Variables

4.4 Variables

Variables hold data values. In the classic netCDF data model, a variable can hold a multidimensional array of values of the same type.

A variable has a name, type, shape, attributes, and values.

In the classic data model, the type of a variable is the external type of its data as represented on disk, one of
- char
- byte (8 bits)
- short (16 bits)
- int (32 bits)
- float (32 bits)
- double (64 bits)
The shape of a variable is specified with a list of dimensions.
- no dimensions: a scalar variable with only one value
- 1 dimension: a 1-D (vector) variable
- 2 dimensions: a 2-D (matrix or grid) variable
- ...
A variable may have attributes to specify properties such as units.
The values of variables are the data in a netCDF file.
A record variable is a variable that uses a record (or unlimited) dimension. It can grow efficiently by having data added along the record dimension.
The enhanced data model adds new types, and also allows the user to define data types.