>>Here is what I found out about the atom numbering:
>>   with .pdb files the atom number is the number in the file
>>   with .mol files the atom numbering starts with 1
>>   with .xyz files the atom numbering starts with 0
>>
>>I am *not* happy about this :-(
>
> This is a tough area because the semantics are fuzzy. Particularly where
>  the number is implicit (as in mol, xyz) or has gaps (e.g. PDB). It may
> help  to think of these "numbers" as labels.
I agree that this is a good way to think about it.

Internally, I don't use this number for anything. But script writers have
(and will) use the atom numbers to identify specific atoms.
> Again it is dangerous to
> try to map  to the *internal* numbering in another program because it
> might get updated  when you are looking. It is particular problematic
> when the numbering  changes when an atom is added/deleted.
Agreed.

> In general I would try to use these "numbers" only for input/output or
> when  they have to be visually displayed to a human. If it's feasible I
> would  create additional data storage for these number rather than
> trying to keep  them in sync. Having to remember when to add +1, etc. is
> fragile
yes

Miguel




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