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[CF-metadata] FW: netcdf for particle trajectories

From: Chris Barker <Chris.Barker>
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:37:50 -0800

On 11/28/2011 12:28 PM, Chris Barker wrote:
>> With
>> netcdf, we dont need the ragged array mecahnism - that's only needed to
>> overcome the limitations of the classic model.
>
> Can you tell us more? how do you express a "ragged_array" in netcdf 4?
> Variable length user-defined types, maybe?

To answer my own questions, I found this:

http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf/workshops/2010/netcdf4/VarLens.html

so yes, essentially ragged arrays are built-in to netcdf4.

So if we want to go the netcdf4 route, that would be a bit easier.

Although I do note this:

"""
Access to a variable-length value is atomic
     Length and values written or read together
     Can't know length until value is read
"""

That's a pity -- sometimes it is nice to know how big something is
before you read it, but probably not a big deal in the common use cases.

-Chris

-- 
Christopher Barker, Ph.D.
Oceanographer
Emergency Response Division
NOAA/NOS/OR&R            (206) 526-6959   voice
7600 Sand Point Way NE   (206) 526-6329   fax
Seattle, WA  98115       (206) 526-6317   main reception
Chris.Barker at noaa.gov
Received on Mon Nov 28 2011 - 15:37:50 GMT

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