Re: Question about NcML "char" vs "byte" types

Michael Johnson wrote:
> Hi John,
>
> I recently started working at OPeNDAP.org in Narragansett, RI.  I am 
> working on an NcML handler for Hyrax.   I had a simple question which 
> I couldn't find a satisfactory answer to in the NcML schema or online 
> and Dan Holloway suggested I write you.
>
> For NcML types "char" and "byte", is the distinction that the 
> specification of the value is numeric in [0, 255] for a byte and a 
> single C character for char?  I would also assume char types can be 
> specified using the standard C syntax?
>
> As a metaquestion, is there a repository of NcML files I can use as 
> examples to find answers for questions such as these as I extend my 
> parser?
>
> Thanks very much for your help!
>
> -Michael
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> Michael Johnson <address@hidden>
> OPeNDAP, Inc.
Hi Michael:

"char" is a legacy type that mostly is used for ascii. we generally 
assume it can be converted to String type, although there are some 
issues around multidimensional arrays. In a way, its not really defines 
what it is, but the typical case is that its mapped to C char type.

"byte" is 8-bit data, may be signed or unsigned.

Not sure what you mean by " would also assume char types can be 
specified using the standard C syntax? "

You might have a look at:

 http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf-java/CDM/index.html

Which parts of NcML you will add to Hyrax? I have some test files, 
although I dont think they would answer these kinds of questions.