Variable (NetCDF-Java Library 4.3.11 API)

java.lang.Object
- ucar.nc2.Variable

All Implemented Interfaces:

Comparable<VariableSimpleIF>, ProxyReader, VariableIF, VariableSimpleIF

Direct Known Subclasses:

Structure, VariableDS
```
public class Variable
extends Object
implements VariableIF, ProxyReader
```
A Variable is a logical container for data. It has a dataType, a set of Dimensions that define its array shape, and optionally a set of Attributes.
The data is a multidimensional array of primitive types, Strings, or Structures. Data access is done through the read() methods, which return a memory resident Array.
Immutable if setImmutable() was called.

Author:

caron

See Also:
Array, DataType

Nested Class Summary

Nested Classes
Modifier and Type Class and Description

protected static class Variable.Cache

Nested Classes
Modifier and Type	Class and Description
`protected static class`	`Variable.Cache`

Field Summary

Fields
Modifier and Type	Field and Description
`protected List<Attribute>`	`attributes`
`protected Variable.Cache`	`cache`
`protected DataType`	`dataType`
`protected static boolean`	`debugCaching`
`static int`	`defaultCoordsSizeToCache`
`static int`	`defaultSizeToCache`
`protected List<Dimension>`	`dimensions`
`protected int`	`elementSize`
`protected Group`	`group`
`protected int`	`hashCode`
`protected boolean`	`isMetadata`
`protected boolean`	`isVariableLength`
`protected NetcdfFile`	`ncfile`
`protected Structure`	`parent`
`protected ProxyReader`	`proxyReader`
`protected int[]`	`shape`
`protected Section`	`shapeAsSection`
`protected String`	`shortName`
`protected int`	`sizeToCache`
`protected Object`	`spiObject`

Constructor Summary

Constructors
Modifier	Constructor and Description
`protected`	`Variable()`
	`Variable(NetcdfFile ncfile, Group group, Structure parent, String shortName)` Create a Variable.
	`Variable(NetcdfFile ncfile, Group group, Structure parent, String shortName, DataType dtype, String dims)` Create a Variable.
	`Variable(Variable from)` Copy constructor.

