C++ API improvement

Description:
    - Added another argument, LinkCreatPropList& lcpl, to the CommonFG::createGroup()
      functions for the use of link creation property list.  The new argument has
      a default value.
        Group createGroup(const char* name, size_t size_hint = 0,
                    const LinkCreatPropList& lcpl = LinkCreatPropList::DEFAULT)
        Group createGroup(const H5std_string& name, size_t size_hint = 0,
                    const LinkCreatPropList& lcpl = LinkCreatPropList::DEFAULT)
    - Removed memory leaks caused by accidentally invoking p_get_member_type
    (in H5CompType.cpp, user reported via email, maybe no jira issue)
    - Made H5Location::closeObjId static, so no object is needed to close an hdf5 id.
    - Added classes StrCreatPropList, LinkCreatPropList, AttrCreatPropList
      for the C property list classes H5P_STRING_CREATE, H5P_LINK_CREATE,
      and H5P_ATTRIBUTE_CREATE.
Platforms tested:
    Linux/64 (jelly)
    Linux/64 (platypus)
    Darwin (osx1010test)

24 files changed, 665 insertions, 89 deletions

diff --git a/MANIFEST b/MANIFEST
index 9ab8b46..76a40dc 100644
--- a/MANIFEST
+++ b/MANIFEST
@@ -345,6 +345,8 @@
 
 ./c++/src/H5AbstractDs.cpp
 ./c++/src/H5AbstractDs.h
+./c++/src/H5AcreatProp.cpp
+./c++/src/H5AcreatProp.h
 ./c++/src/H5Alltypes.h
 ./c++/src/H5ArrayType.cpp
 ./c++/src/H5ArrayType.h
@@ -392,6 +394,8 @@
 ./c++/src/H5Library.h
 ./c++/src/H5LaccProp.cpp
 ./c++/src/H5LaccProp.h
+./c++/src/H5LcreatProp.cpp
+./c++/src/H5LcreatProp.h
 ./c++/src/H5Location.cpp
 ./c++/src/H5Location.h
 ./c++/src/H5Object.cpp
@@ -402,6 +406,8 @@
 ./c++/src/H5PredType.h
 ./c++/src/H5PropList.cpp
 ./c++/src/H5PropList.h
+./c++/src/H5StrcreatProp.cpp
+./c++/src/H5StrcreatProp.h
 ./c++/src/H5StrType.cpp
 ./c++/src/H5StrType.h
 ./c++/src/H5VarLenType.cpp
diff --git a/c++/src/CMakeLists.txt b/c++/src/CMakeLists.txt
index 5b36137..9b9b745 100644
--- a/c++/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/c++/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ configure_file (${HDF_RESOURCES_DIR}/H5cxx_config.h.in
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 set (CPP_SRCS
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5AbstractDs.cpp
+    ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5AcreatProp.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5ArrayType.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5AtomType.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5Attribute.cpp
@@ -33,18 +34,21 @@ set (CPP_SRCS
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5IdComponent.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5IntType.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5LaccProp.cpp
+    ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5LcreatProp.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5Library.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5Location.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5Object.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5OcreatProp.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5PredType.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5PropList.cpp
+    ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5StrcreatProp.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5StrType.cpp
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5VarLenType.cpp
 )
 
