CDF (.cdf)
.cdf file signature | application/x-netcdf
Common Data Format (CDF) is a scientific data file format created and maintained by NASA’s Space Physics Data Facility for storing multidimensional data sets. It is used in space science, remote sensing, and other research applications to organize time series, variables, and metadata for analysis and exchange. CDF has a long history in scientific computing, and although it is generally safe, users should still verify files from untrusted sources before opening them.
Magic Bytes
Offset 0
43 44 46 01
Sources: Apache Tika
All Known Signatures
2 signature variants are documented for .cdf files across multiple sources.
| Hex Signature | Offset | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| 43 44 46 01 | 0 | Apache Tika |
| 43 44 46 02 | 0 | Apache Tika |
Extension
.cdf
MIME Type
application/x-netcdf
Byte Offset
0
Risk Level
Safe
Validation Code
How to validate .cdf files in Python
def is_cdf(file_path: str) -> bool:
"""Check if file is a valid CDF by magic bytes."""
signature = bytes([0x43, 0x44, 0x46, 0x01])
with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
return f.read(4) == signatureHow to validate .cdf files in Node.js
function isCDF(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
const signature = Buffer.from([0x43, 0x44, 0x46, 0x01]);
return buffer.subarray(0, 4).equals(signature);
}How to validate .cdf files in Go
func IsCDF(data []byte) bool {
signature := []byte{0x43, 0x44, 0x46, 0x01}
if len(data) < 4 {
return false
}
return bytes.Equal(data[:4], signature)
}API Endpoint
/api/v1/cdf
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/cdf
See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.
Related Formats
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .cdf file?
A .cdf file is identified by the magic bytes 43 44 46 01 at byte offset 0. Common Data Format (CDF) is a scientific data file format created and maintained by NASA’s Space Physics Data Facility for storing multidimensional data sets. It is used in space science, remote sensing, and other research applications to organize time series, variables, and metadata for analysis and exchange. CDF has a long history in scientific computing, and although it is generally safe, users should still verify files from untrusted sources before opening them.
What are the magic bytes for .cdf files?
The magic bytes for CDF files are 43 44 46 01 at byte offset 0. These bytes uniquely identify the file format regardless of the file extension.
How do I validate a .cdf file?
To validate a .cdf file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (43 44 46 01) at offset 0. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.
What is the MIME type for .cdf files?
The primary MIME type for .cdf files is application/x-netcdf.
Is it safe to open .cdf files?
CDF (.cdf) files are generally safe to open. They are classified as low risk because they primarily contain data rather than executable code. However, always ensure files come from a trusted source.