[Esip-documentation] ACDD comments -- featureType

[Signell, Richard via Esip-documentation]

featureType is not just for DSG.   Note that the TDS, when aggregating
forecast model output, adds global attributes:

cdm_data_type: GRID
featureType: GRID

to the resulting virtual aggregation.  Example:
http://omgsrv1.meas.ncsu.edu:8080/thredds/dodsC/fmrc/us_east/US_East_Forecast_Model_Run_Collection_best.ncd.html

On Mon, Sep 22, 2014 at 3:39 PM, John Graybeal via Esip-documentation
<esip-documentation at lists.esipfed.org> wrote:
> Re cdm_data_type and featureType, perhaps we are over-analyzing this. To
> review key points:
>
> 1) There is no conflict between the two of them (you can use both
> cdm_data_type and featureType without any software blowing up), or either
> one, or neither one.
> 2) There is no conflict between versions of either one.
> 3) We don't actually make featureType a recommended attribute; it is only
> referenced to clarify the distinction, as some of us were confused by the
> overlap in terms.
> 4) The listed terms in cdm_data_type are still the terms understood by
> THREDDS (so I was told last year anyway).
> 5) CF featureType seems pretty stable also.
> 6) They have redundant concepts, but different purposes -- cdm_data_type
> supports THREDDS uses, and featureType supports the CF DSG. Some data needed
> one, some will need the other.
>
> I originally thought it would be good to have a nice, clear definition of
> the feature type represented by the data (ACDD_data_type!), but am convinced
> ACDD is not the place for that. (Those with interest may want to review the
> CF trac ticket started by Martin Schultz:
> https://cf-pcmdi.llnl.gov/trac/ticket/113. I commend also the analysis that
> he has put into his wiki
> (http://redmine.iek.fz-juelich.de/projects/julich_wcs_interface/wiki/MetOcean_data_types).
> )
>
> So I claim the existing content is appropriate, and propose that we move
> cdm_data_type down to the Suggested section as a way to reflect current
> thinking about its importance.
>
> John
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Dr. Richard P. Signell   (508) 457-2229
USGS, 384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598