The Distributed Oceanographic Data System (DODS) makes remote, scientific data accessible through a number of familiar data analysis and visualization packages. There are two sides to DODS. The first, making data visible to others, involves setting up a DODS data server. Data servers are available for netCDF, HDF, JGOFS, and Matlab data. Servers for other data formats are being developed.
The second side of DODS is to give the users data analysis and visualization package the ability to access data served by DODS servers. Once the application is DODS enabled, data from any DODS server can be accessed regardless of the format in which the data are actually stored. If either Matlab or IDL is available, the respective GUI program that comes with DODS can be used. Several common APIs (e.g., the netCDF API) also come with DODS. Applications that use these APIs can be DODS enabled by relinking them to the DODS libraries. New DODS GUIs and API libraries are being developed.
DODS was first developed by a joint collaboration between the University of Rhode Island and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The scope of DODS has been broadened recently with grants from NASA, NSF and NOAA. The collaborators include URI, MIT, JPL/PO-DAAC, NOAA/PMEL, NCAR/HAO, UCAR/Unidata, AGU, GSFC/GCMD, OSU, U. Miami, Scripps, and U. Hawaii. User support is being handled by Unidata. For more information, see the DODS web page at www.unidata.ucar.edu/packages/dods/ or send questions to support@unidata.ucar.edu.