self.id if self.id
+          
+          builder.div(field_opts) { |field|
+            field.div(self.name, :class => 'name')
+            field.div(self.ucd, :class => 'ucd') if self.ucd
+            field.div(self.utype, :class => 'utype') if self.utype
+            field.div(self.unit, :class => 'unit') if self.unit
+            field.span(self.datatype, :class => 'datatype') if self.datatype
+            field.span(self.arraysize, :class => 'arraysize') if self.arraysize
+          }
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [
+            :id, :unit, :datatype, :precision, :width, :ref,
+            :name, :ucd, :utype, :arraysize, :type,
+            :description, :values, :links
+          ]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # Holds subsidiary information about the domain of the data.
+      class Values < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'VALUES'
+        
+        def self.serialization_order
+          [
+            :min, :max, :options,
+            :id, :type, :null, :ref
+          ]
+        end
+        
+        # Create some new subsidiary information about the domain.
+        #   values = Values.new(
+        #     :id => 'RAdomain',
+        #     :min => Min.new(:value => '0'),
+        #     :max => Max.new(:value => '360', :inclusive => false)
+        #   )
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+          self.type = 'legal' if !self.type
+        end
+        
+        def id
+          self.node['ID']
+        end
+        
+        def id=(i)
+          @node['ID'] = i.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def type
+          self.node['type']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the scope of values present.
+        # Possible values are: legal, actual.
+        # Defaults to legal.
+        def type=(t)
+          @node['type'] = t.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def null
+          self.node['null']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the value that is used to specify
+        # non-existent data.
+        def null=(n)
+          @node['null'] = n.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def ref
+          self.node['ref']
+        end
+        
+        def ref=(r)
+          @node['ref'] = r.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the maximum of the value (Max).
+        def max
+          get_element(Max)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the maximum of the value (Max).
+        def max=(m)
+          set_element(Max, m)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the minimum of the value (Min).
+        def min
+          get_element(Min)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the minimum of the value (Min).
+        def min=(m)
+          set_element(Min, m)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the possible values (Option) the column can take on.
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList object.
+        def options
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Option), Option)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the possible values the column can take on.
+        #   values.options = [Option.new(), ...]
+        def options=(opts)
+          self.options.replace(opts)
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [
+            :id, :type, :null, :ref,
+            :max, :min, :options
+          ]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # A minimum value a column can take on.
+      class Min < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'MIN'
+        
+        # Create a new minimum value for a column.
+        #  min = Min.new(:value => '0')
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+          self.inclusive = true if !self.inclusive
+        end
+        
+        def value
+          self.node['value']
+        end
+        
+        def value=(v)
+          @node['value'] = v.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def inclusive
+          self.node['inclusive']
+        end
+        
+        # Check whether the minimum value is inclusive or not.
+        # By default, the minimum is inclusive.
+        def inclusive?
+          self.node['inclusive'] == 'yes'
+        end
+        
+        # Set whether the minimum value is inclusive or not.
+        # Takes a boolean value or a yes/no string.
+        #   min.inclusive = false # or...
+        #   min.inclusive = 'no'
+        def inclusive=(i)
+          if i.is_a?(TrueClass)
+            @node['inclusive'] = 'yes'
+          elsif i.is_a?(FalseClass)
+            @node['inclusive'] = 'no'
+          else
+            @node['inclusive'] = i.to_s
+          end
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [:value, :inclusive]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # The maximum value a column may take on.
+      class Max < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'MAX'
+      
+        # Create a new maximum value for a column.
+        #  max = Max.new(:value => '360', :inclusive => false)
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+          self.inclusive = true if !self.inclusive
+        end
+
+        def value
+          self.node['value']
+        end
+
+        def value=(v)
+          @node['value'] = v.to_s
+        end
+
+        def inclusive
+          self.node['inclusive']
+        end
+
+        # Check whether the maximum value is inclusive or not.
+        # By default, the maximum is inclusive.
+        def inclusive?
+          self.node['inclusive'] == 'yes'
+        end
+
+        # Set whether the maximum value is inclusive or not.
+        # Takes a boolean value or a yes/no string.
+        #   max.inclusive = false # or...
+        #   max.inclusive = 'no'
+        def inclusive=(i)
+          if i.is_a?(TrueClass)
+            @node['inclusive'] = 'yes'
+          elsif i.is_a?(FalseClass)
+            @node['inclusive'] = 'no'
+          else
+            @node['inclusive'] = i.to_s
+          end
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [:value, :inclusive]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # An enumeration of possible values.
+      # Essentially a hierarchy of key-value pairs.
+      class Option < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'OPTION'
+        
+        # Create a new enumeration.
