SeaDataNet NetCDF format definition. Version 1.21.

Abstract

The CF metadata conventions (https://cf-trac.llnl.gov/trac) are designed to promote the processing and sharing of files created with the NetCDF API. The conventions define metadata that provide a definitive description of what the data in each variable represents, and the spatial and temporal properties of the data. This enables users of data from different sources to decide which quantities are comparable, and facilitates building applications with powerful extraction, regridding, and display capabilities. The standard is both mature and well-supported by formal governance for its further development. The standard is fully documented by a PDF manual accessible from a link from the CF metadata homepage (https://cf-trac.llnl.gov/trac). Note that CF is a developing standard and consequently access via the homepage rather than through a direct URL to the document is recommended to ensure that the latest version is obtained. The current version of this document was prepared using version 1.6 of the conventions dated 5 December 2011.