Ncas-amof-netcdf-template

Release notes
This release adds the option to keep netCDF files open after creation. Previously, when calling `create_netcdf.main`, the netCDF file would be closed after it was made, meaning it then had to be opened again in append mode before data could be added. Now, the option has been added to keep the netCDF file open and return the open file from the function, saving the need to re-open the file. The previous method is still the default and is being deprecated, with the new method available using `return_open=True` in the `create_netcdf.main`, `create_netcdf.make_netcdf`, and `create_netcdf.make_product_netcdf` functions. The new method will be the default option in 2.4.0, and the old method removed from 2.5.0.

This led to the need for a deprecation policy, which has been added to the documentation, along with a revision history starting with 2.3.0; this may later be backfilled.

Other highlights include:
- changing supported python versions from 3.7-3.11 to 3.8-3.12
- raising errors (with option to warn instead) when trying to add invalid flag values to quality control variables
- option to use locally saved tsv files

What's Changed
* Changes and updates for 2.3 by joshua-hampton in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/107
* use locally saved tsv files https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/issues/91
* error or warn if adding invalid QC flag data https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/issues/103
* keep netCDF file open after creation https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/issues/104
* bug fix that stopped empty QC variables being removed https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/issues/105
* changes to documentation including addition of new history and deprecation page https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/issues/106


**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/compare/2.2.2...2.3.0

Release notes
Fix a few bugs as mentioned in issues 97 and 98, looking at dimensions that have a length defined by the standard and dealing with the existence of multiple variables with the same name.
Removal of Python 3.7 checking delayed to release of version 2.3.0.

What's Changed
* Bug fixes by joshua-hampton in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/99


**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/compare/2.2.1...2.2.2

Release notes
Small change to checking variable attributes have a value, now checking that they are a string first before checking to see if they are an empty string (as is the case when they have no value). The latest update to Numpy (v1.25) means that when an array is compared to an empty string, previously a warning was issued which we could safely ignore, now an exception is raised. This release addresses this issue.

Also note, as Python 3.7 has reached end of life, this will be the last release that is tested against Python 3.7. While future releases might continue to work with Python 3.7, this will no longer be required or supported.

What's Changed
* Update README.md by joshua-hampton in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/87
* Check variable attribute value is string before comparing it to a string by joshua-hampton in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/93


**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/compare/2.2.0...2.2.1

Release notes
This release adds a new way to create netCDF files that align with the NCAS-GENERAL standard - by data product. Files can now be made for any instrument - not just those associated with NCAS and AMOF - that use the data products as defined by the standard, helpful for new instruments that haven't made it onto the list yet, instrument prototypes, or anyone who wishes to use the NCAS metadata standards.

There is also an update to the value given to the history global attribute: rather than just stating the file was created at a certain time, information about the user and this package are included, as suggested in the [netCDF Users Guide](https://docs.unidata.ucar.edu/nug/current/attribute_conventions.html#history).

This version also sees some smaller changes behind the scenes, with a push to produce tidier and easier-to-read code, filling in some gaps in the documentation, and adding further badges to the README to help spot quicker when things might be breaking.

What's Changed
* Build status badge by joshua-hampton in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/74
* Add link to build test results from badge by joshua-hampton in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/75
* Add documentation about dimensions by joshua-hampton in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/79
* Tidy repository and code. by joshua-hampton in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/80
* Updates for version 2.2.0 by joshua-hampton in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/84
* Make files by product - https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/issues/82
* Improvement to history global attribute - https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/issues/76
* Version Update PR by github-actions in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/85

**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/compare/2.1.2...2.2.0

Release notes
Fixed error in `util.get_times()` where the returned `day_of_year` variable was returning incorrect values (70).

What's Changed
* Change in running tests by joshua-hampton in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/68
* Corrected calculation of day_of_year variable by joshua-hampton in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/71
* Version Update PR by github-actions in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/72


**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/compare/2.1.1...2.1.2

Release notes
Fixes error in `util.get_times()` where the `file_date` variable would not be created correctly - units such as month and day needed zero padding, and seconds should only have been returned as an integer rather than a float.

What's Changed
* Correct error in creating file_dates by joshua-hampton in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/66
* Version Update PR by github-actions in https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/pull/67


**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/joshua-hampton/ncas_amof_netcdf_template/compare/2.1.0...2.1.1