• Get the daily snapshot from: ftp://ftp.unidata.ucar.edu/pub/netcdf/snapshot/netcdf-4-daily.tar.gz
• The daily snapshot release is a complete netCDF release, version "netcdf-4.0-snapshot2008101402"
• Snapshot passes "make distcheck" on Linux platform before its release.
• Cross-platform testing takes place nightly at Unidata, after the snapshot is generated.
• Get the daily snapshot for the latest updates to the code and documentation.
• Snapshot documentation us on-line: http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf/docs_snapshot/
• If you find a bug in the code or documentation, and I tell you that it's fixed, you should check the snapshot to make sure I'm right.
• The snapshot has replaced all alpha and most beta distributions of the software. This should encourage you to try the beta releases, as there are fewer of them.
• Snapshot build and test output also can be found on-line. You must register at Unidata web site to get access to this information.
• If you do find a bug, check the snapshot to see if it has been fixed.
• If you have problems building netCDF, try the snapshot to see if its configure script is smarter.

2008 Unidata NetCDF Workshop for Developers and Data Providers > Porting and Testing the NetCDF C/Fortran/C++ Libraries