ISTP Guidelines Page

A CDF data set using ISTP guidelines, by definition forms a logically complete and self-sufficient whole (data and descriptions). The goal is to make the resulting CDF data set correctly and independently usable by the science community and accessible through the CDAWeb Display and Retrieval system.

Introduction

intended for first time users or anyone wanting only an overview of the process of creating a CDF data file.

Creating Skeleton CDFs

Global Attributes

Descriptions of the whole data set.

Variables

Defines data variables, support_data variables, and metadata variables including their dimensionality and what is needed for their correct display.

Variable Attributes

List and definition of attributes describing each variable.

ISTP Dictionary Keywords

intended as reference material. Valid values for one of the variable attributes (DICT_KEY) are given including class and subclass keywords, and the uses of a Data Dictionary are described.

Example Skeletons

intended as reference material. Example skeleton tables and skeleton CDFs are included.

Use SKTEditor , which is a JAVA downloadable program that aids the user with the creation of a Skeleton CDF.

Adding data to Skeleton CDFs - Three main options

1) Use IDLmakecdf program to produce a CDF file using IDL with a Skeleton CDF file and user-supplied IDL code to read user data.

IDLmakecdf (IDL software and on-line help)

2) Use makeCDF program to produce a CDF file (using C) when given 3 input files: (1) data file, (2) translation file, (3) Skeleton CDF file.

3) Use CDF software to write your own program.

Use SKTEditor to set up the variable definitions and metadata.
Use CDF User's Guide and Reference Material to find routines necessary for your own program.
CDF software