Description
Count ambiguous and missing encoded character-state sets.
Systematic character records distinguish observed states, ambiguity, missing data and inapplicability. Marker tokens and key-couplet references encode a supplied scheme; checking a local row does not determine actual homology, a complete valid key or a phylogenetic result.
Count ambiguous and missing encoded character-state sets.
When to use this tool
Use Character State Ambiguity Count when checking the stated systematic-character or identification-key record convention.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter stateSets, missingTokens, separator. Follow any array-alignment requirements below. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read ambiguous, missing. Use the output convention below.
Count ambiguous and missing encoded character-state sets. Require nonempty separator and every nonmissing set to split into nonempty tokens; ambiguous counts nonmissing sets with more than one distinct token, missing counts marker matches.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| stateSets | State Sets | Required. Array of text; maximum UTF-16 length 8192; maximum items 256. |
| missingTokens | Missing Tokens | Required. Array of text; maximum UTF-16 length 8192; maximum items 256. |
| separator | Separator | Required. Text; maximum UTF-16 length 8192. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| ambiguous | Ambiguous | Required. Safe integer. |
| missing | Missing | Required. Safe integer. |
{
"input": {
"stateSets": [
"A",
"A/B",
"?"
],
"missingTokens": [
"?"
],
"separator": "/"
},
"output": {
"ambiguous": 1,
"missing": 1
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Repeated identical states are not ambiguous; the grammar and biological meaning of alternatives are supplied rather than validated.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Validate the complete character vocabulary, specimen observations and key graph; use an appropriate systematic or phylogenetic analysis for biological conclusions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Character State Polymorphism Count
Count distinct nonmissing character-state tokens.
- Biosystematic Character State Ambiguity Mask
Return independent known, ambiguity and unknown markers.