Method Summary

Methods
Modifier and Type	Method and Description
`protected Array`	`_read()`
`protected Array`	`_read(Section section)`
`Attribute`	`addAttribute(Attribute att)` Add new or replace old if has same name
`Object`	`clone()`
`int`	`compareTo(VariableSimpleIF o)` Sort by name
`protected Variable`	`copy()`
`void`	`createNewCache()` Create a new data cache, use this when you dont want to share the cache.
`boolean`	`equals(Object oo)` Instances which have same content are equal.
`protected String`	`extraInfo()`
`Attribute`	`findAttribute(String name)` Find an Attribute by name.
`Attribute`	`findAttributeIgnoreCase(String name)` Find an Attribute by name, ignoring the case.
`int`	`findDimensionIndex(String name)` Find the index of the named Dimension in this Variable.
`List<Attribute>`	`getAttributes()` Returns the set of attributes for this variable.
`static String`	`getDAPName(String name, Variable context)`
`static String`	`getDAPName(Variable v)`
`DataType`	`getDataType()` Get the data type of the Variable.
`String`	`getDescription()` Get the description of the Variable.
`Dimension`	`getDimension(int i)` Get the ith dimension.
`List<Dimension>`	`getDimensions()` Get the list of dimensions used by this variable.
`List<Dimension>`	`getDimensionsAll()` Get list of Dimensions, including parents if any.
`String`	`getDimensionsString()` Get the list of Dimension names, space delineated.
`int`	`getElementSize()` Get the number of bytes for one element of this Variable.
`EnumTypedef`	`getEnumTypedef()`
`String`	`getFullName()` Get the full, unescaped name of this Variable, starting from rootGroup.
`String`	`getFullNameEscaped()` Get the full, escaped name of this Variable.
`String`	`getName()` Deprecated. use getFullName or getShortName
`String`	`getNameAndDimensions()` Get the display name plus the dimensions, eg 'float name(dim1, dim2)'
`String`	`getNameAndDimensions(boolean strict)` Get the display name plus the dimensions, eg 'float name(dim1, dim2)'
`void`	`getNameAndDimensions(Formatter buf, boolean useFullName, boolean strict)` Add display name plus the dimensions to the StringBuffer
`void`	`getNameAndDimensions(StringBuffer buf)` Deprecated. use getNameAndDimensions(StringBuilder buf)
`void`	`getNameAndDimensions(StringBuilder buf)` Get the display name plus the dimensions, eg 'name(dim1, dim2)'
`void`	`getNameAndDimensions(StringBuilder buf, boolean useFullName, boolean strict)` Add display name plus the dimensions to the StringBuffer
`Group`	`getParentGroup()` Get the parent group.
`Structure`	`getParentStructure()` Get the parent Variable if this is a member of a Structure, or null if its not.
`ProxyReader`	`getProxyReader()`
`List<Range>`	`getRanges()` Get shape as an List of Range objects.
`int`	`getRank()` Get the number of dimensions of the Variable.
`protected Array`	`getScalarData()`
`int[]`	`getShape()` Get the shape: length of Variable in each dimension.
`int`	`getShape(int index)` Get the size of the ith dimension
`int[]`	`getShapeAll()`
`Section`	`getShapeAsSection()` Get shape as a Section object.
`String`	`getShortName()` Get the short name of this Variable.
`long`	`getSize()` Get the total number of elements in the Variable.
`int`	`getSizeToCache()` If total data size is less than SizeToCache in bytes, then cache.
`Object`	`getSPobject()` Should not be public.
`String`	`getUnitsString()` Get the Unit String for the Variable.
`boolean`	`hasCachedData()` Has data been read and cached.
`int`	`hashCode()` Override Object.hashCode() to implement equals.
`void`	`invalidateCache()` Invalidate the data cache
`boolean`	`isCaching()` Will this Variable be cached when read.
`boolean`	`isCoordinateVariable()` Calculate if this is a classic coordinate variable: has same name as its first dimension.
`boolean`	`isImmutable()` Is this Variable immutable
`boolean`	`isMemberOfStructure()` Is this variable a member of a Structure?.
`boolean`	`isMetadata()` Is this variable metadata?.
`boolean`	`isScalar()` Whether this is a scalar Variable (rank == 0).
`boolean`	`isUnknownLength()` Deprecated. use isVariableLength()
`boolean`	`isUnlimited()` Can this variable's size grow?.
`boolean`	`isUnsigned()` Is this Variable unsigned?.
`boolean`	`isVariableLength()` Does this variable have a variable length dimension? If so, it has as one of its dimensions Dimension.VLEN.
`String`	`lookupEnumString(int val)` Lookup the enum string for this value.
`Array`	`read()` Read all the data for this Variable and return a memory resident Array.
`Array`	`read(int[] origin, int[] shape)` Read a section of the data for this Variable and return a memory resident Array.
`Array`	`read(List<Range> ranges)` Read a section of the data for this Variable from the netcdf file and return a memory resident Array.
`Array`	`read(Section section)` Read a section of the data for this Variable from the netcdf file and return a memory resident Array.
`Array`	`read(String sectionSpec)` Read data section specified by a "section selector", and return a memory resident Array.
`byte`	`readScalarByte()` Get the value as a byte for a scalar Variable.
`double`	`readScalarDouble()` Get the value as a double for a scalar Variable.
`float`	`readScalarFloat()` Get the value as a float for a scalar Variable.
`int`	`readScalarInt()` Get the value as a int for a scalar Variable.
`long`	`readScalarLong()` Get the value as a long for a scalar Variable.
`short`	`readScalarShort()` Get the value as a short for a scalar Variable.
`String`	`readScalarString()` Get the value as a String for a scalar Variable.
`long`	`readToByteChannel(Section section, WritableByteChannel wbc)`
`Array`	`reallyRead(Variable client, CancelTask cancelTask)` public by accident, do not call directly.
`Array`	`reallyRead(Variable client, Section section, CancelTask cancelTask)` public by accident, do not call directly.
`boolean`	`remove(Attribute a)` Remove an Attribute : uses the attribute hashCode to find it.
`boolean`	`removeAttribute(String attName)` Remove an Attribute by name.
`boolean`	`removeAttributeIgnoreCase(String attName)` Remove an Attribute by name, ignoring case
`void`	`resetDimensions()` Reset the dimension array.
`void`	`resetShape()` Use when dimensions have changed, to recalculate the shape.
`Variable`	`section(List<Range> ranges)` Create a new Variable that is a logical subsection of this Variable.
`Variable`	`section(Section subsection)` Create a new Variable that is a logical subsection of this Variable.
`void`	`setCachedData(Array cacheData)`
`void`	`setCachedData(Array cacheData, boolean isMetadata)` Set the data cache
`void`	`setCaching(boolean caching)` Set whether to cache or not.
`void`	`setDataType(DataType dataType)` Set the data type
`void`	`setDimension(int idx, Dimension dim)` Replace a dimension with an equivalent one.
`void`	`setDimensions(List<Dimension> dims)` Set the shape with a list of Dimensions.
`void`	`setDimensions(String dimString)` Set the dimensions using the dimensions names.
`void`	`setDimensionsAnonymous(int[] shape)` Set the dimensions using all anonymous (unshared) dimensions
`void`	`setElementSize(int elementSize)` Set the element size.
`void`	`setEnumTypedef(EnumTypedef enumTypedef)` Public by accident.
`Variable`	`setImmutable()` Make this immutable.
`void`	`setIsScalar()` Set this Variable to be a scalar
`String`	`setName(String shortName)` Set the short name, converting to valid CDM object name if needed.
`void`	`setParentGroup(Group group)` Set the parent group.
`void`	`setParentStructure(Structure parent)` Set the parent structure.
`void`	`setProxyReader(ProxyReader proxyReader)`
`void`	`setSizeToCache(int sizeToCache)` Set the sizeToCache.
`void`	`setSPobject(Object spiObject)` Should not be public.
`void`	`setValues(int npts, double start, double incr)` Generate the list of values from a starting value and an increment.
`void`	`setValues(List<String> values)` Set the data values from a list of Strings.
`Variable`	`slice(int dim, int value)` Create a new Variable that is a logical slice of this Variable, by fixing the specified dimension at the specified index value.
`String`	`toString()` CDL representation of Variable, not strict.
`String`	`toStringDebug()` String representation of Variable and its attributes.
`protected void`	`writeCDL(Formatter buf, String indent, boolean useFullName, boolean strict)`
`String`	`writeCDL(String indent, boolean useFullName, boolean strict)` CDL representation of a Variable.

