Example CDL for groups: groups

• A group can itself contain types, dimensions, variables, and (nested) groups
• Like directories in the Unix file system
• In example, each inner group has its own "temperature" variable, its own "stations" dimension, and its own "time" unlimited dimension
• Uses for groups include:
  • containers to "factor out" common information, such as for regions, grids, or model ensembles
  • hierarchies to organize a large number of variables
  • separate name scopes, so that multiple sets of data may use the same names for dimensions, variables, and group-level attributes
  • sequences of analysis steps, from raw data to derived products
  • containers for storing closely coupled data, such as instrument calibration parameters and instrument sensor descriptions

2012 Unidata NetCDF Workshop > Utilities for NetCDF-4