+        #  option = Option.new(
+        #    :name => 'authors',
+        #    :options => [
+        #      Option.new(:name =>  'last_name', :value => 'Gasson'),
+        #      Option.new(:name => 'last_name', :value => 'Miller')
+        #     ]
+        #  )
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        def name
+          self.node['name']
+        end
+        
+        def name=(n)
+          @node['name'] = n.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def value
+          self.node['value']
+        end
+        
+        def value=(v)
+          @node['value'] = v.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve any sub-options (Option).
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def options
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Option), Option)
+        end
+        
+        # Set any sub-options.
+        # option.options = [Option.new(), ...]
+        def options=(opts)
+          self.options.replace(opts)
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [:name, :value, :options]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # A way of grouping fields which are logically connected, like
+      # a value and its error.
+      class Group < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'GROUP'
+        
+        def self.serialization_order
+          [
+            :description, :field_refs, :params, :param_refs, :groups,
+            :id, :name, :ref, :ucd, :utype
+          ]
+        end
+        
+        # Create a new group.
+        #   group = Group.new(
+        #     :name => 'Velocity',
+        #     :description => Description.new(:text => 'Velocity and its error')
+        #     :field_refs => [FieldRef.new(:ref => 'col4'), FieldRef.new(:ref => 'col5')]
+        #  )
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        def id
+          self.node['ID']
+        end
+        
+        def id=(i)
+          @node['ID'] = i.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def name
+          self.node['name']
+        end
+        
+        def name=(n)
+          @node['name'] = n.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def ref
+          self.node['ref']
+        end
+        
+        def ref=(r)
+          @node['ref'] = r.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def ucd
+          self.node['ucd']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the unified content descriptor or UCD[http://vizier.u-strasbg.fr/doc/UCD.htx].
+        def ucd=(u)
+          @node['ucd'] = u.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def utype
+          self.node['utype']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the utype (i.e. the role of the column in the context of an external data model).
+        def utype=(u)
+          @node['utype'] = u.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the description (Description).
+        def description
+          get_element(Description)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the description (Description).
+        def description=(d)
+          set_element(Description, d)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the references to fields.
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def field_refs
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(FieldRef), FieldRef)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the references to fields.
+        # group.field_refs = [FieldRef.new(), ...]
+        def field_refs=(refs)
+          self.field_refs.replace(refs)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the references to parameters.
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def param_refs
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(ParamRef), ParamRef)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the the references to parameters.
+        #   group.param_refs = [ParamRef.new(), ...]
+        def param_refs=(refs)
+          self.param_refs.replace(refs)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the list of parameters.
+        # Normally one would use #param_refs instead.
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def params
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Param), Param)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the list parameters.
+        # Normally one would use #param_refs= instead.
+        #   group.params = [Param.new(), ...]
+        def params=(parameters)
+          self.params.replace(parameters)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve any sub-groups.
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def groups
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Group), Group)
+        end
+        
+        # Set any sub-groups.
+        #  group.groups = [Group.new(), ...]
+        def groups=(grps)
+          self.groups.replace(grps)
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [
+            :id, :name, :ref, :ucd, :utype,
+            :description, :field_refs, :param_refs,
+            :params, :groups
+          ]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # A reference to an existing Field.
+      class FieldRef < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'FIELDref'
+        
+        # Create a new field reference.
+        #  fref = FieldRef.new(:ref => 'col3')
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        def ref
+          self.node['ref']
+        end
+        
+        def ref=(r)
+          @node['ref'] = r.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the field (Field) associated with this reference.
+        def field
+          field_node = self.node.find_first("ancestor::*/FIELD[@ID='#{self.ref}']")
+          field_node ? Field.new(field_node) : nil
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality; [:ref] end
+      end
+      
+      # A reference to an existing Param.
+      class ParamRef < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'PARAMref'
+        
+        # Create an new parameter reference.
+        #  pref = ParamRef.new(:ref => 'param1')
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        def ref
+          self.node['ref']
+        end
+        
+        def ref=(r)
+          @node['ref'] = r.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the parameter (Param) associated with the reference.
+        def param
+          param_node = self.node.find_first("ancestor::*/PARAM[@ID='#{self.ref}']")
+          param_node ? Param.new(param_node) : nil  
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality; [:ref] end
+      end
+      
+      # The actual tabular data.
+      class Data < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'DATA'
+        
+        # Create a new body of data.
+        #  data = Data.new(:format => TableData.new())
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the formatted data.  May be TableData, Binary or Fits.