 set (CPP_HDRS
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5AbstractDs.h
+    ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5AcreatProp.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5Alltypes.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5ArrayType.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5AtomType.h
@@ -70,12 +74,14 @@ set (CPP_HDRS
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5Include.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5IntType.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5LaccProp.h
+    ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5LcreatProp.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5Library.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5Location.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5Object.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5OcreatProp.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5PredType.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5PropList.h
+    ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5StrcreatProp.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5StrType.h
     ${HDF5_CPP_SRC_SOURCE_DIR}/H5VarLenType.h
 )
diff --git a/c++/src/H5AcreatProp.cpp b/c++/src/H5AcreatProp.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..29886d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/c++/src/H5AcreatProp.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+/* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
+ * Copyright by The HDF Group.                                               *
+ * Copyright by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.         *
+ * All rights reserved.                                                      *
+ *                                                                           *
+ * This file is part of HDF5.  The full HDF5 copyright notice, including     *
+ * terms governing use, modification, and redistribution, is contained in    *
+ * the COPYING file, which can be found at the root of the source code       *
+ * distribution tree, or in https://support.hdfgroup.org/ftp/HDF5/releases.  *
+ * If you do not have access to either file, you may request a copy from     *
+ * help@hdfgroup.org.                                                        *
+ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
+
+#include <string>
+
+#include "H5Include.h"
+#include "H5Exception.h"
+#include "H5IdComponent.h"
+#include "H5PropList.h"
+#include "H5StrcreatProp.h"
+#include "H5AcreatProp.h"
+
+namespace H5 {
+
+#ifndef DOXYGEN_SHOULD_SKIP_THIS
+// This DOXYGEN_SHOULD_SKIP_THIS block is a work-around approach to control
+// the order of creation and deletion of the global constants.  See Design Notes
+// in "H5PredType.cpp" for information.
+
+// Initialize a pointer for the constant
+AttrCreatPropList* AttrCreatPropList::DEFAULT_ = 0;
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    AttrCreatPropList::getConstant
+//              Creates a AttrCreatPropList object representing the HDF5 constant
+//              H5P_ATTRIBUTE_CREATE, pointed to by AttrCreatPropList::DEFAULT_
+// exception    H5::PropListIException
+// Description
+//              If AttrCreatPropList::DEFAULT_ already points to an allocated
+//              object, throw a PropListIException.  This scenario should not
+//              happen.
+// May, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+AttrCreatPropList* AttrCreatPropList::getConstant()
+{
+    // Tell the C library not to clean up, H5Library::termH5cpp will call
+    // H5close - more dependency if use H5Library::dontAtExit()
+    if (!IdComponent::H5dontAtexit_called)
+     {
+        (void) H5dont_atexit();
+        IdComponent::H5dontAtexit_called = true;
+    }
+
+    // If the constant pointer is not allocated, allocate it. Otherwise,
+    // throw because it shouldn't be.
+    if (DEFAULT_ == 0)
+        DEFAULT_ = new AttrCreatPropList(H5P_ATTRIBUTE_CREATE);
+    else
+        throw PropListIException("AttrCreatPropList::getConstant", "AttrCreatPropList::getConstant is being invoked on an allocated DEFAULT_");
+    return(DEFAULT_);
+}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    AttrCreatPropList::deleteConstants
+// Purpose:     Deletes the constant object that AttrCreatPropList::DEFAULT_
+//              points to.
+// exception    H5::PropListIException
+// May, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void AttrCreatPropList::deleteConstants()
+{
+    if (DEFAULT_ != 0)
+        delete DEFAULT_;
+}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Purpose:     Constant for default link creation property
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+const AttrCreatPropList& AttrCreatPropList::DEFAULT = *getConstant();
+
+#endif // DOXYGEN_SHOULD_SKIP_THIS
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    Default Constructor
+///\brief       Creates a file access property list
+// May, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+AttrCreatPropList::AttrCreatPropList() : StrCreatPropList(H5P_ATTRIBUTE_CREATE) {}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    AttrCreatPropList copy constructor
+///\brief       Copy constructor: same HDF5 object as \a original
+///\param       original - IN: AttrCreatPropList instance to copy
+// May, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+AttrCreatPropList::AttrCreatPropList(const AttrCreatPropList& original) : StrCreatPropList(original) {}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    AttrCreatPropList overloaded constructor
+///\brief       Creates a file access property list using the id of an
+///             existing one.
+// May, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+AttrCreatPropList::AttrCreatPropList(const hid_t plist_id) : StrCreatPropList(plist_id) {}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    AttrCreatPropList destructor
+///\brief       Noop destructor
+// May, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+AttrCreatPropList::~AttrCreatPropList() {}
+
+} // end namespace
diff --git a/c++/src/H5AcreatProp.h b/c++/src/H5AcreatProp.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f81897
--- /dev/null
+++ b/c++/src/H5AcreatProp.h
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+// C++ informative line for the emacs editor: -*- C++ -*-
+/* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
+ * Copyright by The HDF Group.                                               *
+ * Copyright by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.         *
+ * All rights reserved.                                                      *
+ *                                                                           *
+ * This file is part of HDF5.  The full HDF5 copyright notice, including     *
+ * terms governing use, modification, and redistribution, is contained in    *
+ * the COPYING file, which can be found at the root of the source code       *
+ * distribution tree, or in https://support.hdfgroup.org/ftp/HDF5/releases.  *
+ * If you do not have access to either file, you may request a copy from     *
+ * help@hdfgroup.org.                                                        *
+ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
+
+#ifndef __H5AttrCreatPropList_H
+#define __H5AttrCreatPropList_H
+
+namespace H5 {
+
+/*! \class AttrCreatPropList
+    \brief Class AttrCreatPropList inherits from StrCreatPropList and provides
+    wrappers for the HDF5 attribute creation property list.
+*/
+// Inheritance: StrCreatPropList -> PropList -> IdComponent
+class H5_DLLCPP AttrCreatPropList : public StrCreatPropList {
+   public:
+        ///\brief Default attribute creation property list.
+        static const AttrCreatPropList& DEFAULT;
+
+        // Creates a attribute creation property list.
+        AttrCreatPropList();
+
+        ///\brief Returns this class name.
+        virtual H5std_string fromClass () const { return("AttrCreatPropList"); }
+
+        // Copy constructor: same as the original AttrCreatPropList.
+        AttrCreatPropList(const AttrCreatPropList& original);
+
+        // Creates a copy of an existing attribute creation property list
+        // using the property list id.
+        AttrCreatPropList(const hid_t acpl_id);
+
+        // Noop destructor
+        virtual ~AttrCreatPropList();
+
+#ifndef DOXYGEN_SHOULD_SKIP_THIS
+
+        // Deletes the global constant, should only be used by the library
+        static void deleteConstants();
+
+    private:
+        static AttrCreatPropList* DEFAULT_;
+
+        // Creates the global constant, should only be used by the library
+        static AttrCreatPropList* getConstant();
+
+#endif // DOXYGEN_SHOULD_SKIP_THIS
+}; // end of AttrCreatPropList
+
+} // namespace H5
+
+#endif // __H5AttrCreatPropList_H
diff --git a/c++/src/H5ArrayType.cpp b/c++/src/H5ArrayType.cpp
index 6be1a1f..b0d65b0 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5ArrayType.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5ArrayType.cpp
@@ -117,7 +117,6 @@ ArrayType::ArrayType(const H5Location& loc, const H5std_string& type_name) : Dat
 //              Closes the id on the lhs object first with setId, then copies
 //              each data member from the rhs object. (Issue HDFFV-9562)
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Mar 2016
-// Modification
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ArrayType& ArrayType::operator=(const ArrayType& rhs)
 {
diff --git a/c++/src/H5CommonFG.cpp b/c++/src/H5CommonFG.cpp
index 684090f..97900f6 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5CommonFG.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5CommonFG.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@
 #include "H5DxferProp.h"
 #include "H5DcreatProp.h"
 #include "H5LaccProp.h"
+#include "H5StrcreatProp.h"
+#include "H5LcreatProp.h"
 #include "H5Location.h"
 #include "H5Object.h"
 #include "H5CommonFG.h"
@@ -53,9 +55,11 @@ namespace H5 {
 // Function:    CommonFG::createGroup
 ///\brief       Creates a new group at this location which can be a file
 ///             or another group.
-///\param       name  - IN: Name of the group to create
+///\param       name      - IN: Name of the group to create
 ///\param       size_hint - IN: Indicates the number of bytes to reserve for
-///             the names that will appear in the group
+///                         the names that will appear in the group - default to 0
+///\param       lcpl      - IN: Link creation property list - default to
+///                         LinkCreatPropList::DEFAULT
 ///\return      Group instance
 ///\exception   H5::FileIException or H5::GroupIException
 ///\par Description
@@ -63,9 +67,12 @@ namespace H5 {
 ///             reserve for storing the names that will appear in this new
 ///             group. If a non-positive value is provided for the \a size_hint
 ///             then a default size is chosen.
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
+// Modification:
+//      May 2018 - 1.8.21
+//          - Added an argument with default value LinkCreatPropList::DEFAULT
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Group CommonFG::createGroup(const char* name, size_t size_hint) const
+Group CommonFG::createGroup(const char* name, size_t size_hint, const LinkCreatPropList& lcpl) const
 {
     // Group creation property list for size hint
     hid_t gcpl_id = 0;
@@ -85,7 +92,7 @@ Group CommonFG::createGroup(const char* name, size_t size_hint) const
 
     // Call C routine H5Gcreate2 to create the named group, giving the
     // location id which can be a file id or a group id
-    hid_t group_id = H5Gcreate2(getLocId(), name, H5P_DEFAULT, gcpl_id, H5P_DEFAULT);
+    hid_t group_id = H5Gcreate2(getLocId(), name, lcpl.getId(), gcpl_id, H5P_DEFAULT);
 
