Bob Simons wrote:
Other comments from a 2.2 newbie:
Your web site
(http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf-java/index.htm) says "The
latest version of 1.4.2 is recommended." Given that security alerts
have been issued for older versions of Java (see
http://www.computerworld.com/securitytopics/security/story/0,10801,106607,00.html?source=NLT_APP2&nid=106607),
we should all be using newer versions of Java. It would be nice if you
wrote to the Java 1.4 API but supported compilation and use with Java
1.4 and 1.5. You probably do that, so it would be nice if you said so
and recommended the latest 1.5 version of Java.
Well, I hadnt been considering it from a security POV, just from what we have
tested. Those particular 3 flaws mentioned all have to do with untrusted
applets, but we dont allow applets, trusted or not anywhere. Still, if you know
that 1.5 is more secure, I will certainly include that in our recommendation.
Im 99% sure you can use the existing netcdf jars in a 1.5 environment.
The User's Guide has more information about Netcdf version 3 vs 4 than
the JavaDocs (which seem to say nothing). It would be nice if the
JavaDoc for NetcdfFile said, "Use the static NetcdfFile.open methods to
open a local netCDF (version 3 or 4) file, and most HDF5 files. See
NetcdfDataset.open for more general reading capabilities, including
OpenDAP and NcML." Actually, it would be nice if all the information in
the User's Guide for NetcdfFile were in the JavaDoc.
The Users Guide is so out of date is almost unusable. I hope to update it soon,
but dont hold your breath. Sorry about that.
It would be nice if the JavaDoc for NetcdfFileWriteable said "This class
just creates NetCDF 3 files." Actually, it would be nice if all the
information in the User's Guide for NetcdfFileWriteable were in the
JavaDoc.
good idea.
It would be nice if the JavaDoc for NetcdfFile identified features which
are new to netCDF4, so that when we want to write netCDF3 files, we can
avoid those features.
good idea. I hope to get back to the netcdf-4 project soon.
Just curious: if NetcdfFile is for read-only use of the files, why are
there all those methods for "add"ing things to the file?
We construct Netcdf files from other packages (eg ucar.nc2.iosp.*) so
unfortunatley these had to be made public.
I don't mean to complain so much. In general, I like all these classes
and their documentation.
I appreciate your comments, and I'll try to take them into account next time i
am documenting.
Thanks!
