How to define a dataset

Introduction

A dataset is a collection of data. In the context of ADC it is not important whether the dataset is stored in relational databases or as physical files. Typically a dataset represent a number of variables in time and space. In order to best serve the data through the web services developed the following guidance exist for datasets within ADC:

  1. A dataset can be a collection of variables stored in a relational database or flat files (e.g. NetCDF/CF).
  2. A dataset is defined as a number of spatial and/or temporal variables.
  3. A dataset should be defined by the information content and not the production method.

Some examples

For gridded data (e.g. numerical simulations or remote sensing products), FIXME