[ferret_users]"save" changes the variable type

[zhen.li@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Dear Ferret users,

Recently I noticed that using ferret "save" command to extract variables 
from netcdf file does not
preserve the variable types in the original file. For example, variable 
"temp" is defined as "short temp(time, zt_ocean, yt_ocean, xt_ocean) in my 
original file".  After I open this file and do "save temp" to another file, 
"temp" is defined
as "float TEMP(TIME, ZT_OCEAN, YT_OCEAN, XT_OCEAN)". Also, ZT_OCEAN, 
YT_OCEAN, XT_OCEAN are all
declared as "double" in stead of  float. Of course, the variables are all 
capitalized. I wonder if there is any way to force
the ferret to write out  the variables as is?

I know that this is not a big deal. But, the file saved by ferret actually 
doubles the size.  I'd like to keep my file size as small as possible.

Some of you might suggest that I use "ncks" to extract the variables. 
However, I got an error message when I use
ncks to retrieve the variable.
"ncks: ERROR unable to determine method for remote retrieval of 
ocean_month_1980_01.nc". The ncks works well
when I use it on Compaq super computer where the ocean_month_1980_01.nc was 
created. But, once after I
transfer the file to a local Linux machine, it no longer works. Does anyone 
know why this is the case?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Zhen


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