def _convert_type(data_type):
    """
        Converts CDF data types into python types
        """
    if data_type in (1, 41):
        dt_string = 'b'
    elif data_type == 2:
        dt_string = 'h'
    elif data_type == 4:
        dt_string = 'i'
    elif data_type in (8, 33):
        dt_string = 'q'
    elif data_type == 11:
        dt_string = 'B'
    elif data_type == 12:
        dt_string = 'H'
    elif data_type == 14:
        dt_string = 'I'
    elif data_type in (21, 44):
        dt_string = 'f'
    elif data_type in (22, 45, 31):
        dt_string = 'd'
    elif data_type == 32:
        dt_string = 'd'
    elif data_type in (51, 52):
        dt_string = 's'
    else:
        dt_string = ''
    return dt_string
