move_dp_1d_dataset_buffer Subroutine

    subroutine move_dp_1d_dataset_buffer(val,buf)
      ! moves the data from buf to val, eventually truncating/expanding it
      ! deallocates buf
      real(dp), allocatable, intent(inout) :: buf(:)
      real(dp), target, intent(inout) :: val(:)

      integer :: dimsVal, dimsBuf

      ! if buf is unallocated, this is not going anywhere
      if(.not. allocated(buf)) then
         write(stdout,*) "WARNING: Trying to move data from empty buffer"
         return
      endif

      ! we need to check if the buffer can be copied 1:1
      dimsVal = size(val)
      dimsBuf = size(buf)
      if(dimsVal .eq. dimsBuf) then
         val(:) = buf(:)
      else
         ! now it depends if val is larger or smaller than buf
         if(dimsVal < dimsBuf) then
            ! depending, we either omit the last entries
            val(1:dimsVal) = buf(1:dimsVal)
         else
            ! or copy the last one
            val(1:dimsBuf) = buf(1:dimsBuf)
            val(dimsBuf+1:dimsVal) = buf(dimsBuf)
         endif
      endif

      deallocate(buf)

    end subroutine move_dp_1d_dataset_buffer