dbc-domain-and-serialization

name	dbc-domain-and-serialization
description	CANdb domain rules in candb-studio — signal pool, message references, value tables, VAL_ merging, orphan pool signals, and DBC round-trip expectations. Use when editing parsers, serializers, CanDatabase, or value-description logic.

DBC domain and serialization (this repo)

Core ideas

• CanDatabase holds nodes, messages, signal pool, value tables, attributes, etc.
• Messages reference pool signals by name; resolved layout uses Message.getResolvedSignals(pool, db).
• Value tables (ValueTable): name, optional comment (CM_ VAL_TABLE_), entries map raw integer → label.
• Signals may set valueTableName; effective value labels merge table + per-signal/per-message VAL_ via valueDescriptionMerge.ts.

Serialization notes

• Empty VAL_TABLE_ Name ; must parse and round-trip (name-only line).
• Orphan pool signals (not on any frame) persist in extension block — see orphanSignalBlob.ts and serializer.
• After changing parser or serializer, run compile and add/extend tests under test/unit/infrastructure/parsers/ when possible.

Automotive context

• Raw values are integers in tables unless project explicitly supports floats elsewhere.
• For bus semantics (CAN, packing, OEM quirks), prefer project agent automotive-can.