Unidata

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.

2009 Unidata NetCDF Workshop for Developers and Data Providers > The "Classic" NetCDF Data Model