<p>The bulk loader is a tool that Tripal provides for loading of data contained in tab 
delimited files. Tripal supports loading of files in standard formats (e.g. FASTA, GFF, OBO), 
but Chado can support a variety of different biological data types and there are often no 
community standard file formats for loading these data. For example, there is no file 
format for importing genotype and phenotype data. Those data can be stored in the feature, 
stock and natural diversity tables of Chado. The Bulk Loader was introduced in Tripal v1.1 
and provides a web interface for building custom data loader. In short, the site developer 
creates the bulk loader "template". This template can then be used and re-used for any tab 
delimited file that follows the format described by the template. Additionally, bulk loading 
templates can be exported allowing Tripal sites to share loaders with one another.  Loading 
templates that have been shared are available on the Tripal website here: 
<?php print l('http://tripal.info/extensions/bulk-loader-templates', 'http://tripal.info/extensions/bulk-loader-templates');?>.</p>
<br />
<h3>General Usage</h3>
<ol>
<li><strong>Plan how to store your data.</strong>
  <br />This is the most important and often the most difficult step. This
  is because it requires familiarity with the Chado database schema and due to the
  flexibility of the schema, you may be able to store your data multiple ways. It is
  considered best practice to consult the GMOD website and the Chado community (via the 
  <?php print l('gmod-schema mailing list', 'https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/gmod-schema');?>) when deciding how to store data.</li>
<li><strong>Create a new Bulk Loading Template to map the columns from your data file to chado.</strong>
  <br />Creating a new template can be done by clicking on the "Templates" tab above
  and then the "Add Template" link. Note that the template is designed with a single line
  from your file in mind. Furthermore, the term "record" refers to a single entry in chado
  and the term "field" refers to a column in a specific chado table.</li>
<li><strong>Create a Bulk Loader Job with file-specific details that uses your template to load a 
specific file.</strong>
  <br />Create a Bulk Loading Job by clicking on the "Jobs" tab above and then "Add Bulk 
  Loading Job". Remember to select the template you just created and to ensure that you
  provide the absolute path to the file. Note: The file must already be uploaded to the
  same server as your Drupal installation and must be readable by the command-line
  user who executes the tripal job.</li>
</ol>
<p>For the full tutorial, see the <?php print l('Tripal User Manual: The Bulk Loader', 'http://tripal.info/node/109');?>.</p>