CGNS是CFD General Notation的缩写，它是一个面向CFD数据存储和检索，通用、轻便并且可扩展的标准。它包含一系列的约定，和实现这些约定的免费开放的软件。它具有自描述性，跨平台并且和机器无关，由国际指导委员会编写文档并且管理。它也是由AIAA所推荐的一个标准。1994年在美国波音公司和NASA的共同努力下，CGNS项目产生。到如今，世界范围内许多组织都对它的发展有做出了贡献。1999年，CGNS的控制权完全移交至一个公共的社团——CGNS指导委员会。这个委员会由世界范围内的来自政府和私人企业的代表组成。

CGNS stands for CFD General Notation System. It is a general, portable, and extensible standard for the storage and retrieval of CFD analysis data. It consists of a collection of conventions, and free and open software implementing those conventions. It is self-descriptive, cross-platform also termed platform or machine independent, documented, and administered by an international steering committee. It is also an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) recommended practice. The CGNS project originated in 1994 as a joint effort between Boeing and NASA, and has since grown to include many other contributing organizations worldwide. In 1999, control of CGNS was completely transferred to a public forum known as the CGNS Steering Committee. This Committee is made up of international representatives from government and private industry.