.CDF File Extension
Computable Document Format File
| Developer | Wolfram Research |
| Popularity |
3.9 | 55 Votes |
What is a CDF file?
Interactive document created in the Computable Document Format (CDF), a document standard developed by Wolfram Research; may contain interactive graphs and other visual materials in addition to static text and page formatting; can load visualization data on-demand from within the document file.
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CDF documents can be used for various purposes, including business presentations, journal articles, and e-learning materials such as textbooks and tutorials. The format is used by teachers, scientists, publishers, and others.
CDF files can be opened using the Wolfram CDF Player, which is a standalone application and a Web browser plug-in provided freely by Wolfram Research. The player supports Mac, Windows, Linux, and mobile platforms.
Programs that open CDF files
CryENGINE Character Definition File
| Developer | Crytek |
| Popularity |
3.3 | 15 Votes |
Programs that open CDF files
Common Data Format
| Developer | GSFC |
| Popularity |
3.1 | 14 Votes |
File create in the Common Data Format (CDF), a format used for storing scalar and multidimensional data in a manner independent of the target platform and discipline; used as a scientific data storage and interchange format by various researchers and organizations and often by those in government.
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Common Data Format files can be manipulated using the CDF software toolkit provided by the Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF), a part of the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The software is cross-platform.
The Common Data Format is supported with interfaces to programming languages such as C, Fortran, C#, Perl, Java. It is also supported by commercial software packages such as MathWorks MATLAB, ITT Visual Information Solutions' Interactive Display Language (IDL), and Weisang FlexPro.
The CDF format has been adopted as a standard format by organizations such as the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) project and the Central Data Handling Facilities (CDHF) project, a scientific data processing entity.
NOTE: The CDF format differs from the NetCDF format, which is based on CDF but uses slightly different conventions. Sometimes NetCDF files use the ".cdf" extension, but the format is incompatible.
Programs that open CDF files
NetCDF Format File
| Developer | NetCDF |
| Popularity |
3.2 | 6 Votes |
Data file created in NetCDF's Common Data Form format, which is based on the standard Common Data Format (CDF) but differs in several ways and therefore is not compatible; used for storing scientific data in a manner independent of the platform and discipline for which it is used; more commonly uses the .NC file extension.
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NOTE: NcView only runs on Windows under Cygwin and if you compile from source manually.
Programs that open CDF files
Affymetrix Chip Definition File
| Developer | Affymetrix |
| Popularity |
2.7 | 7 Votes |
Library file used by Affymetrix DNA microarray analysis software; specifies the layout of a "GeneChip" array and contains the definition of the data stored in an Affymetrix .CEL file; used for understanding and analyzing CEL data.
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A GeneChip is a physical chip containing DNA microarray biological data. GeneChips are manufactured by Affymetrix.
Programs that open or reference CDF files
Nominal Small Business Accounting Company Data File
| Developer | bsmArt Consulting |
| Popularity |
2.8 | 5 Votes |
Accounting data file created by Nominal Small Business Accounting, an application used to track company finances; contains accounts, purchase and sale items, exchange terms, payment methods, tax codes, and employee payroll information for a company.
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CDF files can be used for storing all accounting information for a small-sized business.
NOTE: Nominal Small Business Accounting has been discontinued.
Programs that open CDF files
Content Definition File
| Developer | ECMG |
| Popularity |
2.5 | 6 Votes |
More Information
The CDF format was originally defined as part of the Content Transformation Services (CTS) framework by the Enterprise Content Management Group (ECMG).
Programs that open CDF files
Channel Definition Format
| Developer | N/A |
| Popularity |
2.6 | 5 Votes |
Format used by Web publishers to offer frequently updated information as "channels;" distributed from a Web server to computers with compatible Web browser software installed.
Programs that open or reference CDF files
C.Scope Data Log
| Developer | C.Scope International |
| Popularity |
2.0 | 1 Vote |
A CDF file may also be a data log created by a C.Scope cable avoidance device. It contains a record of how and when the device was used, as well as the device's model type, serial number, and other data. CDF files can be used to analyze a device's use and view cable survey data, using the C.Scope PC Toolkit or C.Scope Relay mobile apps.
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C.Scope International produces pipe and cable location equipment that allows utility and construction professionals to locate underground pipes and cables. C.Scope's cable avoidance devices produce CDF files, which contain a record of when and how the devices were used, as well as the data the devices collected.
Devices generate a new CDF file each time they are used. Each CDF file contains the following data:
- Device model type
- Device serial number
- Automatic self test result
- User identity
- Date and time of use
- Device detection mode
- Signal strength
- Signal generator/transmitter frequency
- Cable/pipe depth
- Sonde depth
Each device can store roughly 12 months' worth of CDF files at one time. Device operators and auditors can transfer a device's CDF files to a PC or mobile device, to view the files' data in C.Scope PC Toolkit or C.Scope Relay.
How to open a CDF file
You can open a CDF file in C.Scope PC Toolkit (Windows) or C.Scope Relay (Android, iOS). For example, to open a CDF file in C.Scope PC Toolkit, open the program and select the Analyse tab. Then, select Open, navigate to your CDF file, and open the file.