1. The ncdump and ncgen utilities are inverses of each other:

    

   

    

2. To add, delete, or change metadata or data in a binary netCDF file:

    

   

    

   • Use ncdump to convert netCDF file to CDL
   • Use a text editor to make desired change to CDL
   • Use ncgen to turn modified CDL back into modified netCDF file
   • This is not very practical for large netCDF files.
3. To create a new netCDF file with lots of metadata:

    

   

    

   • Use a text editor to write a CDL file with lots of metadata but little or no data.
   • Use ncgen to generate a C or Fortran program that writes the corresponding binary netCDF file.
   • Insert easy "var_put"calls to the netCDF library for the data writing part of the task.
   • Compile and run the program to create the netCDF file
   • Use ncdump to verify the desired file is created.

2010 Unidata NetCDF Workshop > NetCDF Utilities