Remove the tables.netcdf3 module

[FrancescAlted]

The tables.netcdf3 is not actively maintained anymore, and there are other, better packages to deal with NetCDF format in Python (like http://code.google.com/p/netcdf4-python). This module should be removed in PyTables.

[scopatz]

I agree with @FrancescAlted

[avalentino]

Should the module just disappear or we plan a transition period in which the module is deprecated?

• 2.3 tables.netcdf3 is deprecated
• 2.4 removed

[scopatz]

Sounds good to me.

[avalentino]

In avalentino/PyTables@c6a92c76a81dff06f062 I have added a deprecation warning on top of the netcdf3 module and also added a warning in the usermanual.

I'm not sure if we should also exclude tests related to the netcdf3 module from the test suite.

[FrancescAlted]

Yes, in order to prevent ancillary errors (netcdf3 depends on the old Numeric package), I'd remove the tests too.

[avalentino]

OK, tests for netcdf3 module are now disabled in avalentino/PyTables@134e5d6e6ad56f8253ce i.e. running test_all.py no more executes test for that module.

The test code is still there (as well as the module itself) and can be run manually.

I'm assuming that we want just deprecate the module in 2.3 and remove it only in 2.4. Is it OK for you Francesc?

[FrancescAlted]

Yes, I'm fine with this.

Francesc Alted

[avalentino]

Deprecation done with f1264e2