[esip-semanticweb] some sample rules for ToolMatch rules

[Lynnes, Christopher S. (GSFC-6102)]

Here are some sample rules, in pseudo-English, that describe some of the relationships.  Note that there are almost always some exceptions, usually due to bugs in tool or server code, or edge cases of data structures that technically meet conventions, but stretch them to the breaking point.

BTW, here is the wiki page for ToolMatch:  http://wiki.esipfed.org/index.php/ToolMatch

Feel free to suggest your own rules!

If a data product 
o  is netCDF OR is available via OPeNDAP
o  follows CF-1 conventions for coordinates
o  is on a regular lat/lon grid OR contains auxiliary coordinates for a lat/lon grid
Then the following tools can visualize it on a map:
o  Panoply
o  IDV
o  McIDAS-V

If a data product 
o  is netCDF OR is available via OPeNDAP
o  follows CF-1 conventions for coordinates
o  is on a regular lat/lon grid
Then the following tools can visualize it on a map:
o  GrADS
o  Ferret

If a data product 
o  is netCDF OR is available via OPeNDAP
o  follows CF-1 conventions for coordinates
o  is on a regular lat/lon grid
Then the following tools can visualize it on a map:
o  GrADS
o  Ferret

If a data product 
o  is netCDF OR is available via OPeNDAP
o  follows CF-1 conventions for coordinates
o  contains auxiliary coordinates for a lat/lon grid
Then the Ferret can visualize it as a grid.

If a data product is offered through:
o  Hyrax
o  THREDDS Data Server
o  GrADS Data Server
o  erddap
Then it is available through OPeNDAP

There are exceptions to these rules of course:  data products that contain variables over 15 characters, or more than one vertical dimension, are problematic for GrADS, requiring significant extra work (control/XDF files vs. use of the sdfopen command).  Also, the rules for HDF4 and HDF5 are more complicated, but would look similar to these.

Is this enough to start with?

BTW, are we still on for tomorrow afternoon? I have another telecon earlier in the day.  Assuming I lose power, my cell phone may or may not last through the second one...
--
Chris Lynnes