[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: NetCDF4 in Matlab?

This archive contains answers to questions sent to Unidata support through mid-2025. Note that the archive is no longer being updated. We provide the archive for reference; many of the answers presented here remain technically correct, even if somewhat outdated. For the most up-to-date information on the use of NSF Unidata software and data services, please consult the Software Documentation first.

  • Subject: Re: NetCDF4 in Matlab?
  • Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2010 10:17:09 -0500
As Rich points out, matlab version R2010b has native support for reading and 
writing netCDF-4 files, both classic and enhanced models.  It does so by 
mapping the C APIs into matlab's package concept, so using it directly does 
require some familiarity with the netCDF C library.

If one does not have R2010b yet, then things get complicated.  SNCTOOLS on 
sourceforge (written by me) may be worth a look.  It sits on top of either 
matlab's native package, netcdf-java, or the older community mex-file and 
will switch back and forth between backends as necessary, depending on what 
version of matlab one has and what kind of file one has.  The netcdf-java 
backend gives users at least read-support for netCDF-4 (matlab versions 
R2006a through R2010a).  If someone you know needs netCDF-4 write-support and 
doesn't have R2010b, I would suggest telling them to contact me directly.  


On Friday 10 December 2010 09:38:29 Rich Signell wrote:
> Jon, John & Co,
>
> Either of the netcdf-java toolboxs can read NetCDF4.  I wouldn't say
> either is "preferred" at this point.  NC toolbox is easier to install,
> uses more modern features of Matlab and is much simpler coding.  NJ
> toolbox has more functionality and works with older versions of
> Matlab, but is more complex.
>
> The native Matlab interface also supports both reading and writing of
> NetCDF4, at least in Matlab 2010b.  Check out the m-file in the
> attached .zip.
>
>
> -Rich
>
> On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 9:25 AM, John Caron <address@hidden> wrote:
> > On 12/10/2010 8:57 AM, Jon Blower wrote:
> >
> > Hi Rich, John and Russ,
> >
> > We've had an enquiry here about whether Matlab can read NetCDF4 files
> > (which I think means compressed data with the classic data model), either
> > "natively" (presumably through the C libraries) or through the
> > Matlab-Java interface.  Do you know if anyone has achieved this?
> >
> > Cheers, Jon
> >
> > matlab can use the java-netcdf4 library, which gives it access to all the
> > CDM files, including netcdf4.
> >
> > there are 2 matlab toolkits:
> >
> > MATLAB toolkits
> >
> > njTBX (Rich Signell/USGS, Sachin Bhate/Mississippi State University)
> > nctoolbox (Brian Schlining/MBARI)
> >
> > rich, which one is preferred?