cloning a netcdf file (base for modifying it)

clone_ncfile.py

def clone_ncfile(self,filein,fileout):
        fidin  = nc.Dataset(filein,'r')
        fidout = nc.Dataset(fileout,'w',format='NETCDF3_CLASSIC')

        fidout.description = ''
        #Copy dimensions
        for dname, the_dim in fidin.dimensions.iteritems():
                fidout.createDimension(dname, len(the_dim) if not the_dim.isunlimited() else None)

        # Copy variables
        for v_name, varin in fidin.variables.iteritems():
                outVar = fidout.createVariable(v_name, varin.datatype, varin.dimensions)
                # Copy variable attributes
                outVar.setncatts({k: varin.getncattr(k) for k in varin.ncattrs()})
                outVar[:] = varin[:]

        fidin.close()
        fidout.close()
        return None