+        def format
+          format_node = self.node.find_first("#{xpath_for(TableData)}|#{xpath_for(Binary)}|#{xpath_for(Fits)}")
+          return nil if !format_node
+          
+          case format_node.name
+            when 'TABLEDATA'    then TableData.new(format_node)
+            when 'BINARY'       then Binary.new(format_node)
+            when 'FITS'         then Fits.new(format_node)
+            else                nil
+          end
+        end
+        
+        # Set the formatted data.  Must be one of the allowed
+        # data formats--TableData, Binary or Fits.
+        def format=(f)
+          raise 'Data format must be one of TableData, Binary or Fits' if ![TableData, Binary, Fits].include?(f.class)
+          
+          self.node.each_child do |c|
+            c.remove!
+          end
+          set_element(f.class, f)
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality; [:format] end
+      end
+
+      # The most typical way of representing tabular data.
+      class TableData < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'TABLEDATA'
+      
+        # Create new table data.
+        #  tabledata = TableData.new(:trs => [Tr.new, Tr.new, Tr.new])
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the rows of data.
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def trs
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Tr), Tr)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the rows of data.
+        #  tabledata.rows = [Tr.new(), ...]
+        def trs=(rows)
+          self.trs.replace(rows)
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality; [:trs] end
+      end
+      
+      # Tabular data represented as a binary format.
+      class Binary < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'BINARY'
+        
+        # Create a new binary table.
+        #   binary = Binary.new(:stream => Stream.new())
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the stream (Stream) representing the data.
+        def stream
+          get_element(Stream)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the stream representing the data.
+        # binary.stream = Stream.new()
+        def stream=(s)
+          set_element(Stream, s)
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality; [:stream] end
+      end
+      
+      # Represents a stream of bytes, either local or remote.
+      class Stream < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'STREAM'
+        
+        # Create a new retrieval stream.
+        #  stream = Stream.new(:href => 'ftp://server.com/mydata.dat')
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+          self.type = 'locator' if !self.type
+          self.actuate = 'onRequest' if !self.actuate
+          self.encoding = 'none' if !self.encoding
+        end
+        
+        def type
+          self.node['type']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the type of stream.  May be one of: locator or other.
+        # Default is locator.
+        def type=(t)
+          @node['type'] = t.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the URL of the stream.
+        # Returns a URI object.
+        def href
+          self.node['href'] ? URI.parse(self.node['href']) : nil
+        end
+        
+        # Set the URL of the stream.
+        #  link.href = 'http://www.noao.edu/my.dat' # or...
+        #  link.href = URI.parse('http://www.noao.edu/my.dat')
+        def href=(h)
+          @node['href'] = h.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def actuate
+          self.node['actuate']
+        end
+        
+        # Set when the stream should be retrieved.
+        # Possible values are: onLoad, onRequest, other or none.
+        # Default is onRequest.  In this implementation the value of this
+        # parameter doesn't effect when the stream is retrieved--
+        # you must always use #retrieve.
+        def actuate=(a)
+          @node['actuate'] = a.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def encoding
+          self.node['encoding']
+        end
+        
+        # Set the encoding of the stream (i.e. base64).
+        # Default is none.
+        def encoding=(e)
+          @node['encoding'] = e.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve when the data in the stream expires.
+        # Returns a DateTime object.
+        def expires
+          self.node['expires'] ? DateTime.parse(self.node['expires']) : nil
+        end
+        
+        # Set when the data in the stream expires.
+        def expires=(e)
+          @node['expires'] = e.to_s
+        end
+        
+        def rights
+          self.node['rights']
+        end
+        
+        # Set any authentication information necessary to access
+        # the remote resource (i.e. a password to an encrypted document).
+        # The current implementation ignores this value when retrieving
+        # the stream.
+        def rights=(r)
+          @node['rights'] = r.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # If the stream is text-based, it can be directly embedded
+        # within the document, and can be retrieved with this method.
+        def text
+          self.node['content']
+        end
+        
+        # If the stream is text-based it can be directly embedded with
+        # this method.
+        #   stream.text = 'AAAAAj/yVZiDGSSUwFZ6ypR4yGkADwAcQV0euAAIAAJBmMzNwZWZmkGle4tBR3jVQT9ocwAA'
+        def text=(txt)
+          @node['content'] = txt.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the document specified by #href.
+        # Returns a File object, of if the document is
+        # directly embedded in the stream a StringIO object.
+        def retrieve
+          shref = self.href
+          
+          if shref
+            shref.scheme == 'file' ? File.open(shref.path) : open(shref.to_s)
+          else
+            StringIO.new(self.text)
+          end
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [:type, :href, :actuate, :encoding, :expires, :rights, :text]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # Tabular data represented as a FITS[http://archive.stsci.edu/fits/fits_standard/] file.
+      class Fits < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'FITS'
+        
+        # Create a new FITS data stream.
