[netCDF #OEB-334875]: Problem when retrieving dimensions of x

["Unidata netCDF Support" <support-netcdf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Christian,

A dimension only has a name and length.  In addition, it can have the property
of being unlimited.

A variable has a name, type, shape, attached attributes, and values.

Also a dimension can be shared by one of more variables, indicating a common
coordinate axis for the variables.

See this UML diagram for the data model:

http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf/workshops/2007/datamodel/NcClassicModel.html

Using the same name for a dimension and its associated coordinate variable is
a language-independent convention for simple coordinate systems.  But more
complex coordinate systems, such as those that require auxiliary coordinates
as described in the CF conventions, may not be able to use this convention.

Using the same name for two different objects may also lead to confusion,
as you have discovered.  On balance, I think the benefits of the convention
are worth the confusion it sometimes causes, but you may not agree :-).

--Russ

Russ Rew                                         UCAR Unidata Program
russ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx                     http://www.unidata.ucar.edu



Ticket Details
===================
Ticket ID: OEB-334875
Department: Support netCDF
Priority: Normal
Status: Closed