[CF-metadata] Proposal for better handling vector quantities in CF

From: Jonathan Gregory <j.m.gregory>
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 08:38:00 +0000

Dear Randy

> In the problem domain I am working, there are multiple related data variables in the same coordinate space for which the quality flags are the same. It would be a stretch to call these multiple related data variables "vectors" in the true mathematical sense.

> Given this looser definition of "vector", the notion of having standard names associated with the umbrella data variable does not seem to make sense as different projects would potentially have project-unique groupings of variables where it is desirable to share quality flags, etc.

I agree. The discussions of Thomas's umbrella variable have touched on this
point but it doesn't seem to suit the purpose of providing a single quality
flag variable for an arbitrary selection of geophysical quantities. Hence I
think the idea of generalising the standard_name att to the format
  standard_name [standard_name ...] modifier
i.e. permitting more than two words in it would be more suitable and
general-purpose. The main motivation for the umbrella variable is different
viz. to identify a group of data variables which together constitute a single
higher-level geophysical quantity.

Best wishes

Jonathan
Received on Thu Jan 05 2012 - 01:38:00 GMT