Re: NetCDF metadata and selected data variables.

Brian Etheridge wrote:

> Hi,
> I am reading in a netcdf file and applying subsetting and reduction 
> criteria.  I am trying to get my head around the fact that a variable 
> can be based on less than the full set of available coordinate 
> variables.  For example, in a FOAM netcdf file I am looking at there 
> are depth, lat and lon coordinate variables and a number of data 
> variables.  One such variable is called ICEC and it is recorded at 
> only lat and lon.
>
> My question is, if I am creating an output netcdf file which is going 
> to contain just the ICEC variable what should I output in the global 
> metadata?  Should I output all three coordinate variables?  What shape 
> should they be?  What shape should they be when I include another 
> variable which is based on different coordinate variables and has 
> different shape?
>
> Thanks
> Brian
You need to match the coordinate variables exactly with what the data 
variable needs. If there are multiple coordinate systems, you must write 
different coordinate variables for each.

You might want to look at some of the established conventions, 
especially COARDS and CF-1, at:

http://my.unidata.ucar.edu/content/software/netcdf/conventions.html