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object
finalize, getClass, notify, notifyAll, wait, wait, wait

- Field Detail
  - defaultSizeToCache
```
public static final int defaultSizeToCache
```
    See Also:
    Constant Field Values
  - defaultCoordsSizeToCache
```
public static final int defaultCoordsSizeToCache
```
    See Also:
    Constant Field Values
  - debugCaching
```
protected static boolean debugCaching
```
  - ncfile
```
protected NetcdfFile ncfile
```
  - group
```
protected Group group
```
  - shortName
```
protected String shortName
```
  - shape
```
protected int[] shape
```
  - shapeAsSection
```
protected Section shapeAsSection
```
  - dataType
```
protected DataType dataType
```
  - elementSize
```
protected int elementSize
```
  - dimensions
```
protected List<Dimension> dimensions
```
  - attributes
```
protected List<Attribute> attributes
```
  - isVariableLength
```
protected boolean isVariableLength
```
  - isMetadata
```
protected boolean isMetadata
```
  - cache
```
protected Variable.Cache cache
```
  - sizeToCache
```
protected int sizeToCache
```
  - parent
```
protected Structure parent
```
  - proxyReader
```
protected ProxyReader proxyReader
```
  - hashCode
```
protected int hashCode
```
  - spiObject
```
protected Object spiObject
```
- Constructor Detail
  - Variable
```
protected Variable()
```
  - Variable
```
public Variable(NetcdfFile ncfile,
        Group group,
        Structure parent,
        String shortName)
```
    Create a Variable. Also must call setDataType() and setDimensions()
    
    Parameters:
    ncfile - the containing NetcdfFile.
    group - the containing group; if null, use rootGroup
    parent - parent Structure, may be null
    shortName - variable shortName, must be unique within the Group
  - Variable
```
public Variable(NetcdfFile ncfile,
        Group group,
        Structure parent,
        String shortName,
        DataType dtype,
        String dims)
```
    Create a Variable. Also must call setDataType() and setDimensions()
    
    Parameters:
    ncfile - the containing NetcdfFile.
    group - the containing group; if null, use rootGroup
    parent - parent Structure, may be null
    shortName - variable shortName, must be unique within the Group
    dtype - the Variable's DataType
    dims - space delimited list of dimension names. may be null or "" for scalars.
  - Variable
```
public Variable(Variable from)
```
    Copy constructor. The returned Variable is mutable. It shares the cache object and the iosp Object, attributes and dimensions with the original. Does not share the proxyReader. Use for section, slice, "logical views" of original variable.
    
    Parameters:
    from - copy from this Variable.
- Method Detail
  - getDAPName
```
public static String getDAPName(String name,
                Variable context)
```
  - getDAPName
```
public static String getDAPName(Variable v)
```
  - getName
```
public String getName()
```
    Deprecated. use getFullName or getShortName
    
    Get the variable name.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getName in interface VariableSimpleIF
    
    Returns:
    full unescaped name
  - getFullName
```
public String getFullName()
```
    Get the full, unescaped name of this Variable, starting from rootGroup. The name is unique within the entire NetcdfFile.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getFullName in interface VariableIF
    
    Specified by:
    
    getFullName in interface VariableSimpleIF
    
    Returns:
    full, unescaped name
  - getFullNameEscaped
```
public String getFullNameEscaped()
```
    Get the full, escaped name of this Variable. Use for NetcdfFile.findVariable().
    
    Specified by:
    
    getFullNameEscaped in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    full, escaped name
    See Also:
    "http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf-java/CDM/Identifiers.html"
  - getShortName
```
public String getShortName()
```
    Get the short name of this Variable. The name is unique within its parent group.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getShortName in interface VariableIF
    
    Specified by:
    
    getShortName in interface VariableSimpleIF
    
    Returns:
    short name of the data Variable
  - getDataType
```
public DataType getDataType()
```
    Get the data type of the Variable.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getDataType in interface VariableIF
    
    Specified by:
    
    getDataType in interface VariableSimpleIF
    
    Returns:
    Variable's data type
  - getShape
```
public int[] getShape()
```
    Get the shape: length of Variable in each dimension.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getShape in interface VariableIF
    
    Specified by:
    
    getShape in interface VariableSimpleIF
    
    Returns:
    int array whose length is the rank of this Variable and whose values equal the length of that Dimension.
  - getShape
```
public int getShape(int index)
```
    Get the size of the ith dimension
    
    Parameters:
    index - which dimension
    
    Returns:
    size of the ith dimension
  - getSize
```
public long getSize()
```
    Get the total number of elements in the Variable. If this is an unlimited Variable, will use the current number of elements. If this is a Sequence, will return 1. If variable length, will skip vlen dimensions
    
    Specified by:
    
    getSize in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    total number of elements in the Variable.
  - getElementSize
```
public int getElementSize()
```
    Get the number of bytes for one element of this Variable. For Variables of primitive type, this is equal to getDataType().getSize(). Variables of String type dont know their size, so what they return is undefined. Variables of Structure type return the total number of bytes for all the members of one Structure, plus possibly some extra padding, depending on the underlying format. Variables of Sequence type return the number of bytes of one element.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getElementSize in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    total number of bytes for the Variable
  - getRank
```
public int getRank()
```
    Get the number of dimensions of the Variable.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getRank in interface VariableIF
    
    Specified by:
    
    getRank in interface VariableSimpleIF
    
    Returns:
    the rank
  - getParentGroup
```
public Group getParentGroup()
```
    Get the parent group.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getParentGroup in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    group of this variable; if null return rootgroup
  - isMetadata
```
public boolean isMetadata()
```
    Is this variable metadata?. True if its values need to be included explicitly in NcML output.
    
