def _convert_option(self):
        '''
        Determines how to convert CDF byte ordering to the system
        byte ordering.
        '''

        if sys.byteorder == 'little' and self._endian() == 'big-endian':
            # big->little
            order = '>'
        elif sys.byteorder == 'big' and self._endian() == 'little-endian':
            # little->big
            order = '<'
        else:
            # no conversion
            order = '='
        return order
Determines how to convert CDF byte ordering to the system
        byte ordering.