User:Markf129/Earth sciences data format interoperability: Difference between revisions
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| date = November 3, 2003
| url = http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/73229.pdf
}}</ref>. A [[file format]] defines how data is encoded for storage using a defined structure such as: chunk, directory based, or unstructured. Usually the file format is easily identified by the file name extension (e.g. .jpg, .bufr). Thus, the data model describes how the data is organized, and the file format how the data is stored. Furthermore, conventions are used to describe what data types, formats, and design principles are applied for a given data model and/or format (e.g. [[Climate and Forecast Metadata Conventions]]). By identifying these three elements, data can be accurately described.
Data models contain datasets such as dimensions, variables, types, and attributes. Some models have the ability to even logically put these sets into groups. These components can be used together to capture the meaning of data and relations among data fields in an array-oriented dataset. In contrast to variables, which are intended for bulk data, attributes are intended for ancillary data, or information about the data<ref>{{cite article
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}}</ref>. Another difference between attributes and variables is that variables may be multidimensional. Attributes are all either scalars (single-valued) or vectors (a single, fixed dimension).
Interoperability requires that each dataset representation is understood at the core level for each model, so their relationships can be understood. In some cases, models may be inter-compatible simply due to a similar dataset.
===Data Model Representations===
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