    Specified by:
    
    isMetadata in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    true if Variable values need to be included in NcML
  - isScalar
```
public boolean isScalar()
```
    Whether this is a scalar Variable (rank == 0).
    
    Specified by:
    
    isScalar in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    true if Variable has rank 0
  - isVariableLength
```
public boolean isVariableLength()
```
    Does this variable have a variable length dimension? If so, it has as one of its dimensions Dimension.VLEN.
    
    Specified by:
    
    isVariableLength in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    true if Variable has a variable length dimension?
  - isUnsigned
```
public boolean isUnsigned()
```
    Is this Variable unsigned?. Only meaningful for byte, short, int, long types. Looks for attribute "_Unsigned", case insensitive
    
    Specified by:
    
    isUnsigned in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    true if Variable is unsigned
  - isUnlimited
```
public boolean isUnlimited()
```
    Can this variable's size grow?. This is equivalent to saying at least one of its dimensions is unlimited.
    
    Specified by:
    
    isUnlimited in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    boolean true iff this variable can grow
  - getDimensions
```
public List<Dimension> getDimensions()
```
    Get the list of dimensions used by this variable. The most slowly varying (leftmost for Java and C programmers) dimension is first. For scalar variables, the list is empty.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getDimensions in interface VariableIF
    
    Specified by:
    
    getDimensions in interface VariableSimpleIF
    
    Returns:
    List, immutable
  - getDimension
```
public Dimension getDimension(int i)
```
    Get the ith dimension.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getDimension in interface VariableIF
    
    Parameters:
    i - index of the dimension.
    
    Returns:
    requested Dimension, or null if i is out of bounds.
  - getDimensionsString
```
public String getDimensionsString()
```
    Get the list of Dimension names, space delineated.
    
    Returns:
    Dimension names, space delineated
  - findDimensionIndex
```
public int findDimensionIndex(String name)
```
    Find the index of the named Dimension in this Variable.
    
    Specified by:
    
    findDimensionIndex in interface VariableIF
    
    Parameters:
    name - the name of the dimension
    
    Returns:
    the index of the named Dimension, or -1 if not found.
  - getAttributes
```
public List<Attribute> getAttributes()
```
    Returns the set of attributes for this variable.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getAttributes in interface VariableIF
    
    Specified by:
    
    getAttributes in interface VariableSimpleIF
    
    Returns:
    List, not a copy, but may be immutable
  - findAttribute
```
public Attribute findAttribute(String name)
```
    Find an Attribute by name.
    
    Specified by:
    
    findAttribute in interface VariableIF
    
    Parameters:
    name - the name of the attribute
    
    Returns:
    the attribute, or null if not found
  - findAttributeIgnoreCase
```
public Attribute findAttributeIgnoreCase(String name)
```
    Find an Attribute by name, ignoring the case.
    
    Specified by:
    
    findAttributeIgnoreCase in interface VariableIF
    
    Specified by:
    
    findAttributeIgnoreCase in interface VariableSimpleIF
    
    Parameters:
    name - the name of the attribute
    
    Returns:
    the attribute, or null if not found
  - getDescription
```
public String getDescription()
```
    Get the description of the Variable. Default is to use CDM.LONG_NAME attribute value. If not exist, look for "description", "title", or "standard_name" attribute value (in that order).
    
    Specified by:
    
    getDescription in interface VariableIF
    
    Specified by:
    
    getDescription in interface VariableSimpleIF
    
    Returns:
    description, or null if not found.
  - getUnitsString
```
public String getUnitsString()
```
    Get the Unit String for the Variable. Looks for the CDM.UNITS attribute value
    
    Specified by:
    
    getUnitsString in interface VariableIF
    
    Specified by:
    
    getUnitsString in interface VariableSimpleIF
    
    Returns:
    unit string, or null if not found.
  - getRanges
```
public List<Range> getRanges()
```
    Get shape as an List of Range objects. The List is immutable.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getRanges in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    List of Ranges, one for each Dimension.
  - getShapeAsSection
```
public Section getShapeAsSection()
```
    Get shape as a Section object.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getShapeAsSection in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    Section containing List, one for each Dimension.
  - getProxyReader
```
public ProxyReader getProxyReader()
```
  - setProxyReader
```
public void setProxyReader(ProxyReader proxyReader)
```
  - section
```
public Variable section(List<Range> ranges)
                 throws InvalidRangeException
```
    Create a new Variable that is a logical subsection of this Variable. No data is read until a read method is called on it.
    