     // Close the group creation property list, if necessary
     if(gcpl_id > 0)
@@ -107,11 +114,13 @@ Group CommonFG::createGroup(const char* name, size_t size_hint) const
 ///\brief       This is an overloaded member function, provided for convenience.
 ///             It differs from the above function in that it takes an
 ///             \c H5std_string for \a name.
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// Modification:
+//      May 2018 - 1.8.21
+//          - Added LinkCreatPropList& with default value LinkCreatPropList::DEFAULT
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Group CommonFG::createGroup(const H5std_string& name, size_t size_hint) const
+Group CommonFG::createGroup(const H5std_string& name, size_t size_hint, const LinkCreatPropList& lcpl) const
 {
-    return(createGroup(name.c_str(), size_hint));
+    return(createGroup(name.c_str(), size_hint, lcpl));
 }
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/c++/src/H5CommonFG.h b/c++/src/H5CommonFG.h
index 81a9a29..5e43d8c 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5CommonFG.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5CommonFG.h
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@ class H5_DLLCPP CommonFG {
    public:
         // Creates a new group at this location which can be a file
         // or another group.
-        Group createGroup(const char* name, size_t size_hint = 0) const;
-        Group createGroup(const H5std_string& name, size_t size_hint = 0) const;
+        Group createGroup(const char* name, size_t size_hint = 0, const LinkCreatPropList& lc_plist = LinkCreatPropList::DEFAULT) const;
+        Group createGroup(const H5std_string& name, size_t size_hint = 0, const LinkCreatPropList& lc_plist = LinkCreatPropList::DEFAULT) const;
 
         // Opens an existing group in a location which can be a file
         // or another group.
diff --git a/c++/src/H5CompType.cpp b/c++/src/H5CompType.cpp
index 6d879bd..9527037 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5CompType.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5CompType.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ namespace H5 {
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    CompType default constructor
 ///\brief       Default constructor: Creates a stub compound datatype
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CompType::CompType() : DataType() {}
 
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ CompType::CompType() : DataType() {}
 // Function:    CompType copy constructor
 ///\brief       Copy constructor: makes copy of the original CompType object
 ///\param       original - IN: Original CompType instance
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CompType::CompType(const CompType& original) : DataType(original) {}
 
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ CompType::CompType(const CompType& original) : DataType(original) {}
 // Function:    CompType overloaded constructor
 ///\brief       Creates a CompType object using the id of an existing datatype.
 ///\param       existing_id - IN: Id of an existing compound datatype
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CompType::CompType(const hid_t existing_id) : DataType(existing_id) {}
 
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ CompType::CompType(const hid_t existing_id) : DataType(existing_id) {}
 // Description
 //              The DataType constructor calls the C API H5Tcreate to create
 //              the compound datatype.
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CompType::CompType(size_t size) : DataType(H5T_COMPOUND, size) {}
 
