The purpose of the Network Common Data Form (netCDF) interface is to support the creation, efficient access, and sharing of data in a form that is self-describing, portable, compact, extendable, and archivable. Version 3 of netCDF is widely used in atmospheric and ocean sciences due to its simplicity. NetCDF version 4 has been designed to address limitations of netCDF version 3 while preserving useful forms of compatibility with existing application software and data archives.

Recently netCDF version 4 has been available in test form for evaluation of its data model, new features, and performance. We summarize early experience with netCDF-4, identify issues encountered by users, and make recommendations for data providers and developers of data access, analysis, and visualization software who may be considering use of netCDF in future archives or applications.