    Specified by:
    
    section in interface VariableIF
    
    Parameters:
    ranges - List of type ucar.ma2.Range, with size equal to getRank(). Each Range corresponds to a Dimension, and specifies the section of data to read in that Dimension. A Range object may be null, which means use the entire dimension.
    
    Returns:
    a new Variable which is a logical section of this Variable.
    
    Throws:
    
    InvalidRangeException
  - section
```
public Variable section(Section subsection)
                 throws InvalidRangeException
```
    Create a new Variable that is a logical subsection of this Variable. No data is read until a read method is called on it.
    
    Parameters:
    subsection - Section of this variable. Each Range in the section corresponds to a Dimension, and specifies the section of data to read in that Dimension. A Range object may be null, which means use the entire dimension.
    
    Returns:
    a new Variable which is a logical section of this Variable.
    
    Throws:
    
    InvalidRangeException - if section not compatible with shape
  - slice
```
public Variable slice(int dim,
             int value)
               throws InvalidRangeException
```
    Create a new Variable that is a logical slice of this Variable, by fixing the specified dimension at the specified index value. This reduces rank by 1. No data is read until a read method is called on it.
    
    Parameters:
    dim - which dimension to fix
    value - at what index value
    
    Returns:
    a new Variable which is a logical slice of this Variable.
    
    Throws:
    
    InvalidRangeException - if dimension or value is illegal
  - copy
```
protected Variable copy()
```
  - lookupEnumString
```
public String lookupEnumString(int val)
```
    Lookup the enum string for this value. Can only be called on enum types, where dataType.isEnum() is true.
    
    Parameters:
    val - the integer value of this enum
    
    Returns:
    the String value
  - setEnumTypedef
```
public void setEnumTypedef(EnumTypedef enumTypedef)
```
    Public by accident.
    
    Parameters:
    enumTypedef - set the EnumTypedef, only use if getDataType.isEnum()
  - getEnumTypedef
```
public EnumTypedef getEnumTypedef()
```
  - read
```
public Array read(int[] origin,
         int[] shape)
           throws IOException,
                  InvalidRangeException
```
    Read a section of the data for this Variable and return a memory resident Array. The Array has the same element type as the Variable, and the requested shape. Note that this does not do rank reduction, so the returned Array has the same rank as the Variable. Use Array.reduce() for rank reduction.
    assert(origin[ii] + shape[ii]*stride[ii] <= Variable.shape[ii]);
    
    Specified by:
    
    read in interface VariableIF
    
    Parameters:
    origin - int array specifying the starting index. If null, assume all zeroes.
    shape - int array specifying the extents in each dimension. This becomes the shape of the returned Array.
    
    Returns:
    the requested data in a memory-resident Array
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException
    
    InvalidRangeException
  - read
```
public Array read(String sectionSpec)
           throws IOException,
                  InvalidRangeException
```
    Read data section specified by a "section selector", and return a memory resident Array. Uses Fortran 90 array section syntax.
    
    Specified by:
    
    read in interface VariableIF
    
    Parameters:
    sectionSpec - specification string, eg "1:2,10,:,1:100:10". May optionally have ().
    
    Returns:
    the requested data in a memory-resident Array
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException
    
    InvalidRangeException
    See Also:
    for sectionSpec syntax
  - read
```
public Array read(List<Range> ranges)
           throws IOException,
                  InvalidRangeException
```
    Read a section of the data for this Variable from the netcdf file and return a memory resident Array.
    
    Parameters:
    ranges - list of Range specifying the section of data to read.
    
    Returns:
    the requested data in a memory-resident Array
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException - if error
    
    InvalidRangeException - if ranges is invalid
    See Also:
    read(Section)
  - read
```
public Array read(Section section)
           throws IOException,
                  InvalidRangeException
```
    Read a section of the data for this Variable from the netcdf file and return a memory resident Array. The Array has the same element type as the Variable, and the requested shape. Note that this does not do rank reduction, so the returned Array has the same rank as the Variable. Use Array.reduce() for rank reduction.
    If the Variable is a member of an array of Structures, this returns only the variable's data in the first Structure, so that the Array shape is the same as the Variable. To read the data in all structures, use readAllStructures().
    Note this only allows you to specify a subset of this variable. If the variable is nested in a array of structures and you want to subset that, use NetcdfFile.read(String sectionSpec, boolean flatten);
    
    Specified by:
    
    read in interface VariableIF
    
    Parameters:
    section - list of Range specifying the section of data to read. Must be null or same rank as variable. If list is null, assume all data. Each Range corresponds to a Dimension. If the Range object is null, it means use the entire dimension.
    
    Returns:
    the requested data in a memory-resident Array
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException - if error
    
    InvalidRangeException - if section is invalid
  - read
```
public Array read()
           throws IOException
```
    Read all the data for this Variable and return a memory resident Array. The Array has the same element type and shape as the Variable.
    If the Variable is a member of an array of Structures, this returns only the variable's data in the first Structure, so that the Array shape is the same as the Variable. To read the data in all structures, use readAllStructures().
    
    Specified by:
    
    read in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    the requested data in a memory-resident Array.
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException
  - readScalarByte
```
public byte readScalarByte()
                    throws IOException
```
    Get the value as a byte for a scalar Variable. May also be one-dimensional of length 1.
    
