NetCDF Data Modes

There are two modes associated with accessing a netCDF file: define mode and data mode. In define mode, dimensions, variables, and new attributes can be created but variable data cannot be read or written. In data mode, data can be read or written and attributes can be changed, but new dimensions, variables, and attributes cannot be created.

IDL's NCDF_CONTROL routine can be used control the mode of a netCDF file. The only time it is not necessary to set the mode with NCDF_CONTROL is when using the NCDF_CREATE procedure to create a new file. NCDF_CREATE places the new netCDF file into define mode automatically.