Data Formats

ISDM can provide drifting buoy data in four different formats.  Below are descriptions of these formats and a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages associated with each one of them.

• Comma Separated Value (CSV) - Example
  CSV is the most user friendly of all four because it can be opened in Excel and read right away.  Each file will contain a maximum of 60,000 records.  This format only holds core information such as position, date, time and observations (which is generally what people want). The disadvantage of this format is that it can only hold surface data.  For example, if a buoy reports a temperature profile (many depths), only the surface observation will appear in the record.  Other data excluded in this format is information such as  GTS information and history records.
• NODC ascii - Example
  This formats includes all the information stored in ISDM's database.  Using this format is not as straight forward as the CSV format and requires more time to understand.  In order to make it as easy as possible to the user, we provide a full description of the format and a sample Fortran program to read it.  NODC ascii format info
• 80 Character Card - Example
  This format also includes all the information stored in ISDM's database.   See our documentation which will help in decoding the format.
• GF3 - Example
  This format comprises most of the information stored in our database including profiles.  The GF3 format was designed for magnetic tapes and was used extensively  in the past.  Today, it is rarely used but we still offer it to anybody who requests it and offer assistance in reading this format if needed. For a description of the GF3 format, go to the ICES web site: http://www.ices.dk/ocean/formats/gf3.htm.

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