Dear list,

I have not come across any mention of netCDF4 groups (and other netCDF4 features) in the CF conventions. I was wondering if there are nevertheless standard ways to use groups.

For example, I have repackaged some statistics data (csv files) from met masts in netCDF4. I've been trying to apply the CF conventions, but bump into issues, e.g., of duplication.

Currently, the structure I use is:

root level:
 * time dimension/variable
 * per-instrument-type groups

instrument level:
 * height (of instrument) dimension/variable
 * instrument metadata attributes (not covered by CF conventions)
* signal groups (some instruments measure more than one signal)
signal level:
* signal specific metadata, e.g., units (covered by CF conventions, but for variables)
 * signal statistics variables

statistics variables:
 * data
 * some statistic-specific attributes like cell_methods
 * should I duplicate the signal metadata such as unit here?

The group structure is helpful, because its structure improves self-descriptiveness, I feel. I guess the structure is also a form of metadata. But perhaps it is considered out-of-scope for the CF conventions?


Best,

Erik

--
https://ac.erikquaeghebeur.name
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