1. A method for storing and retrieving self-descriptive tabular data with alphanumeric and binary values, comprising the steps of: storing, in a memory of a computer, binary values in a plurality of individual binary files; generating, for storage in the memory of the computer and in an open tabular format, a file comprising: a plurality of alphanumeric data values; meta-information associated with the alphanumeric data values and describing a predetermined set of characteristics of said open tabular format and the alphanumeric data values, the open tabular format includes series data values and associated series meta-information for describing alphanumeric and binary reference data values appearing repetitively in the open tabular format, the open tabular format is formed with gap data values and associated gap meta-information for describing gaps in alphanumeric and binary reference data values appearing in the open tabular format; and a plurality of references, with each reference corresponding to one of the individual binary files; and parsing the generated file to identify locations of the alphanumeric data values and the plurality of references and to allow subsequent selective retrieval of each alphanumeric data value and each reference to an individual binary file.
1. A method for storing and retrieving self-descriptive tabular data with alphanumeric and binary values, comprising the steps of: storing, in a memory of a computer, binary values in a plurality of individual binary files; generating, for storage in the memory of the computer and in an open tabular format, a file comprising: a plurality of alphanumeric data values; meta-information associated with the alphanumeric data values and describing a predetermined set of characteristics of said open tabular format and the alphanumeric data values, the open tabular format includes series data values and associated series meta-information for describing alphanumeric and binary reference data values appearing repetitively in the open tabular format, the open tabular format is formed with gap data values and associated gap meta-information for describing gaps in alphanumeric and binary reference data values appearing in the open tabular format; and a plurality of references, with each reference corresponding to one of the individual binary files; and parsing the generated file to identify locations of the alphanumeric data values and the plurality of references and to allow subsequent selective retrieval of each alphanumeric data value and each reference to an individual binary file. 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising selectively retrieving at least one of a portion of the alphanumeric data values or an individual binary file from the parsed file.