display of netCDF data

• To: netcdfgroup@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (UCAR UNIDATA)
• Subject: display of netCDF data
• From: John M. Huddleston <jhudd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
• Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 12:20:06 -0600 (MDT)

Re: Display of netCDF data with other mechanisms

I sent this once but must have gone to Dan...so here goes

With regard to Dan Kelley's comment about a lack of information
regarding netCDF.  There are two pieces of information that
some of you may want to know (if you don't already):

1)  You can display information in netCDF *.nc files with Mosaic;
2)  You can display netCDF data with Zeb.

1) Mosaic is a browser that lets the user explore machines running ftp
   and http servers on the world wide web.  For more information
   contact http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/.  A sample output is:

   Scientific Data Brows-o-rama
   
   Datasets
   
   There are 4 datasets and 8 global attributes in this file.
   
   Available datasets : 
   
      Dataset PRCP has rank 2 with dimensions [30, 366]. The dataset is 
composed of
      signed 16-bit integers. It has the following attributes : 
         Attribute long_name has the value : precipitation
         Attribute units has the value : hundredths of inches
         Attribute scale_factor has the value : 0.010000
         Attribute signedness has the value : unsigned
         Attribute C_format has the value : %4d
         Attribute scaled_C_format has the value : %6.2f
         Attribute _FillValue has the value : -1
      Dataset TMAX has rank 2 with dimensions [30, 366]. The dataset is 
composed of
      signed 16-bit integers. It has the following attributes : 
         Attribute long_name has the value : maximum temperature
         Attribute units has the value : farenheit
         Attribute scale_factor has the value : 1.000000
         Attribute signedness has the value : signed
         Attribute C_format has the value : %3d
         Attribute scaled_C_format has the value : %4.0f
         Attribute _FillValue has the value : -32768
      Dataset TMIN has rank 2 with dimensions [30, 366]. The dataset is 
composed of
      signed 16-bit integers. It has the following attributes : 
         Attribute long_name has the value : minimum temperature
         Attribute units has the value : farenheit
         Attribute scale_factor has the value : 1.000000
         Attribute signedness has the value : signed
         Attribute C_format has the value : %3d
         Attribute scaled_C_format has the value : %4.0f
         Attribute _FillValue has the value : -32768
      Dataset TAVG has rank 2 with dimensions [30, 366]. The dataset is 
composed of
      signed 16-bit integers. It has the following attributes : 
         Attribute long_name has the value : average temperature
         Attribute units has the value : farenheit
         Attribute scale_factor has the value : 1.000000
         Attribute signedness has the value : signed
         Attribute C_format has the value : %3d
         Attribute scaled_C_format has the value : %4.0f
         Attribute _FillValue has the value : -32768
   
   Global attributes : 
   
      Attribute statn_id has the value : MI8184
      Attribute data_tp has the value : O
      Attribute dur has the value : D
      Attribute base_Y has the value : 1961
      Attribute statn_nm has the value : THREE RIVERS
      Attribute lat has the value : 41.900000
      Attribute lon has the value : 85.600000
      Attribute elevn has the value : 810
   

2) I found a reference to Zeb in an AMS paper.  Here is the beginning of
   the overview from the http://www.atd.ucar.edu/ Home Page.

   Zeb(1) is a data integration, analysis, and display system designed for
   the needs of atmospheric scientists in a number of contexts. Zeb provides
   a number of features, including:

   Inclusion of a wide variety of datasets. Data can be brought into the system
   from a number of sources, including doppler radar, surface stations,
   radiosondes, aircraft, satellite, and numerous others.

   Integration of these datasets at display time. Any number of overlays from
   different data sources may be placed on the same window simultaneously,
   allowing them to be seen in relation to each other.

   Advanced graphical displays, including time-based animation (movies) and
   vertical cross sections through data.

   Friendly user interface. Almost all of the features of zeb are available
   using mouse-oriented commands. Most aspects of any plot are easily changeable
   by inexperienced users.

   Configurability. Zeb may be extensively reconfigured to meet the needs of
   different projects, datasets, and users.

   Portability. The zeb code was designed to be portable to a wide variety of
   platforms.

   Application throughout the research cycle. Zeb is intended to be used both in
   real time, during data collection, and afterward, during the postprocessing
   and analysis stage.


John Huddleston
USDA SCS
2625 Redwing, #110
Fort Collins, CO
jhudd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx