f_dump_classic_metadata.f90 File Reference

Read a NetCDF file and print all metadata (Fortran) More...

Functions/Subroutines
program	f_dump_classic_metadata
character(len=10) function	type_name (xtype)

Detailed Description

Read a NetCDF file and print all metadata (Fortran)

This example demonstrates how to use the NetCDF Fortran inquiry functions to discover and print all metadata in a NetCDF file without prior knowledge of its contents. It reads a filename from the command line, opens the file, and prints:

• All dimensions (name and length, noting unlimited dimensions)
• All global attributes (name, type, and value)
• All variables (name, type, dimensions, and attributes)

This is a useful pattern for building tools that inspect arbitrary NetCDF files.

Learning Objectives:

• Use nf90_inquire() to discover file structure
• Iterate over dimensions with nf90_inquire_dimension()
• Iterate over variables with nf90_inquire_variable()
• Iterate over attributes with nf90_inq_attname() and nf90_inquire_attribute()
• Read attribute values of different types
• Handle unlimited dimensions
• Accept command-line arguments in Fortran

Prerequisites: Basic Fortran programming, familiarity with NetCDF concepts

Compilation:

gfortran -o f_dump_classic_metadata f_dump_classic_metadata.f90 -lnetcdff -lnetcdf

Usage:

./f_dump_classic_metadata f_coord_vars.nc

Author

Edward Hartnett, Intelligent Data Design, Inc.

Date

2026

Function/Subroutine Documentation

f_dump_classic_metadata()

program f_dump_classic_metadata

type_name()

character(len=10) function f_dump_classic_metadata::type_name

(

integer, intent(in)

xtype

)