Using CDAT for model development and analysis of large data sets (invited)

Climate modelers have a wide variety of tools to choose from for their data analysis. In this talk, some of the advantages and novel uses of one choice - the open-source Climate Data Analysis Tools (CDAT) created by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory - are explored. A main focus will be CDAT's unique features developed for handling and visualizing the extremely large data sets contained in Lawrence Livermore's Coupled Model Intercomparison Project archive. Additional emphasis will be placed on the use of hybrid CDAT/fortran programming for testing and debugging individual components of climate models, thereby speeding up model development. Toolbox features will be illustrated using example graphics and code.