[Go-essp-tech] NetCDF version of GFDL files

[Karl Taylor]

Hi all,

My understanding is that "classic" format since release of NetCDF 3.6 
includes support of "large files" (>2.2 Gbytes) using "64-bit offset".  
Although we recommend against files larger than 2.2 Gbytes for CMIP5 we 
don't absolutely forbid it.  We certainly don't forbid specifying 
"64-bit offset".  I think we should recommend use of 3.6.3 or higher to 
users, and encourage them to install even more recent versions.

I agree with Martin on this.  Perhaps we can post (when time permits) a 
FAQ indicating that 3.6.3 or higher should be used in reading CMIP5 data.

Best regards,
Karl


On 1/19/12 4:03 AM, martin.juckes at stfc.ac.uk wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> I’ve just noticed, following a user query, that GFDL data is in NetCDF 
> “64-bit offset” format, rather than “classic”. “64-bit offset” mode 
> requires NetCDF 3.6 or later, hence causing at least one user a 
> problem (because of an old IDL installation using an even older netcdf 
> library). I believe that most of the archive is in “classic” mode and 
> that this was, strictly speaking, requested.  However, as I have just 
> copied 40 thousand files from GFDL to BADC, I’m not keen on having the 
> GFDL data changed – rather, I think we should advise users to update 
> their software. NetCDF 3.6.0 was released in Feb. 2007, so we are not 
> exactly forcing the pace as far as software upgrades go,
>
> Cheers,
>
> Martin
>
>
> -- 
> Scanned by iCritical.
>
>
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