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netCDF is a widely used format to exchange array-oriented scientific data such as grids and time-series. netCDF-LD describes a convention for encoding netCDF based on Linked Data principles allowing for metadata elements, given as string values in current netCDF files, to be given as Linked Data objects. This enables netCDF data to be annotated with precise semantics to be used for elements and reference external resources.

The netCDF working group is developing syntax and tools that allow different vocabularies and schemas to compliment each other, so that data authors can combine conventions without a confusing and possibly conflicting mix of namings and interpretations.

netCDF-LD aims to offer a way for people to: a) Easily link up their netCDF data to other netCDF data (files or collections); b) Easily link to related information not captured in netCDF, like spatial information, science definitions, and potentially related data streams such as news feeds.

Unlike current approaches where these are done manually, are time consuming, done in an inconsistent manner, or not done at all, netCDF-LD aims to develop simple methods and tools to automate these linkages using the Web and Linked Data approaches. This work has already been shown valuable for other formats like JSON and CSV (e.g., JSON-LD and CSVW).