Sorry to not look deeper and see if this is well specified in the docs already, but...
integer or byte variables that are to be interpreted as unsigned must > have the attribute _Unsigned = "true". > What does "interpreted as unsigned" mean? Options off the top of my head: A) They are used in the same way, but negative values are invalid. B) The actual bits in the data type are actually in the unsigned form, and should be cast to an unsigned type to get the right values. The different, is, for instance, that a 1-byte truly unsigned int can hold values from 0 to 255, whereas a signed byte int can hold values from -127 to 127. if (A), then it doesn't matter much, really, data readers will simply read the values, and they won't hold any negative values, they really don't need to do anything special when reading manipulating or displaying the data. if (B), the data readers need to be very careful to do the right thing. -CHB > On Fri, Sep 22, 2017 at 1:10 AM, Chris Barker <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> LGTM. >> >> "One byte numeric data should be stored using the byte >>> >> or unsigned byte data type." >>> >> >> >>> It too is copied from CF 1.7, and I think its intent was to tell >>> people to store 1-byte numeric data as type byte not type char. >>> With that rationale, if the sentence was in 1.7 then >>> it should probably be in 1.8, >> >> >> yup --it's clear to me, and not annoyingly redundant. >> >> The truth is that char type IS used a lot on old C code for numeric data. >> >> -CHB >> >> >> >>> although I'll go with >>> the consensus. >>> >>> -- >>> Charlie Zender, Earth System Sci. & Computer Sci. >>> University of California, Irvine 949-891-2429 )'( >>> _______________________________________________ >>> CF-metadata mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://mailman.cgd.ucar.edu/mailman/listinfo/cf-metadata >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> >> Christopher Barker, Ph.D. >> Oceanographer >> >> Emergency Response Division >> NOAA/NOS/OR&R (206) 526-6959 voice >> 7600 Sand Point Way NE >> <https://maps.google.com/?q=7600+Sand+Point+Way+NE&entry=gmail&source=g> >> (206) 526-6329 fax >> Seattle, WA 98115 (206) 526-6317 main reception >> >> [email protected] >> >> _______________________________________________ >> CF-metadata mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://mailman.cgd.ucar.edu/mailman/listinfo/cf-metadata >> >> > > > -- > Dr. Richard P. Signell (508) 457-2229 > USGS, 384 Woods Hole Rd. > <https://maps.google.com/?q=384+Woods+Hole+Rd.+%C2%A0+Woods+Hole,+MA+02543&entry=gmail&source=g> > Woods Hole, MA 02543 > <https://maps.google.com/?q=384+Woods+Hole+Rd.+%C2%A0+Woods+Hole,+MA+02543&entry=gmail&source=g> > -1598 > -- Christopher Barker, Ph.D. Oceanographer Emergency Response Division NOAA/NOS/OR&R (206) 526-6959 voice 7600 Sand Point Way NE (206) 526-6329 fax Seattle, WA 98115 (206) 526-6317 main reception [email protected]
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