Modernizing the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File

The Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) is the authoritative source for nuclear structure and decay data. As such, it is a critical resource both for basic research and applications. However, at present, ENSDF data is stored in an 80-column text format designed for FORTRAN punch card readers over 70 years ago. As a result, interacting with ENSDF data directly is challenging both for humans and computer systems. In addition, a large amount of data has accumulated in unformatted comments in the database, which is difficult to retrieve in a standardized way. To remedy this situation, ENSDF is in the process of being migrated to a new object-oriented database based on Java Script Object Notation (JSON). This talk will present the new format and the current status of the ENSDF modernization project, as well as future opportunities which the new format is anticipated to enable.