The database file begins with explanations of how the substance information is organized.
Headings refer to one line of data at a time, in order of appearance for a material. Under each heading is one or more lines of descriptive text. Some of the lines correspond to rows of values, and contain descriptive phrases spaced in such a way as to facilitate identifying the values. The first set of explanations applies to all substances, describing names and phase symbols.
The explanations continue with separate descriptions for fluids (gases and liquids) and solids.
