Variable Naming Conventions

Some of the conventions used in the code have been previously described. In this section, we describe a few more of the conventions used in naming variables. The user may find it helpful to keep the master list of output variables nearby for reference.

1. Distinguishing between barotropic vs. baroclinic variables:

   Variables used to describe the barotropic mode have ``0'' attached to the end (e.g. u0, v0). Variables used to describe the baroclinic mode have the suffix ``1'' attached (e.g. u1, v1).

2. Variable designation rhs:

   The designation ``rhs'' refers to ``right-hand side.'' A variable with this designation (e.g. rhsu1, which is the right-hand side of the differential equation) as part of its name lumps together all the non-time-dependent terms of a particular equation. This makes it easier to increment the system a time step.

3. Variables with the ``_'' designation:

   Variable names with the underscore often denote a variable ``minus'' a value. For instance, the variable iinc_1 means ``variable iinc minus one.''

4. Radiation flux direction:

   Net longwave radiation flux (FLW) into an atmospheric column is defined such that if FLW ;SPMgt; 0, then the whole column absorbs energy. Thus:

   where ``us'' means upwards, at the surface; ``ds'' means downwards, at the surface; and ``ut'' means upwards, at the top-of-atmosphere.