    Specified by:
    
    readScalarByte in interface VariableIF
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException - if theres an IO Error
    
    UnsupportedOperationException - if not a scalar Variable or one-dimensional of length 1.
    
    ForbiddenConversionException - if data type not convertible to byte
  - readScalarShort
```
public short readScalarShort()
                      throws IOException
```
    Get the value as a short for a scalar Variable. May also be one-dimensional of length 1.
    
    Specified by:
    
    readScalarShort in interface VariableIF
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException - if theres an IO Error
    
    UnsupportedOperationException - if not a scalar Variable or one-dimensional of length 1.
    
    ForbiddenConversionException - if data type not convertible to short
  - readScalarInt
```
public int readScalarInt()
                  throws IOException
```
    Get the value as a int for a scalar Variable. May also be one-dimensional of length 1.
    
    Specified by:
    
    readScalarInt in interface VariableIF
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException - if theres an IO Error
    
    UnsupportedOperationException - if not a scalar Variable or one-dimensional of length 1.
    
    ForbiddenConversionException - if data type not convertible to int
  - readScalarLong
```
public long readScalarLong()
                    throws IOException
```
    Get the value as a long for a scalar Variable. May also be one-dimensional of length 1.
    
    Specified by:
    
    readScalarLong in interface VariableIF
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException - if theres an IO Error
    
    UnsupportedOperationException - if not a scalar Variable
    
    ForbiddenConversionException - if data type not convertible to long
  - readScalarFloat
```
public float readScalarFloat()
                      throws IOException
```
    Get the value as a float for a scalar Variable. May also be one-dimensional of length 1.
    
    Specified by:
    
    readScalarFloat in interface VariableIF
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException - if theres an IO Error
    
    UnsupportedOperationException - if not a scalar Variable or one-dimensional of length 1.
    
    ForbiddenConversionException - if data type not convertible to float
  - readScalarDouble
```
public double readScalarDouble()
                        throws IOException
```
    Get the value as a double for a scalar Variable. May also be one-dimensional of length 1.
    
    Specified by:
    
    readScalarDouble in interface VariableIF
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException - if theres an IO Error
    
    UnsupportedOperationException - if not a scalar Variable or one-dimensional of length 1.
    
    ForbiddenConversionException - if data type not convertible to double
  - readScalarString
```
public String readScalarString()
                        throws IOException
```
    Get the value as a String for a scalar Variable. May also be one-dimensional of length 1. May also be one-dimensional of type CHAR, which wil be turned into a scalar String.
    
    Specified by:
    
    readScalarString in interface VariableIF
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException - if theres an IO Error
    
    UnsupportedOperationException - if not a scalar or one-dimensional.
    
    ClassCastException - if data type not DataType.STRING or DataType.CHAR.
  - getScalarData
```
protected Array getScalarData()
                       throws IOException
```
    Throws:
    
    IOException
  - _read
```
protected Array _read()
               throws IOException
```
    Throws:
    
    IOException
  - reallyRead
```
public Array reallyRead(Variable client,
               CancelTask cancelTask)
                 throws IOException
```
    public by accident, do not call directly.
    
    Specified by:
    
    reallyRead in interface ProxyReader
    
    Parameters:
    client - the client Variable
    cancelTask - user may cancel
    
    Returns:
    Array
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException - on error
  - _read
```
protected Array _read(Section section)
               throws IOException,
                      InvalidRangeException
```
    Throws:
    
    IOException
    
    InvalidRangeException
  - reallyRead
```
public Array reallyRead(Variable client,
               Section section,
               CancelTask cancelTask)
                 throws IOException,
                        InvalidRangeException
```
    public by accident, do not call directly.
    
    Specified by:
    
    reallyRead in interface ProxyReader
    
    Parameters:
    client - the client Variable
    section - the section of data to read.
    cancelTask - user may cancel
    
    Returns:
    Array
    
    Throws:
    
    IOException - on error
    
    InvalidRangeException - if section has incorrect rank or illegal shape.
  - readToByteChannel
```
public long readToByteChannel(Section section,
                     WritableByteChannel wbc)
                       throws IOException,
                              InvalidRangeException
```
    Throws:
    
    IOException
    
    InvalidRangeException
  - getNameAndDimensions
```
public String getNameAndDimensions()
```
    Get the display name plus the dimensions, eg 'float name(dim1, dim2)'
    
    Returns:
    display name plus the dimensions
  - getNameAndDimensions
```
public String getNameAndDimensions(boolean strict)
```
    Get the display name plus the dimensions, eg 'float name(dim1, dim2)'
    
    Parameters:
    strict - strictly comply with ncgen syntax, with name escaping. otherwise, get extra info, no escaping
    
    Returns:
    display name plus the dimensions
  - getNameAndDimensions
```
public void getNameAndDimensions(StringBuilder buf)
```
    Get the display name plus the dimensions, eg 'name(dim1, dim2)'
    
    Parameters:
    buf - add info to this StringBuilder
  - getNameAndDimensions
```
public void getNameAndDimensions(StringBuffer buf)
```
    Deprecated. use getNameAndDimensions(StringBuilder buf)
    