+        #  fits = Fits.new(
+        #    :extnum => 2,
+        #    :stream => Stream.new(:href => http://fits.gsfc.nasa.gov/nrao_data/samples/image/swp05569slg.fits')
+        #  )
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the FITS extension number.
+        # Returns an integer.
+        def extnum
+          self.node['extnum'] ? self.node['extnum'].to_i : nil
+        end
+        
+        # Set the FITS extension number.
+        def extnum=(e)
+          @node['extnum'] = e.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the stream (Stream) associated with the FITS file.
+        def stream
+          get_element(Stream)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the stream (Stream) associated with the FITS file.
+        #   fits.stream = Stream.new(:href => 'http://whatever/my_fits.fits')
+        def stream=(s)
+          set_element(Stream, s)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieves the FITS file locally and returns it.
+        # If rfits[http://rubyforge.org/projects/rfits/] is present
+        # a RFits::File object is returned (or a RFits::HDU subclass if #extnum is specified).
+        # If rfits is _not_ present a File object is returned instead.
+        def to_rfits
+          io = self.stream.retrieve
+          
+          io_obj = if io.is_a?(StringIO)
+            tmp = Tempfile.new('fits')
+            tmp.write(io.read)
+            tmp
+          else
+            io
+          end
+          
+          # RFits isn't absolutely required, but it's nice to have.
+          return io_obj if !VORuby.rfits?
+          
+          rfits = RFits::File.new(io_obj.path)
+          self.extnum ? rfits[self.extnum - 1] : rfits
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [:extnum, :stream]
+        end
+      end
+      
+      # A row of data in a TableData.
+      class Tr < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'TR'
+        
+        # Create a new row of data.
+        #  tr = Tr.new(:tds => [Td.new()])
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the table data elements in the row.
+        # Returns a HomogeneousNodeList.
+        def tds
+          HomogeneousNodeList.new(self.node, xpath_for(Td), Td)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the data elements of the row.
+        #   tr.tds = [Td.new(), ...]
+        def tds=(columns)
+          self.tds.replace(columns)
+        end
+        
+        # Convert a table row to HTML.
+        #   tr = Tr.new(:tds => [Td.new(:text => 'hello'), Td.new(:text => 'world')])
+        #   puts tr.to_html # => 
+        #     <tr>
+        #       <td>hello</td>
+        #       <td>world</td>
+        #     </tr>
+        def to_html
+          builder = Builder::XmlMarkup.new(:indent => 2, :margin => 4)
+          
+          builder.tr { |tr|
+            self.tds.each do |column|
+              tr << column.to_html
+            end
+          }
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality; [:tds] end
+      end
+      
+      # A data element in a table row.
+      class Td < VORuby::VOTable::Base
+        include Castable
+        
+        ELEMENT_NAME = 'TD'
+        
+        # Create a new data element.
+        #  td = Td.new(:text => '123.2')
+        def initialize(defn=nil)
+          super(defn)
+        end
+        
+        def encoding
+          self.node['encoding']
+        end
+        
+        def encoding=(e)
+          @node['encoding'] = e.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the value of the data element as text.
+        def text
+          self.node.content
+        end
+        
+        # Set the value of the data element as text.
+        def text=(txt)
+          @node.content = txt.to_s
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the value of the data element as an appropriate
+        # object (or list of objects), according to the datatype and arraysize of the
+        # Field corresponding to this column.  See Castable#as_obj
+        # for more details.
+        def value
+          cfield = self.field
+          as_obj(self.text, cfield.datatype, cfield.arraysize)
+        end
+        
+        # Set the value of the data element.
+        # An attempt is made to convert native ruby types using the datatype and
+        # arraysize parameters of the associated Field.
+        def value=(v)
+          cfield = self.field
+          self.text = as_string(v, cfield.datatype, cfield.arraysize)
+        end
+        
+        # Retrieve the Field associated with this column.
+        def field
+          node_path = self.node.path
+          
+          # use the xpath to determine the position
+          pos = (node_path =~ /TD\[\d+\]$/) ?
+           node_path.split('/').last.match(/TD\[(\d+)\]$/)[1] :
+           '1'
+          
+          field_node = self.node.find_first("../../../../*[local-name()='FIELD'][#{pos}]")
+          field_node ? Field.new(field_node) : raise("Unable to associate a FIELD with this TD")
+        end
+        
+        # Convert a column to HTML.
+        #   td = Td.new(:text => 'hello')
+        #   puts td.to_html # => <td>hello</td>
+        def to_html
+          builder = Builder::XmlMarkup.new(:indent => 2, :margin => 5)
+          
+          builder.td(self.text)
+        end
+        
+        protected
+        
+        def methods_to_test_for_equality
+          [:encoding, :text]
+        end
+      end
+        
+    end
+  end
+end