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ CompType::CompType(size_t size) : DataType(H5T_COMPOUND, size) {}
 ///\param       dataset - IN: Dataset that this enum datatype associates with
 ///\return      CompType instance
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CompType::CompType(const DataSet& dataset) : DataType()
 {
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ CompType::CompType(const DataSet& dataset) : DataType()
 ///\param       loc       - IN: Location of the type
 ///\param       type_name - IN: Compound type name
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Sept 2017
+// Sept 2017
 // Description
 //              In 1.8.20, this constructor was introduced and may replace the
 //              existing function CommonFG::openCompType(const char*) to
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ CompType::CompType(const H5Location& loc, const char *type_name) : DataType()
 ///\param       loc       - IN: Location of the type
 ///\param       type_name - IN: Compound type name
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Sept 2017
+// Sept 2017
 // Description
 //              In 1.8.20, this constructor was introduced and may replace the
 //              existing function CommonFG::openCompType(const H5std_string&) to
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ CompType::CompType(const H5Location& loc, const H5std_string& type_name) : DataT
 ///\brief       Returns a CompType object via DataType* by decoding the
 ///             binary object description of this datatype.
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Sept 2017
+// Sept 2017
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DataType* CompType::decode() const
 {
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ DataType* CompType::decode() const
 ///\brief       Returns the number of members in this compound datatype.
 ///\return      Number of members
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 int CompType::getNmembers() const
 {
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ int CompType::getNmembers() const
 ///\param       member_num - IN: Zero-based index of the member
 ///\return      Name of member
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 H5std_string CompType::getMemberName(unsigned member_num) const
 {
@@ -184,14 +184,14 @@ H5std_string CompType::getMemberName(unsigned member_num) const
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    CompType::getMemberIndex
 ///\brief       Returns the index of a member in this compound datatype.
-///\param       name - IN: Name of the member
+///\param       name - IN: Name of the member - \c char*
 ///\return      Index of member
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
 ///\par Description
 ///             Members are stored in no particular order with numbers 0
 ///             through N-1, where N is the value returned by the member
 ///             function \c CompType::getNmembers.
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - May 16, 2002
+// May 16, 2002
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 int CompType::getMemberIndex(const char* name) const
 {
@@ -203,6 +203,21 @@ int CompType::getMemberIndex(const char* name) const
     }
     return(member_index);
 }
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    CompType::getMemberIndex
+///\brief       This is an overloaded member function, provided for convenience.
+///             It differs from the above function in that it takes an
+///             \c H5std_string for \a name.
+///\param       name - IN: Name of the member - \c H5std_string
+///\return      Index of member
+///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
+///\par Description
+///             Members are stored in no particular order with numbers 0
+///             through N-1, where N is the value returned by the member
+///             function \c CompType::getNmembers.
+// Apr 18, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 int CompType::getMemberIndex(const H5std_string& name) const
 {
     return(getMemberIndex(name.c_str()));
@@ -214,14 +229,14 @@ int CompType::getMemberIndex(const H5std_string& name) const
 ///             respect to the beginning of the compound data type datum.
 ///\param       member_num - IN: Zero-based index of the member
 ///\return      Byte offset
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 // Description
 ///             Members are stored in no particular order with numbers 0
 ///             through N-1, where N is the value returned by the member
 ///             function \c CompType::getNmembers.
 //
 //              Note that byte offset being returned as 0 doesn't indicate
-//              a failure. (According to Quincey)
+//              a failure.
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 size_t CompType::getMemberOffset(unsigned member_num) const
 {
@@ -235,7 +250,7 @@ size_t CompType::getMemberOffset(unsigned member_num) const
 ///\param       member_num - IN: Zero-based index of the member
 ///\return      Type class of the member
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 // Modification
 //              Modified to use H5Tget_member_class instead. - Jul, 2005
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -275,7 +290,7 @@ hid_t CompType::p_get_member_type(unsigned member_num) const
 ///\param       member_num - IN: Zero-based index of the member
 ///\return      DataType instance
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DataType CompType::getMemberDataType(unsigned member_num) const
 {
@@ -296,12 +311,12 @@ DataType CompType::getMemberDataType(unsigned member_num) const
 ///\param       member_num - IN: Zero-based index of the member
 ///\return      ArrayType instance
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Jul, 2005
+// Jul, 2005
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ArrayType CompType::getMemberArrayType(unsigned member_num) const
 {
     try {
-        ArrayType arraytype(p_get_member_type(member_num));
+        ArrayType arraytype;
         f_DataType_setId(&arraytype, p_get_member_type(member_num));
         return(arraytype);
     }
@@ -317,12 +332,12 @@ ArrayType CompType::getMemberArrayType(unsigned member_num) const
 ///\param       member_num - IN: Zero-based index of the member
 ///\return      CompType instance
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CompType CompType::getMemberCompType(unsigned member_num) const
 {
     try {
-      CompType comptype(p_get_member_type(member_num));
+        CompType comptype;
         f_DataType_setId(&comptype, p_get_member_type(member_num));
         return(comptype);
     }
@@ -338,12 +353,12 @@ CompType CompType::getMemberCompType(unsigned member_num) const
 ///\param       member_num - IN: Zero-based index of the member
