minc_modify_header - modify the attributes in the header of a minc file
SYNOPSIS
minc_modify_header
[<options>] <file>.mnc
DESCRIPTION
Minc_modify_header allows the modification, insertion or
deletion of attributes in a minc file. If possible, the file is
modified in place, without copying the data. This will happen when
inserting (modifying) an attribute that already exists and that ends
up being the same length or shorter in the new file. If an attribute
is deleted or lengthened, then a complete copy of the data is made,
resulting in a completely new file that replaces the original.
If the file is compressed, then it is first decompressed into a file
whose name is either the same as that of the original file up to the
".mnc" extension or the same minus the compression extension
(".bz", ".bz2", ".gz", ".Z", ".z" or ".zip").
The new file will not be re-compressed.
Care is taken to completely overwrite any existing attribute when
inserting a new attribute so that information is guaranteed to be
removed from the file.
OPTIONS
Note that options can be specified in abbreviated form (as long as
they are unique) and can be given anywhere on the command line.
-sinsertvar:attr=value
Insert a string attribute into the header. If the attribute does not
exist or the new string is longer than the existing one, then all data
in the file will be copied.
-sappendvar:attr=value
Similar to -sinsert, but appends the string to the attribute's
value. If the attribute already exists it must be of string type.
-dinsertvar:attr=value(,...)
Insert a double precision attribute into the header. If the attribute
does not exist or the new attribute is longer than the existing one,
then all data in the file will be copied. A comma-separated array of
values can be specified.
-dappendvar:attr=value(,...)
Similar to -dinsert, but appends the list of double precision
values to the attribute's value. If the attribute already exists it
must be of double precision type.
-deletevar:attr
Delete an attribute from the header. USE OF THIS OPTION WILL FORCE A
COMPLETE COPY OF ALL DATA TO BE MADE. Use -sinsert with an empty
string to delete information without copying data (the attribute will
continue to exist).
-help
Print summary of command-line options and exit.
-version
Print the program's version number and exit.
EXAMPLES:
To replace the patient name with an identifier string:
To hide the patient name without copying data, assuming that we know
that the attribute exists (the attribute will remain in the file, but
it will be empty):