NetCDF

Network Common Data Format ( NetCDF ) is a file format for the exchange of scientific data. It is a binary file format that is independent of the machine by specifying the byte order in the header. NetCDF is an open standard; The project is managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research ( UCAR ).

Although NetCDF is based on the similar-sounding Common Data Format (CDF ) of NASA, however, has continued to evolve from this and is no longer compatible. Currently, the NetCDF version 3; Version 4 should be combined with the Hierarchical Data Format version 5.

NetCDF is used especially in climatology and geographic information systems.

Format Description

The file format is self-describing - there is a header in the next metadata (in the form of ordered pairs of keys and attributes ) and the structure of the data area is described. The data itself is stored as a (one-or multi-dimensional ) arrays, which allows quick access.

The programming interface ( API for engl. Application programming interface ) version 3 differs markedly from the API version 2, but which is completely contained for backward compatibility. The new version 4.0 of the NetCDF APIs used as a basis, the HDF5 format, but the API is also backward compatible to the old data formats. To ensure that new functions are possible for NetCDF programs when using the new format, such as large files and an unlimited number of data dimensions. Thus, the performance of the HDF5 format is to be combined with the ease of use of the NetCDF APIs.

Software

From the UCAR there is a program library that provides read and write access to NetCDF files. This library is written in C, but there are interfaces to C , Fortran, R, Perl, Python, Ruby, Matlab, IDL and Octave. There is also UCAR nor an implementation in Java.

The following programs are available:

  • NetCDF Operators: A collection of programs for the analysis and processing of NetCDF files.
  • NcBrowse: A NetCDF file viewer with support for graphics, animation and 3D visualization.
  • Ncview: A simple NetCDF file viewer; offers animations, change the color palette, considering the various types of records, etc.
  • Panoply: written in Java NetCDF file viewer, developed by the Goddard Institute for Space Studies with an emphasis on the representation of geospatial data and support for map projections.
  • NCAR Command Language
  • PyNIO: Python module
  • Ferret Data Visualization and Analysis: visualization program for oceanographers and meteorologists, with a Mathematica -like interactive interface and choice for arbitrarily shaped cutouts.

Parallel NetCDF

For use on parallel computers Parallel NetCDF was developed by Argonne National Laboratory and Northwestern University. This is based on MPI - I / O, the I / O extension of MPI.

R (programming language) IDL (programming language) GNU Octave Message Passing Interface
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