A new stable release of netcdf-java 2.2.12 is now ready at http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf-java/ Among other improvements, this version implements an updated version of NcML (NcML-2.2) described at: http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf/ncml/You are encouraged to upgrade to new stable releases as they become available, since various bugs are fixed.
A stable release means that no further features will be added, and only bug fixes will be made. New development is now being done on the 2.2.13 version. Use the development version only if you need the new features.