Alternatives to netCDF

3.3 Alternatives to netCDF

Are there alternatives for storing, accessing, and sharing earth science data?

NetCDF is a widely used choice for array-oriented earth science data that is

Other alternatives worth considering include

HDF5 (Hierarchical Data Format version 5): oriented towards high performance computing; more complex than netCDF, but also more powerful
Relational database management systems: for example MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, or PostgreSQL; good for tabular data such as observational data
GIS (Geospatial Information Systems) formats: for example Shapefiles or KML, useful for 2D spatial data and associated tabular data.
SciDB: new open source data management and analytics software for data-instensive science organized around multi-dimensional array storage
GRIB (GRIdded Binary) and BUFR (Binary Universal Form for the Representation of meteorological data): WMO standards for international data exchange. (See John Caron's Shaggy GRIB Stories and Black hole BUFR Blues for a contrary opinion.)