    Get the display name plus the dimensions, eg 'name(dim1, dim2)'
    
    Parameters:
    buf - add info to this StringBuffer
  - getNameAndDimensions
```
public void getNameAndDimensions(StringBuilder buf,
                        boolean useFullName,
                        boolean strict)
```
    Add display name plus the dimensions to the StringBuffer
    
    Parameters:
    buf - add info to this
    useFullName - use full name else short name. strict = true implies short name
    strict - strictly comply with ncgen syntax, with name escaping. otherwise, get extra info, no escaping
  - getNameAndDimensions
```
public void getNameAndDimensions(Formatter buf,
                        boolean useFullName,
                        boolean strict)
```
    Add display name plus the dimensions to the StringBuffer
    
    Specified by:
    
    getNameAndDimensions in interface VariableIF
    
    Parameters:
    buf - add info to this
    useFullName - use full name else short name. strict = true implies short name
    strict - strictly comply with ncgen syntax, with name escaping. otherwise, get extra info, no escaping
  - toString
```
public String toString()
```
    CDL representation of Variable, not strict.
    
    Overrides:
    
    toString in class Object
  - writeCDL
```
public String writeCDL(String indent,
              boolean useFullName,
              boolean strict)
```
    CDL representation of a Variable.
    
    Parameters:
    indent - start each line with this much space
    useFullName - use full name, else use short name
    strict - strictly comply with ncgen syntax
    
    Returns:
    CDL representation of the Variable.
  - writeCDL
```
protected void writeCDL(Formatter buf,
            String indent,
            boolean useFullName,
            boolean strict)
```
  - toStringDebug
```
public String toStringDebug()
```
    String representation of Variable and its attributes.
    
    Specified by:
    
    toStringDebug in interface VariableIF
  - extraInfo
```
protected String extraInfo()
```
  - equals
```
public boolean equals(Object oo)
```
    Instances which have same content are equal.
    
    Overrides:
    
    equals in class Object
  - hashCode
```
public int hashCode()
```
    Override Object.hashCode() to implement equals.
    
    Overrides:
    
    hashCode in class Object
  - compareTo
```
public int compareTo(VariableSimpleIF o)
```
    Sort by name
    
    Specified by:
    
    compareTo in interface Comparable<VariableSimpleIF>
  - setDataType
```
public void setDataType(DataType dataType)
```
    Set the data type
    
    Parameters:
    dataType - set to this value
  - setName
```
public String setName(String shortName)
```
    Set the short name, converting to valid CDM object name if needed.
    
    Parameters:
    shortName - set to this value
    
    Returns:
    valid CDM object name
  - setParentGroup
```
public void setParentGroup(Group group)
```
    Set the parent group.
    
    Parameters:
    group - set to this value
  - setElementSize
```
public void setElementSize(int elementSize)
```
    Set the element size. Usually elementSize is determined by the dataType, use this only for exceptional cases.
    
    Parameters:
    elementSize - set to this value
  - addAttribute
```
public Attribute addAttribute(Attribute att)
```
    Add new or replace old if has same name
    
    Parameters:
    att - add this Attribute
    
    Returns:
    the added attribute
  - remove
```
public boolean remove(Attribute a)
```
    Remove an Attribute : uses the attribute hashCode to find it.
    
    Parameters:
    a - remove this attribute
    
    Returns:
    true if was found and removed
  - removeAttribute
```
public boolean removeAttribute(String attName)
```
    Remove an Attribute by name.
    
    Parameters:
    attName - if exists, remove this attribute
    
    Returns:
    true if was found and removed
  - removeAttributeIgnoreCase
```
public boolean removeAttributeIgnoreCase(String attName)
```
    Remove an Attribute by name, ignoring case
    
    Parameters:
    attName - if exists, remove this attribute
    
    Returns:
    true if was found and removed
  - setDimensions
```
public void setDimensions(List<Dimension> dims)
```
    Set the shape with a list of Dimensions. The Dimensions may be shared or not. Dimensions are in order, slowest varying first. Send a null for a scalar. Technically you can use Dimensions from any group; pragmatically you should only use Dimensions contained in the Variable's parent groups.
    
    Parameters:
    dims - list of type ucar.nc2.Dimension
  - resetShape
```
public void resetShape()
```
    Use when dimensions have changed, to recalculate the shape.
  - setDimensions
```
public void setDimensions(String dimString)
```
    Set the dimensions using the dimensions names. The dimension is searched for recursively in the parent groups.
    
    Parameters:
    dimString - : whitespace seperated list of dimension names, or '*' for Dimension.UNKNOWN. null or empty String is a scalar.
  - resetDimensions
```
public void resetDimensions()
```
    Reset the dimension array. Anonymous dimensions are left alone. Shared dimensions are searched for recursively in the parent groups.
  - setDimensionsAnonymous
```
public void setDimensionsAnonymous(int[] shape)
                            throws InvalidRangeException
```
    Set the dimensions using all anonymous (unshared) dimensions
    
    Parameters:
    shape - defines the dimension lengths. must be > 0, or -1 for VLEN
    
    Throws:
    
    InvalidRangeException - if any shape < 1
  - setIsScalar
```
public void setIsScalar()
```
    Set this Variable to be a scalar
  - setDimension
```
public void setDimension(int idx,
                Dimension dim)
```
    Replace a dimension with an equivalent one.
    
