.CDF File Extension

Computable Document Format File

Developer	Wolfram Research
Popularity	Average rating 3.9 / 5. Vote count: 55
Category	Page Layout Files
Format	.CDF
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an CDF file?

.CDF files are structured data files used to store and organize various types of data, commonly employed in scientific and research fields for storing experimental or observational data.

More Information.

Initially designed for space and scientific data, .CDF files aimed to provide a platform-independent and self-describing format, ensuring data integrity and portability across different systems and applications.

Origin Of This File.

The .CDF file format was developed by the NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive (NSSDCA) to facilitate the exchange and manipulation of data across different platforms and programming languages.

It was initially created in the late 1980s to standardize data storage across diverse scientific missions.

File Structure Technical Specification.

Structure: .CDF files follow a hierarchical structure comprising variables, attributes, and metadata. They are based on the network Common Data Form (NetCDF) and utilize self-describing headers for information storage.

Technical Specifications: .CDF files use binary encoding and adhere to a specific format defined by the NetCDF standards.

How to Convert the File?

Windows:

Using Panoply:

Download and install Panoply, a cross-platform application for visualizing and converting scientific data files.
Open Panoply and go to File > Open to select your .CDF file.
Once the file is loaded, go to File > Export As to choose the desired format for conversion (e.g., CSV, HDF, NetCDF).

Using MATLAB:

Launch MATLAB and use the ncread function to read the .CDF file.
Manipulate the data as needed.
Use the ncwrite or ncwriteschema functions to write the data to a different format like NetCDF or other supported formats.

Linux:

Using NetCDF Operators (NCO):

Install NCO using your distribution’s package manager (e.g., sudo apt install nco for Debian-based systems).
Use commands like ncdump, ncap2, or ncks to convert .CDF files to other formats like CSV, NetCDF, etc.

Using CDO (Climate Data Operators):

Install CDO using your package manager (e.g., sudo apt install cdo).
Employ commands like cdo with options to convert .CDF files to various formats (e.g., cdo -f nc copy input_file.cdf output_file.nc).

Mac:

Using Panoply or MATLAB: Follow the same steps as outlined for Windows, using either Panoply or MATLAB for .CDF file conversion on a Mac system.

Android & iOS:

Native apps for converting .CDF files might be limited on mobile platforms. Consider using online converters or specialized applications available on app stores. Ensure the app supports .CDF file conversion to your desired format before use.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantages:

Cross-platform compatibility
Compact file size
Support for large datasets
Hierarchical structure for easy data organization

Disadvantages:

Limited support in some applications
Complex for inexperienced users to manipulate directly

How to Open CDF?

Open In Windows

Panoply: Download and install Panoply, a cross-platform application for visualizing and working with scientific data files. Open Panoply, then use File > Open to select and view your .CDF file.

Open In Linux

NetCDF Operators (NCO): Install NCO using your package manager (e.g., sudo apt install nco). Use terminal commands like ncdump or ncks to view the contents of .CDF files. For instance, ncdump -h filename.cdf displays file metadata.
Panoply: Similar to Windows, you can use Panoply on Linux for data visualization and analysis.

Open In MAC

Panoply: Install Panoply on your Mac and use it to open and explore .CDF files by selecting File > Open.
MATLAB: MATLAB is also available for Mac and supports .CDF file handling. Use MATLAB functions like ncread to read and analyze the contents of .CDF files.

Open In Android

CDF Viewer: Look for apps like CDF Viewer on the Google Play Store. These apps can help you view .CDF files on your Android device.

Open In IOS

CDF Viewer: Search for apps like CDF Viewer on the App Store for iOS devices. These apps can assist in opening and viewing .CDF files on your iPhone or iPad.

Open in Others

For other operating systems or specific software environments not covered above, consider using multi-platform tools like Panoply, which is available across various operating systems, or explore specific scientific data analysis software compatible with the .CDF format.