 ///\return      EnumType instance
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 EnumType CompType::getMemberEnumType(unsigned member_num) const
 {
     try {
-      EnumType enumtype(p_get_member_type(member_num));
+        EnumType enumtype;
         f_DataType_setId(&enumtype, p_get_member_type(member_num));
         return(enumtype);
     }
@@ -359,12 +374,12 @@ EnumType CompType::getMemberEnumType(unsigned member_num) const
 ///\param       member_num - IN: Zero-based index of the member
 ///\return      IntType instance
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 IntType CompType::getMemberIntType(unsigned member_num) const
 {
     try {
-      IntType inttype(p_get_member_type(member_num));
+        IntType inttype;
         f_DataType_setId(&inttype, p_get_member_type(member_num));
         return(inttype);
     }
@@ -380,12 +395,12 @@ IntType CompType::getMemberIntType(unsigned member_num) const
 ///\param       member_num - IN: Zero-based index of the member
 ///\return      FloatType instance
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FloatType CompType::getMemberFloatType(unsigned member_num) const
 {
     try {
-      FloatType floatype(p_get_member_type(member_num));
+        FloatType floatype;
         f_DataType_setId(&floatype, p_get_member_type(member_num));
         return(floatype);
     }
@@ -401,12 +416,12 @@ FloatType CompType::getMemberFloatType(unsigned member_num) const
 ///\param       member_num - IN: Zero-based index of the member
 ///\return      StrType instance
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 StrType CompType::getMemberStrType(unsigned member_num) const
 {
     try {
-      StrType strtype(p_get_member_type(member_num));
+        StrType strtype;
         f_DataType_setId(&strtype, p_get_member_type(member_num));
         return(strtype);
     }
@@ -422,12 +437,12 @@ StrType CompType::getMemberStrType(unsigned member_num) const
 ///\param       member_num - IN: Zero-based index of the member
 ///\return      VarLenType instance
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Jul, 2005
+// Jul, 2005
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 VarLenType CompType::getMemberVarLenType(unsigned member_num) const
 {
     try {
-      VarLenType varlentype(p_get_member_type(member_num));
+        VarLenType varlentype;
         f_DataType_setId(&varlentype, p_get_member_type(member_num));
         return(varlentype);
     }
@@ -476,7 +491,7 @@ void CompType::getMemberType(unsigned member_num, StrType& strtype) const
 ///\param       offset - IN: Offset in memory structure of the field to insert
 ///\param       new_member - IN: New member to be inserted
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void CompType::insertMember(const H5std_string& name, size_t offset, const DataType& new_member) const
 {
@@ -499,7 +514,7 @@ void CompType::insertMember(const H5std_string& name, size_t offset, const DataT
 ///\brief       Recursively removes padding from within a compound datatype.
 ///
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void CompType::pack() const
 {
@@ -518,7 +533,7 @@ void CompType::pack() const
 ///\exception   H5::DataTypeIException
 // Note
 //      H5Tset_size works on atom datatypes and compound datatypes only
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2014
+// 2014
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void CompType::setSize(size_t size) const
 {
@@ -533,7 +548,7 @@ void CompType::setSize(size_t size) const
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    CompType destructor
 ///\brief       Properly terminates access to this compound datatype.
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CompType::~CompType() {}
 
diff --git a/c++/src/H5Cpp.h b/c++/src/H5Cpp.h
index dcf3a17..af7d1e5fa 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5Cpp.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5Cpp.h
@@ -27,11 +27,15 @@
 #include "H5Attribute.h"
 #include "H5OcreatProp.h"
 #include "H5DcreatProp.h"
+#include "H5StrcreatProp.h"
+#include "H5AcreatProp.h"
+#include "H5LcreatProp.h"
 #include "H5CommonFG.h"
 #include "H5DataType.h"
 #include "H5DxferProp.h"
 #include "H5FaccProp.h"
 #include "H5FcreatProp.h"
+#include "H5LaccProp.h"
 #include "H5AtomType.h"
 #include "H5PredType.h"
 #include "H5EnumType.h"
diff --git a/c++/src/H5DxferProp.h b/c++/src/H5DxferProp.h
index 370b271..a8b1fa9 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5DxferProp.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5DxferProp.h
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ namespace H5 {
     \brief Class DSetCreatPropList inherits from PropList and provides
     wrappers for the HDF5 dataset memory and transfer property list.
 */
-//  Inheritance: ObjCreatPropList -> PropList -> IdComponent
+//  Inheritance: PropList -> IdComponent
 class H5_DLLCPP DSetMemXferPropList : public PropList {
    public:
         ///\brief Default dataset memory and transfer property list.
diff --git a/c++/src/H5File.cpp b/c++/src/H5File.cpp
index 395077d..782831b 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5File.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5File.cpp
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 #include "H5OcreatProp.h"
 #include "H5DcreatProp.h"
 #include "H5LaccProp.h"
+#include "H5StrcreatProp.h"
+#include "H5LcreatProp.h"
 #include "H5Location.h"
 #include "H5Object.h"
 #include "H5CommonFG.h"
@@ -229,7 +231,7 @@ bool H5File::isHdf5(const H5std_string& name)
 ///                             will be reopened. Absence of this flag
 ///                             implies read-only access.
 ///
-///             H5F_ACC_RDONLY: Open with read only access. - default
+///             H5F_ACC_RDONLY: Open with read only access.
 ///
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Oct, 2005
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/c++/src/H5Group.cpp b/c++/src/H5Group.cpp
index 00a69d6..c3f390c 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5Group.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5Group.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
 #include "H5OcreatProp.h"
 #include "H5DcreatProp.h"
 #include "H5LaccProp.h"
+#include "H5StrcreatProp.h"
+#include "H5LcreatProp.h"
 #include "H5Location.h"
 #include "H5Object.h"
 #include "H5AbstractDs.h"
diff --git a/c++/src/H5LaccProp.h b/c++/src/H5LaccProp.h
index 9772cde..39fe7b8 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5LaccProp.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5LaccProp.h
@@ -22,16 +22,16 @@ namespace H5 {
 
 /*! \class LinkAccPropList
     \brief Class LinkAccPropList inherits from PropList and provides
-    wrappers for the HDF5 file access property list.
+    wrappers for the HDF5 link access property list.
 
