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2008 Unidata NetCDF Workshop for Developers and Data Providers

11 Introduction to NetCDF-4
Introduction to the netCDF-4 data model, APIs, format, compatibility, features, performance enhancements, and plans.

11.0  The NetCDF-4 Data Model
The netCDF-4 data model adds Groups and User-Defined Types to the classic netCDF data model, but backward compatibility is preserved.
11.1  NetCDF-4 Features
Features of netCDF-4 address netCDF-3 limitations.
11.2  Compatibility of NetCDF-4
NetCDF-4 provides both format and API compatibility with netCDF-3.
11.3  Unicode Names
Use of Unicode in names provides better support for international uses.
11.4  Groups
Groups provide a scope for names and a scalable way to organize data objects.
11.5  Multiple Unlimited Dimensions
Multiple unlimited dimensions let variables grow along multiple axes.
11.6  Compound Types
Compound types provide a portable version of C structs.
11.7  Enumerations
Enumerations can provide named flag values for improving self-description
11.8  Variable-Length Types
Variable-Length types provide support for ragged arrays.
11.9  NetCDF-4 Performance Improvements
NetCDF-4 uses HDF5 for its storage layer, which provides several ways to improve performance, even for netCDF-3 programs.
11.10  Chunking
Chunked storage can provide significant performance benefits
11.11  Compression
Per-variable compression means variables may be compressed independently.
11.12  Ample Variable Sizes
Most constraints on variable size are eliminated in netCDF-4.
11.13  Efficient Dynamic Schema Changes
In netCDF-4, it is possible to efficiently add new metadata
11.14  Parallel I/O
Parallel I/O exploits parallel file systems on high-performance computing platforms.
11.15  Reader Makes Right Conversions
The use of a "reader makes right" approach avoids many data conversions.
11.16  NetCDF-4 Status
NetCDF-4.0 was released in June 2008.

 


Previous: Status Next: The NetCDF-4 Data Model Table of contents Frames User guide
2008 Unidata NetCDF Workshop for Developers and Data Providers