iris - a dimension with a separatlely named coordinate

[Tarkan Bilge]

Hi everyone!

I was wondering, is it possible in iris to create a NetCDF dimension that is attached to a coordinate variable with a different name (but also so that the dimension does not generate a coordinate variable in the name of the dimension). For example, in order to meet NetCDF C3S requirements, files that are part of a set of realizations need a dimension called 'str31' with size 31, and a coordinate called 'realization' with datatype 'str' that is associated with the dimension (https://confluence.ecmwf.int/display/COPSRV/Guide+to+NetCDF+encoding+for+C3S+providers).

I have seen a similar request here:
https://github.com/SciTools/iris/issues/2626

My understanding from the above comment is that it is not possible in iris to have a dimension that is not a coordinate variable? If so, then perhaps there is a workaround for this in iris? I think this can be done in the xarray or netCDF4 libraries but I am trying to avoid switching too much between libraries.

Thanks,
Tarkan