Skip to main content

Converting to OPeNDAP


Typically, a data access application's data access API connects directly to a dataset of a particular format. The application expects to find its data in a local file or data dictionary, and expects it in a particularformat:

Pre-DODS Client Architecture

The same application, when relinked with OPeNDAP, can access datasets across the Internet. The application still receives data in its expected format, even if the datasets it samples is stored in another format. The application retains its local data access capabilities:

OPeNDAP Client Architecture


Steps in converting to use OPeNDAP software

To convert an application to read from a DAP server, you must:

  1. Make sure that the application can read data using the netCDF API. (Note: we hope to support other APIs in the future.)


  2. Obtain the appropriate OPeNDAP libraries and server code


  3. Relink the application with the OPeNDAP libraries (explained in the User's Guide)


  4. Have your colleagues in the remote location set up a OPeNDAP server (explained in the User's Guide)