     Inheritance: PropList -> IdComponent
 */
 class H5_DLLCPP LinkAccPropList : public PropList {
    public:
-        ///\brief Default file access property list.
+        ///\brief Default link access property list.
         static const LinkAccPropList& DEFAULT;
 
-        // Creates a file access property list.
+        // Creates a link access property list.
         LinkAccPropList();
 
         ///\brief Returns this class name.
@@ -40,9 +40,9 @@ class H5_DLLCPP LinkAccPropList : public PropList {
         // Copy constructor: creates a copy of a LinkAccPropList object.
         LinkAccPropList(const LinkAccPropList& original);
 
-        // Creates a copy of an existing file access property list
+        // Creates a copy of an existing link access property list
         // using the property list id.
-        LinkAccPropList (const hid_t plist_id);
+        LinkAccPropList(const hid_t lapl_id);
 
         // Sets the number of soft or user-defined links that can be
         // traversed before a failure occurs.
diff --git a/c++/src/H5LcreatProp.cpp b/c++/src/H5LcreatProp.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6d6bd6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/c++/src/H5LcreatProp.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+/* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
+ * Copyright by The HDF Group.                                               *
+ * Copyright by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.         *
+ * All rights reserved.                                                      *
+ *                                                                           *
+ * This file is part of HDF5.  The full HDF5 copyright notice, including     *
+ * terms governing use, modification, and redistribution, is contained in    *
+ * the COPYING file, which can be found at the root of the source code       *
+ * distribution tree, or in https://support.hdfgroup.org/ftp/HDF5/releases.  *
+ * If you do not have access to either file, you may request a copy from     *
+ * help@hdfgroup.org.                                                        *
+ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
+
+#include <string>
+
+#include "H5Include.h"
+#include "H5Exception.h"
+#include "H5IdComponent.h"
+#include "H5PropList.h"
+#include "H5StrcreatProp.h"
+#include "H5LcreatProp.h"
+
+namespace H5 {
+
+#ifndef DOXYGEN_SHOULD_SKIP_THIS
+// This DOXYGEN_SHOULD_SKIP_THIS block is a work-around approach to control
+// the order of creation and deletion of the global constants.  See Design Notes
+// in "H5PredType.cpp" for information.
+
+// Initialize a pointer for the constant
+LinkCreatPropList* LinkCreatPropList::DEFAULT_ = 0;
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    LinkCreatPropList::getConstant
+//              Creates a LinkCreatPropList object representing the HDF5 constant
+//              H5P_LINK_CREATE, pointed to by LinkCreatPropList::DEFAULT_
+// exception    H5::PropListIException
+// Description
+//              If LinkCreatPropList::DEFAULT_ already points to an allocated
+//              object, throw a PropListIException.  This scenario should not
+//              happen.
+// May, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+LinkCreatPropList* LinkCreatPropList::getConstant()
+{
+    // Tell the C library not to clean up, H5Library::termH5cpp will call
+    // H5close - more dependency if use H5Library::dontAtExit()
+    if (!IdComponent::H5dontAtexit_called)
+     {
+        (void) H5dont_atexit();
+        IdComponent::H5dontAtexit_called = true;
+    }
+
+    // If the constant pointer is not allocated, allocate it. Otherwise,
+    // throw because it shouldn't be.
+    if (DEFAULT_ == 0)
+        DEFAULT_ = new LinkCreatPropList(H5P_LINK_CREATE);
+    else
+        throw PropListIException("LinkCreatPropList::getConstant", "LinkCreatPropList::getConstant is being invoked on an allocated DEFAULT_");
+    return(DEFAULT_);
+}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    LinkCreatPropList::deleteConstants
+// Purpose:     Deletes the constant object that LinkCreatPropList::DEFAULT_
+//              points to.
+// exception    H5::PropListIException
+// May, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void LinkCreatPropList::deleteConstants()
+{
+    if (DEFAULT_ != 0)
+        delete DEFAULT_;
+}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Purpose:     Constant for default link creation property
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+const LinkCreatPropList& LinkCreatPropList::DEFAULT = *getConstant();
+
+#endif // DOXYGEN_SHOULD_SKIP_THIS
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    Default Constructor
+///\brief       Creates a file access property list
+// May, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+LinkCreatPropList::LinkCreatPropList() : StrCreatPropList(H5P_LINK_CREATE) {}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    LinkCreatPropList copy constructor
+///\brief       Copy constructor: same HDF5 object as \a original
+///\param       original - IN: LinkCreatPropList instance to copy
+// May, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+LinkCreatPropList::LinkCreatPropList(const LinkCreatPropList& original) : StrCreatPropList(original) {}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    LinkCreatPropList overloaded constructor
+///\brief       Creates a file access property list using the id of an
+///             existing one.
+// May, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+LinkCreatPropList::LinkCreatPropList(const hid_t plist_id) : StrCreatPropList(plist_id) {}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    LinkCreatPropList destructor
+///\brief       Noop destructor
+// May, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+LinkCreatPropList::~LinkCreatPropList() {}
+
+} // end namespace
diff --git a/c++/src/H5LcreatProp.h b/c++/src/H5LcreatProp.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2a3b700
--- /dev/null
+++ b/c++/src/H5LcreatProp.h
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+// C++ informative line for the emacs editor: -*- C++ -*-
+/* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
+ * Copyright by The HDF Group.                                               *
+ * Copyright by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.         *
+ * All rights reserved.                                                      *
+ *                                                                           *
+ * This file is part of HDF5.  The full HDF5 copyright notice, including     *
+ * terms governing use, modification, and redistribution, is contained in    *
+ * the COPYING file, which can be found at the root of the source code       *
+ * distribution tree, or in https://support.hdfgroup.org/ftp/HDF5/releases.  *
+ * If you do not have access to either file, you may request a copy from     *
+ * help@hdfgroup.org.                                                        *
+ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
+
+#ifndef __H5LinkCreatPropList_H
+#define __H5LinkCreatPropList_H
+
+namespace H5 {
+
+/*! \class LinkCreatPropList
+    \brief Class LinkCreatPropList inherits from StrCreatPropList and provides
+    wrappers for the HDF5 link creation property list.
+*/
+// Inheritance: StrCreatPropList -> PropList -> IdComponent
+class H5_DLLCPP LinkCreatPropList : public StrCreatPropList {
+   public:
+        ///\brief Default link creation property list.
+        static const LinkCreatPropList& DEFAULT;
+
+        // Creates a link creation property list.
+        LinkCreatPropList();
+
+        ///\brief Returns this class name.
+        virtual H5std_string fromClass () const { return("LinkCreatPropList"); }
+
+        // Copy constructor: same as the original LinkCreatPropList.
+        LinkCreatPropList(const LinkCreatPropList& original);
+
+        // Creates a copy of an existing link creation property list
+        // using the property list id.
+        LinkCreatPropList(const hid_t lcpl_id);
+
+        // Noop destructor
+        virtual ~LinkCreatPropList();
+
+#ifndef DOXYGEN_SHOULD_SKIP_THIS
+
+        // Deletes the global constant, should only be used by the library
+        static void deleteConstants();
+
+    private:
+        static LinkCreatPropList* DEFAULT_;
+
+        // Creates the global constant, should only be used by the library
+        static LinkCreatPropList* getConstant();
+
+#endif // DOXYGEN_SHOULD_SKIP_THIS
+}; // end of LinkCreatPropList
+
+} // namespace H5
+
+#endif // __H5LinkCreatPropList_H
diff --git a/c++/src/H5Library.cpp b/c++/src/H5Library.cpp
index cedb74c..372fa14 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5Library.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5Library.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@
 #include "H5DcreatProp.h"
 #include "H5DxferProp.h"
 #include "H5LaccProp.h"
+#include "H5StrcreatProp.h"
+#include "H5AcreatProp.h"
+#include "H5LcreatProp.h"
 #include "H5Location.h"
 #include "H5Object.h"
 #include "H5DataType.h"
@@ -188,6 +191,14 @@ void H5Library::initH5cpp()
     if (ret_value != 0)
         throw LibraryIException("H5Library::initH5cpp", "Registrating LinkAccPropList::deleteConstants failed");
 
