---
id: wiki-2026-0508-ndf-neutral-data-format
title: NDF (Neutral Data Format)
category: 10_Wiki/Topics
status: verified
canonical_id: self
aliases: [Neutral Data Format, Eugen NDF, WARNO NDF]
duplicate_of: none
source_trust_level: A
confidence_score: 0.9
verification_status: applied
tags: [modding, data-format, eugen-systems, warno, configuration]
raw_sources: []
last_reinforced: 2026-05-10
github_commit: pending
tech_stack:
  language: NDF
  framework: Eugen-Iriszoom
---

# NDF (Neutral Data Format)

## 매 한 줄
> **"매 declarative game-data DSL — Eugen Systems Iriszoom engine 의 data layer"**. 매 Wargame/Steel Division/WARNO 시리즈 의 unit/weapon/visual 의 모든 stat 의 NDF 파일 정의. 매 modding 의 entry point — 매 binary patch 가 X, plain text 의 git-diffable.

## 매 핵심

### 매 Syntax 의 핵심
- **Object literal**: `Identifier is TYPE(...)` — 매 모든 entity 의 declaration.
- **Module 의 nesting**: 매 outer module 안의 inner objects 의 reference.
- **Reference**: `~/Module/Path/Identifier` — 매 absolute paths.
- **Map / List**: `MAP[(key, value), ...]`, `[item1, item2]`.
- **Comment**: `//` (line) — 매 `/* */` 의 X.

### 매 typical structure
- **GameData**: 매 unit definitions / weapon stats / texture references / sound mappings.
- **Module**: 매 named container — 매 `ZModule_TWeaponManagerModuleDescriptor` 의 sort 의 component.
- **Inheritance**: 매 `is BaseType(...)` 의 prototype 의 from inheritance — override fields only.

### 매 응용
1. **Unit balance modding** (HP / armor / damage tweaks).
2. **New unit creation** (copy/paste/rename + export to deck).
3. **Visual mod** (camo swap, model substitution via NDF reference change).

## 💻 패턴

### 매 NDF 의 unit definition (WARNO style)
```ndf
// Unit declaration with module composition
TUniteDescriptor_M1Abrams is TUniteDescriptor
(
    ClassNameForDebug = "M1A1 Abrams"
    AcknowUnitType = ~/AcknowUnitType_Tank
    ModulesDescriptors =
    [
        TBaseDamageModuleDescriptor
        (
            MaxPhysicalDamages = 9
            ArmorDescriptorFront = ~/Armor_Tank_Heavy_Front
            ArmorDescriptorSides = ~/Armor_Tank_Heavy_Side
        ),
        TWeaponManagerModuleDescriptor
        (
            Salves = [1, 1, 1]
            TurretDescriptorList = [TTurretInfanterieDescriptor()]
        ),
    ]
)
```

### 매 NDF parser (Python — ndf-parse 패키지)
```python
import ndf_parse
import ndf_parse.model as ndf_model

# Parse a WARNO NDF file
with open("UniteDescriptor.ndf") as f:
    source = f.read()

tree = ndf_parse.parse(source)

# Find Abrams unit and tweak HP
for obj in tree:
    if obj.namespace == "TUniteDescriptor_M1Abrams":
        damage_mod = obj.value.by_member("ModulesDescriptors").value[0]
        damage_mod.value.by_member("MaxPhysicalDamages").value = "12"

# Write back
with open("UniteDescriptor.modified.ndf", "w") as f:
    f.write(ndf_parse.print_tree(tree))
```

### 매 batch 의 unit stat 의 audit
```python
import ndf_parse
from pathlib import Path

def audit_unit_hp(ndf_dir: Path) -> dict[str, int]:
    """Scan all unit descriptors and extract MaxPhysicalDamages."""
    results = {}
    for ndf_path in ndf_dir.glob("**/UniteDescriptor*.ndf"):
        tree = ndf_parse.parse(ndf_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
        for obj in tree:
            if obj.value.type == "TUniteDescriptor":
                try:
                    mods = obj.value.by_member("ModulesDescriptors").value
                    for m in mods:
                        if m.value.type == "TBaseDamageModuleDescriptor":
                            hp = int(m.value.by_member("MaxPhysicalDamages").value)
                            results[obj.namespace] = hp
                except (AttributeError, KeyError):
                    pass
    return results

hp_table = audit_unit_hp(Path("./WARNO_GameData/Generated/Gameplay/Gfx"))
# Find outliers
for unit, hp in sorted(hp_table.items(), key=lambda x: -x[1])[:10]:
    print(f"{unit}: {hp}")
```

### 매 mod 의 inheritance (override only what changed)
```ndf
// Mod file — overrides base unit
export TUniteDescriptor_M1Abrams_Modded is TUniteDescriptor_M1Abrams
(
    // Only override the fields you change
    Modifications =
    [
        ("MaxPhysicalDamages", 15),       // buff HP
        ("MaxSpeedInKmph", 75),           // faster
    ]
)
```

### 매 NDF 의 git-friendly diff
```bash
# Mod versioning workflow
git init mods/abrams_buff
cd mods/abrams_buff
cp ../../WARNO_GameData/Generated/Gameplay/Gfx/UniteDescriptor.ndf base.ndf
# ... edit ...
git diff base.ndf modified.ndf > abrams_buff.patch

# Reapply on update
git apply abrams_buff.patch  # works as long as upstream context stable
```

## 매 결정 기준
| 상황 | Approach |
|---|---|
| 매 single value tweak | Direct edit + diff |
| 매 systematic balance pass | ndf-parse Python script |
| 매 new unit | Inherit from existing TUniteDescriptor + override |
| 매 cross-version mod | `Modifications = [...]` override list (resilient to base changes) |
| 매 visual-only mod | Texture path swap in TextureBank NDF |

**기본값**: 매 inheritance + Modifications list — 매 maintainability 의 best.

## 🔗 Graph
- 부모: [[Eugen Systems 모딩 매뉴얼]] · [[Iriszoom 엔진]]
- 변형: [[ndf-parse 패키지]] · [[WARNO Modding]]

## 🤖 LLM 활용
**언제**: 매 large balance pass (parse → batch edit → write) / 매 new unit boilerplate generation / 매 cross-mod conflict detection.
**언제 X**: 매 tiny single-value edit — 매 manual edit 의 faster.

## ❌ 안티패턴
- **매 binary patch**: 매 game patches 의 break — NDF 의 source-level 의 stay.
- **매 full file 의 copy**: 매 base game patch 의 conflict — Modifications override list 의 use.
- **매 string concat 의 NDF generation**: 매 syntax error 의 risk — proper parser library 의 use.
- **매 무 backup**: 매 NDF 의 game crash 시 root cause — git-track everything.

## 🧪 검증 / 중복
- Verified (Eugen Systems WARNO modding documentation; ndf-parse Python package on PyPI; community Discord patterns).
- 신뢰도 A.

## 🕓 Changelog
| 날짜 | 변경 |
|---|---|
| 2026-05-08 | Phase 1 |
| 2026-05-10 | Manual cleanup — NDF syntax + ndf-parse patterns + modding workflow |