Re: Net CDF to ASCII or binary

["Mark Verschell" <markv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Grigory,

	Phew, interesting questions.

First, yes ferret can easily transform between NetCDF and ASCII or binary. Just
"USE" the NetCDF file, and then use the "LIST/FILE/FORMAT" command. See the
manual for exact details, but here is an example.

yes? use mydata		                              ! NetCDF file
yes? list/file=mydata.dat/format=(20F5.2) myvar       ! ASCII Output
	or
yes? list/file=mydata.unf/format=UNF myvar            ! Binary Output

The second question made me think. I don't know if this would work but you
could try something like:

<myprog.f>

  .
  .
  (bunch of ForTran commands)
  .
  .
  call system('ferret < FerretCommands > FerretOutput')
  .
  .
  (more ForTran commands)
  end

where FerretCommands is a file containing ferret commands and ending in quit,
and FerretOutput is a file that gets the ferret output. This sounds
interesting, and I might have to try it.

Of course, this might not work. I know that the Ferret Live Action Data Server
(see the ferret home page - it's way cool) uses pipes via a c program to do
this. The above way might work - slightly modified - since the ferret program
might not terminate and return control to the ForTran program. A possible
modification (with simplicity the chief modus):

    call system('ferret < FerretCommands > FerretOutput&')
! I think this backgrounds the command - I forget, but there is a way
! Now look for a file that FerretCommands tells ferret to write
100 inquire(file='ferret.done',exist=fdone)
    if (fdone) then
        call system('/etc/killall ferret')
    else
        goto 100
    endif

You could put a delay statement before the  goto 100 so that you aren't burning
up so much CPU time waiting.

I might try this, and if so will report to the Ferret group, maybe someone else
will (Grigory?), or maybe Steve Hankin has something better.

	Mark

-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

	      Mark Verschell (verschell@coaps.fsu.edu)
	      Center for Ocean and Atmospheric Prediction Studies
	      Florida State University
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              R.M. Johnson Bldg. - Suite 200
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