+    ret_value = std::atexit(LinkCreatPropList::deleteConstants);
+    if (ret_value != 0)
+        throw LibraryIException("H5Library::initH5cpp", "Registrating LinkCreatPropList::deleteConstants failed");
+
+    ret_value = std::atexit(AttrCreatPropList::deleteConstants);
+    if (ret_value != 0)
+        throw LibraryIException("H5Library::initH5cpp", "Registrating AttrCreatPropList::deleteConstants failed");
+
     ret_value = std::atexit(FileAccPropList::deleteConstants);
     if (ret_value != 0)
         throw LibraryIException("H5Library::initH5cpp", "Registrating FileAccPropList::deleteConstants failed");
diff --git a/c++/src/H5Location.cpp b/c++/src/H5Location.cpp
index afeaca7..319fa9e 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5Location.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5Location.cpp
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ May, 2017 (1.8.19)
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::createAttribute
-///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::createAttribute
+///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::createAttribute()
 //  brief       Creates an attribute for a group, dataset, or named datatype.
 ///\param       name - IN: Name of the attribute
 ///\param       data_type - IN: Datatype for the attribute
@@ -114,6 +114,8 @@ May, 2017 (1.8.19)
 ///             delete the existing one with \c H5Location::removeAttr, then
 ///             recreate it with this function.
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// Modification
+//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.19. -BMR
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Attribute H5Location::createAttribute(const char* name, const DataType& data_type, const DataSpace& data_space, const PropList& create_plist) const
 {
@@ -135,11 +137,13 @@ Attribute H5Location::createAttribute(const char* name, const DataType& data_typ
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::createAttribute
-///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::createAttribute
+///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::createAttribute()
 //  brief       This is an overloaded member function, provided for convenience.
 ///             It differs from the above function in that it takes
 ///             a reference to an \c H5std_string for \a name.
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// Modification
+//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.19. -BMR
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Attribute H5Location::createAttribute(const H5std_string& name, const DataType& data_type, const DataSpace& data_space, const PropList& create_plist) const
 {
@@ -148,12 +152,14 @@ Attribute H5Location::createAttribute(const H5std_string& name, const DataType&
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::openAttribute
-///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::openAttribute
+///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::openAttribute()
 //  brief       Opens an attribute given its name.
 ///\param       name - IN: Name of the attribute
 ///\return      Attribute instance
 ///\exception   H5::AttributeIException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// Modification
+//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.19. -BMR
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Attribute H5Location::openAttribute(const char* name) const
 {
@@ -172,12 +178,14 @@ Attribute H5Location::openAttribute(const char* name) const
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::openAttribute
-///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::openAttribute
+///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::openAttribute()
 //  brief       This is an overloaded member function, provided for convenience.
 //              It differs from the above function in that it takes
 //              a reference to an \c H5std_string for \a name.
 ///\param       name - IN: Name of the attribute
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// Modification
+//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.19. -BMR
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Attribute H5Location::openAttribute(const H5std_string& name) const
 {
@@ -186,12 +194,14 @@ Attribute H5Location::openAttribute(const H5std_string& name) const
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::openAttribute
-///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::openAttribute
+///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::openAttribute()
 //  brief       Opens an attribute given its index.
 ///\param       idx - IN: Index of the attribute, a 0-based, non-negative integer
 ///\return      Attribute instance
 ///\exception   H5::AttributeIException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// Modification
+//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.19. -BMR
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Attribute H5Location::openAttribute(const unsigned int idx) const
 {
@@ -225,7 +235,6 @@ Attribute H5Location::openAttribute(const unsigned int idx) const
 ///             For information, please refer to the C layer Reference Manual
 ///             at:
 /// https://support.hdfgroup.org/HDF5/doc/RM/RM_H5A.html#Annot-Iterate
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 int H5Location::iterateAttrs(attr_operator_t user_op, unsigned *_idx, void *op_data)
 {
@@ -261,6 +270,8 @@ int H5Location::iterateAttrs(attr_operator_t user_op, unsigned *_idx, void *op_d
 ///\param       name - IN: Name of the attribute to be queried
 ///\exception   H5::AttributeIException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2013
+// Modification
+//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.19. -BMR
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 bool H5Location::attrExists(const char* name) const
 {
@@ -284,6 +295,8 @@ bool H5Location::attrExists(const char* name) const
 //              a reference to an \c H5std_string for \a name.
 ///\param       name - IN: Name of the attribute to be queried
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2013
+// Modification
+//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.19. -BMR
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 bool H5Location::attrExists(const H5std_string& name) const
 {
@@ -297,6 +310,8 @@ bool H5Location::attrExists(const H5std_string& name) const
 ///\param       name - IN: Name of the attribute to be removed
 ///\exception   H5::AttributeIException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// Modification
+//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.19. -BMR
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void H5Location::removeAttr(const char* name) const
 {
@@ -313,6 +328,8 @@ void H5Location::removeAttr(const char* name) const
 //              a reference to an \c H5std_string for \a name.
 ///\param       name - IN: Name of the attribute to be removed
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// Modification
+//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.19. -BMR
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void H5Location::removeAttr(const H5std_string& name) const
 {
@@ -327,6 +344,8 @@ void H5Location::removeAttr(const H5std_string& name) const
 ///\param       newname - IN: New name ame of the attribute
 ///\exception   H5::AttributeIException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Mar, 2005
+// Modification
+//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.19. -BMR
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void H5Location::renameAttr(const char* oldname, const char* newname) const
 {
@@ -346,6 +365,8 @@ void H5Location::renameAttr(const char* oldname, const char* newname) const
 ///\param       newname - IN: New name ame of the attribute
 ///\exception   H5::AttributeIException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Mar, 2005
+// Modification
+//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.19. -BMR
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void H5Location::renameAttr(const H5std_string& oldname, const H5std_string& newname) const
 {
@@ -358,9 +379,9 @@ void H5Location::renameAttr(const H5std_string& oldname, const H5std_string& new
 //  brief       Returns the number of attributes attached to this HDF5 object.
 ///\return      Number of attributes
 ///\exception   H5::AttributeIException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
+// 2000
 // Modification
-//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.20. -BMR
+//          - Moved to H5Object in 1.8.19. -BMR
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 int H5Location::getNumAttrs() const
 {
@@ -378,8 +399,7 @@ int H5Location::getNumAttrs() const
 ///\param       name - IN: Searched name - \c char*
 ///\param       lapl - IN: Link access property list
 ///\exception   H5::LocationException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Nov, 2016
-// Modification
+// Nov, 2016
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 bool H5Location::nameExists(const char* name, const LinkAccPropList& lapl) const
 {
@@ -452,6 +472,7 @@ H5std_string H5Location::getFileName() const
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::getObjectInfo
 ///\brief       Retrieve information about an object, specified by location.
+///
 ///\exception   H5::LocationException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Aug, 2017
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -467,6 +488,7 @@ void H5Location::getObjectInfo(H5O_info_t *objinfo) const
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::getObjectInfo
 ///\brief       Retrieve information about an object, specified by name.
+///
 ///\exception   H5::LocationException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Aug, 2017
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -483,6 +505,7 @@ void H5Location::getObjectInfo(const char *name, H5O_info_t *objinfo,
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::getObjectInfo
 ///\brief       Retrieve information about an object, specified by name.
+///
 ///\exception   H5::LocationException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Aug, 2017
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -507,6 +530,9 @@ void H5Location::getObjectInfo(const H5std_string& name, H5O_info_t *objinfo,
 ///             - an error returned by the C API
 ///             - version number is not one of the valid values above
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - May, 2017
+// Developer's Note
+//              Maybe, this should be moved to H5Object because H5Oget_info is
+//              supposed to take an object ID, so it shouldn't be a location.
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 unsigned H5Location::objVersion() const
 {
@@ -773,14 +799,14 @@ hid_t H5Location::openObjId(const H5std_string& obj_name, const LinkAccPropList&
 ///\brief       Closes an object, which was opened with H5Location::openObjId
 ///
 ///\exception   H5::LocationException
-// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - May, 2017
+// May, 2017
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-void H5Location::closeObjId(hid_t obj_id) const
+void H5Location::closeObjId(hid_t obj_id)
 {
     herr_t ret_value = H5Oclose(obj_id);
     if (ret_value < 0)
     {
-        throw LocationException(inMemFunc("closeObjId"), "H5Oclose failed");
+        throw Exception("closeObjId", "H5Oclose failed");
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/c++/src/H5Location.h b/c++/src/H5Location.h
index 12c3e8a..0316a53 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5Location.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5Location.h
@@ -115,8 +115,8 @@ class H5_DLLCPP H5Location : public IdComponent {
         hid_t openObjId(const char* name, const LinkAccPropList& lapl = LinkAccPropList::DEFAULT) const;
         hid_t openObjId(const H5std_string& name, const LinkAccPropList& lapl = LinkAccPropList::DEFAULT) const;
 
