[CF-metadata] bounds/precision for time axis

From: Jon Blower <j.d.blower>
Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 22:16:24 +0100

Dear Jonathan,

Yes, I take your point. Another option would be to allow a simple
attribute on a time axis "nominal_precision" or something similar, which
could take values like "1 day", "1 month" etc. This could be in
addition to the bounds and cell_methods attributes. The problem with
using the bounds/cell_methods approach in isolation is that it requires
a client to look at the bounds for every point along the time axis to
verify that the bounds for each point is the same length.

Best wishes,
Jon

-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Gregory [mailto:jonathan at met.reading.ac.uk] On Behalf Of
Jonathan Gregory
Sent: 02 June 2010 19:13
To: Jon Blower
Cc: cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu
Subject: Re: [CF-metadata] bounds/precision for time axis

Dear Jon

If we decide to let cell_methods indicate "vagueness" I don't think it's
a
problem if the bounds themselves are precise. The precision is somewhat
irrelevant, as you say, but it shouldn't be misleading in view of the
cell_methods. Changing cell_methods is a small alteration to the CF
standard,
whereas introducing alternative ways of representing time is a large and
complex change, which would require substantial alteration to software
as well.

Best wishes

Jonathan
Received on Wed Jun 02 2010 - 15:16:24 BST