    Parameters:
    idx - index into dimension array
    dim - to set
  - setImmutable
```
public Variable setImmutable()
```
    Make this immutable.
    
    Returns:
    this
  - isImmutable
```
public boolean isImmutable()
```
    Is this Variable immutable
    
    Returns:
    if immutable
  - getSPobject
```
public Object getSPobject()
```
    Should not be public.
    
    Returns:
    the IOSP object
  - setSPobject
```
public void setSPobject(Object spiObject)
```
    Should not be public.
    
    Parameters:
    spiObject - the IOSP object
  - getSizeToCache
```
public int getSizeToCache()
```
    If total data size is less than SizeToCache in bytes, then cache.
    
    Returns:
    size at which caching happens
  - setSizeToCache
```
public void setSizeToCache(int sizeToCache)
```
    Set the sizeToCache. If not set, use defaults
    
    Parameters:
    sizeToCache - size at which caching happens. < 0 means use defaults
  - setCaching
```
public void setCaching(boolean caching)
```
    Set whether to cache or not. Implies that the entire array will be stored, once read. Normally this is set automatically based on size of data.
    
    Parameters:
    caching - set if caching.
  - isCaching
```
public boolean isCaching()
```
    Will this Variable be cached when read. Set externally, or calculated based on total size < sizeToCache.
    
    Returns:
    true is caching
  - invalidateCache
```
public void invalidateCache()
```
    Invalidate the data cache
  - setCachedData
```
public void setCachedData(Array cacheData)
```
  - setCachedData
```
public void setCachedData(Array cacheData,
                 boolean isMetadata)
```
    Set the data cache
    
    Parameters:
    cacheData - cache this Array
    isMetadata - : synthesized data, set true if must be saved in NcML output (ie data not actually in the file).
  - createNewCache
```
public void createNewCache()
```
    Create a new data cache, use this when you dont want to share the cache.
  - hasCachedData
```
public boolean hasCachedData()
```
    Has data been read and cached. Use only on a Variable, not a subclass.
    
    Returns:
    true if data is read and cached
  - setValues
```
public void setValues(int npts,
             double start,
             double incr)
```
    Generate the list of values from a starting value and an increment. Will reshape to variable if needed.
    
    Parameters:
    npts - number of values, must = v.getSize()
    start - starting value
    incr - increment
  - setValues
```
public void setValues(List<String> values)
               throws IllegalArgumentException
```
    Set the data values from a list of Strings.
    
    Parameters:
    values - list of Strings
    
    Throws:
    
    IllegalArgumentException - if values array not correct size, or values wont parse to the correct type
  - isMemberOfStructure
```
public boolean isMemberOfStructure()
```
    Is this variable a member of a Structure?.
    
    Specified by:
    
    isMemberOfStructure in interface VariableIF
  - getParentStructure
```
public Structure getParentStructure()
```
    Get the parent Variable if this is a member of a Structure, or null if its not.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getParentStructure in interface VariableIF
  - setParentStructure
```
public void setParentStructure(Structure parent)
```
    Set the parent structure.
    
    Parameters:
    parent - set to this value
  - getDimensionsAll
```
public List<Dimension> getDimensionsAll()
```
    Get list of Dimensions, including parents if any.
    
    Specified by:
    
    getDimensionsAll in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    array of Dimension, rank of v plus all parents.
  - getShapeAll
```
public int[] getShapeAll()
```
  - isCoordinateVariable
```
public boolean isCoordinateVariable()
```
    Calculate if this is a classic coordinate variable: has same name as its first dimension. If type char, must be 2D, else must be 1D.
    
    Specified by:
    
    isCoordinateVariable in interface VariableIF
    
    Returns:
    true if a coordinate variable.
  - clone
```
public Object clone()
             throws CloneNotSupportedException
```
    Overrides:
    
    clone in class Object
    
    Throws:
    
    CloneNotSupportedException
  - isUnknownLength
```
public boolean isUnknownLength()
```
    Deprecated. use isVariableLength()
    
    Returns:
    isVariableLength()

Class Variable

Nested Class Summary

Field Summary

Constructor Summary

Method Summary

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

Field Detail

defaultSizeToCache

defaultCoordsSizeToCache

debugCaching

ncfile

group

shortName

shape

shapeAsSection

dataType

elementSize

dimensions

attributes

isVariableLength

isMetadata

cache

sizeToCache

parent

proxyReader

hashCode

spiObject

Constructor Detail

Variable

Variable

Variable

Variable

Method Detail

getDAPName

getDAPName

getName

getFullName

getFullNameEscaped

getShortName

getDataType

getShape

getShape

getSize

getElementSize

getRank

getParentGroup

isMetadata

isScalar

isVariableLength

isUnsigned

isUnlimited

getDimensions

getDimension

getDimensionsString

findDimensionIndex

getAttributes

findAttribute

findAttributeIgnoreCase

getDescription

getUnitsString

getRanges

getShapeAsSection

getProxyReader

setProxyReader

section

section

slice

copy

lookupEnumString

setEnumTypedef

getEnumTypedef

read

read

read

read

read

readScalarByte

readScalarShort

readScalarInt

readScalarLong