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Using Multi-file netCDF descriptors under Linux

Question:

Why won't my multi-file netCDF descriptors work when running Ferret
under the Linux operating system?

Example:

> ferret_v500beta1.1 
        NOAA/PMEL TMAP
        Program FERRET (V500beta1.1)
        Version 5.00 - 06/03/99
        21-Mar-00 11:34     
yes? set data coads_clim_irreg
 **TMAP ERR: Error in namelist record
             Error in: FORMAT_RECORD; or file not descriptor file
             Data set: /home/kobrien/fer_dsets/descr/coads_clim_irreg.des

Explanation:

This error occurs because the descriptor was formatted for Fortran 77 namelist reads, but the Linux version of Ferret was compiled using Fortran 90. Since Fortran 90 has a different format for namelist reads, the descriptor fails.

Solution:

The solution is to linuxize, or Fortran 90ize, the descriptors. Here is a script file which attempts to linuxize Fortran 77 style descriptors. It is possible that the linuxize_descriptor file will not fix some custom created descriptors. In that case the script will have to be modified to deal with custom additions, but it should be a good start.