Section: 5.6 The Java API

5.6 The Java API

The netCDF Java library is a 100% Java implementation that provides advanced capabilities not yet available in other language interfaces.

Strengths

Object-oriented interface
Platform independence
Advanced network support, client-server access
Provides CF conventions compliance, coordinate systems
Supports on-the-fly decompression and caching
Supports reading netCDF data and data in other formats through a Common Data Model interface:

Other Characteristics

Independent of the C implementation, unlike other netCDF language interfaces
Unlike C-based interfaces, requires explicitly copying data when changing schema (so performance implications are not hidden)
Still alpha designation, APIs may change in minor ways to support netCDF-4
Doesn't yet allow redefining or deleting attributes

Examples

Annotated examples of complete Java netCDF programs are available from the program examples page.