-        // Closes an object opened by openObjId().
-        void closeObjId(hid_t obj_id) const;
+        // Closes an object opened by openObjId()
+        static void closeObjId(hid_t obj_id);
 
         ///\brief Returns an identifier. (pure virtual)
         virtual hid_t getId() const = 0;
diff --git a/c++/src/H5StrcreatProp.cpp b/c++/src/H5StrcreatProp.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6237e2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/c++/src/H5StrcreatProp.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+/* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
+ * Copyright by The HDF Group.                                               *
+ * Copyright by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.         *
+ * All rights reserved.                                                      *
+ *                                                                           *
+ * This file is part of HDF5.  The full HDF5 copyright notice, including     *
+ * terms governing use, modification, and redistribution, is contained in    *
+ * the COPYING file, which can be found at the root of the source code       *
+ * distribution tree, or in https://support.hdfgroup.org/ftp/HDF5/releases.  *
+ * If you do not have access to either file, you may request a copy from     *
+ * help@hdfgroup.org.                                                        *
+ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
+
+#include <string>
+
+#include "H5Include.h"
+#include "H5Exception.h"
+#include "H5IdComponent.h"
+#include "H5PropList.h"
+#include "H5StrcreatProp.h"
+
+namespace H5 {
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    StrCreatPropList::setCharEncoding
+///\brief       Sets the character encoding of the string.
+///\exception   H5::PropListIException
+// March, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void StrCreatPropList::setCharEncoding(H5T_cset_t encoding) const
+{
+    herr_t ret_value = H5Pset_char_encoding(id, encoding);
+    // Throw exception if H5Pset_char_encoding returns failure
+    if (ret_value < 0)
+    {
+        throw PropListIException("setCharEncoding", "H5Pset_char_encoding failed");
+    }
+}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    StrCreatPropList::getCharEncoding
+///\brief       Gets the character encoding of the string.
+///\exception   H5::PropListIException
+// March, 2018
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+H5T_cset_t StrCreatPropList::getCharEncoding() const
+{
+    H5T_cset_t encoding;
+    herr_t ret_value = H5Pget_char_encoding(id, &encoding);
+    // Throw exception if H5Pget_char_encoding returns failure
+    if (ret_value < 0)
+    {
+        throw PropListIException("getCharEncoding", "H5Pget_char_encoding failed");
+    }
+    return(encoding);
+}
+
+} // end namespace
diff --git a/c++/src/H5StrcreatProp.h b/c++/src/H5StrcreatProp.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7b07dd6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/c++/src/H5StrcreatProp.h
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+// C++ informative line for the emacs editor: -*- C++ -*-
+/* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
+ * Copyright by The HDF Group.                                               *
+ * Copyright by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.         *
+ * All rights reserved.                                                      *
+ *                                                                           *
+ * This file is part of HDF5.  The full HDF5 copyright notice, including     *
+ * terms governing use, modification, and redistribution, is contained in    *
+ * the COPYING file, which can be found at the root of the source code       *
+ * distribution tree, or in https://support.hdfgroup.org/ftp/HDF5/releases.  *
+ * If you do not have access to either file, you may request a copy from     *
+ * help@hdfgroup.org.                                                        *
+ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
+
+#ifndef __H5StrCreatPropList_H
+#define __H5StrCreatPropList_H
+
+namespace H5 {
+
+// Class StrCreatPropList is not user-accessible.  It provides
+// wrappers for the HDF5 string creation properties.
+
+// Inheritance: PropList -> IdComponent
+class H5_DLLCPP StrCreatPropList : public PropList {
+   public:
+        // There is no StrCreatPropList::DEFAULT;
+
+        // Returns this class name.
+        virtual H5std_string fromClass () const { return("StrCreatPropList"); }
+
+        // Sets the character encoding of the string.
+        void setCharEncoding(H5T_cset_t encoding) const;
+
+        // Gets the character encoding of the string.
+        H5T_cset_t getCharEncoding() const;
+
+#ifndef DOXYGEN_SHOULD_SKIP_THIS
+    protected:
+        // Creates a link creation property list.
+        StrCreatPropList() {};
+
+        // Copy constructor: same as the original StrCreatPropList.
+        StrCreatPropList(const StrCreatPropList& original) {};
+
+        // Creates a copy of an existing link creation property list
+        // using the property list id.
+        StrCreatPropList(const hid_t plist_id) {};
+
+        // Noop destructor
+        virtual ~StrCreatPropList() {};
+
+#endif // DOXYGEN_SHOULD_SKIP_THIS
+}; // end of StrCreatPropList
+
+} // namespace H5
+
+#endif // __H5StrCreatPropList_H
diff --git a/c++/src/Makefile.am b/c++/src/Makefile.am
index 976d503..416a3d3 100644
--- a/c++/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/c++/src/Makefile.am
@@ -32,14 +32,15 @@ bin_SCRIPTS=h5c++
 
 # Source files for the library
 libhdf5_cpp_la_SOURCES=H5Exception.cpp H5IdComponent.cpp    \
-    H5DataSpace.cpp H5PropList.cpp H5Library.cpp        \
-    H5FaccProp.cpp H5FcreatProp.cpp H5LaccProp.cpp      \
-    H5DxferProp.cpp H5DcreatProp.cpp H5Location.cpp     \
-    H5AbstractDs.cpp H5Attribute.cpp H5Object.cpp       \
-    H5OcreatProp.cpp H5DataType.cpp H5AtomType.cpp      \
-    H5PredType.cpp H5EnumType.cpp H5IntType.cpp     \
-    H5FloatType.cpp H5StrType.cpp H5ArrayType.cpp       \
-    H5VarLenType.cpp H5CompType.cpp H5DataSet.cpp       \
+    H5DataSpace.cpp H5PropList.cpp H5Library.cpp        	\
+    H5FaccProp.cpp H5FcreatProp.cpp H5LaccProp.cpp      	\
+	H5StrcreatProp.cpp H5LcreatProp.cpp H5AcreatProp.cpp 	\
+    H5DxferProp.cpp H5DcreatProp.cpp H5Location.cpp     	\
+    H5AbstractDs.cpp H5Attribute.cpp H5Object.cpp       	\
+    H5OcreatProp.cpp H5DataType.cpp H5AtomType.cpp      	\
+    H5PredType.cpp H5EnumType.cpp H5IntType.cpp     		\
+    H5FloatType.cpp H5StrType.cpp H5ArrayType.cpp       	\
+    H5VarLenType.cpp H5CompType.cpp H5DataSet.cpp       	\
     H5CommonFG.cpp H5Group.cpp H5File.cpp
 
 # HDF5 C++ library depends on HDF5 Library.
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ include_HEADERS=H5Cpp.h H5AbstractDs.h H5AtomType.h H5Attribute.h H5Classes.h \
     H5OcreatProp.h H5DcreatProp.h H5DxferProp.h H5EnumType.h              \
     H5Exception.h H5FaccProp.h H5FcreatProp.h H5File.h H5FloatType.h      \
     H5Group.h H5IdComponent.h H5Include.h H5IntType.h H5LaccProp.h        \
+	H5StrcreatProp.h H5LcreatProp.h H5AcreatProp.h						  \
     H5Library.h H5Location.h H5Object.h H5PredType.h H5PropList.h         \
     H5StrType.h H5CppDoc.h H5ArrayType.h H5VarLenType.h
 
diff --git a/c++/src/Makefile.in b/c++/src/Makefile.in
index a566368..59ec075 100644
--- a/c++/src/Makefile.in
+++ b/c++/src/Makefile.in
@@ -151,7 +151,8 @@ LTLIBRARIES = $(lib_LTLIBRARIES)
 libhdf5_cpp_la_DEPENDENCIES = $(LIBHDF5)
 am_libhdf5_cpp_la_OBJECTS = H5Exception.lo H5IdComponent.lo \
 	H5DataSpace.lo H5PropList.lo H5Library.lo H5FaccProp.lo \
-	H5FcreatProp.lo H5LaccProp.lo H5DxferProp.lo H5DcreatProp.lo \
+	H5FcreatProp.lo H5LaccProp.lo H5StrcreatProp.lo \
+	H5LcreatProp.lo H5AcreatProp.lo H5DxferProp.lo H5DcreatProp.lo \
 	H5Location.lo H5AbstractDs.lo H5Attribute.lo H5Object.lo \
 	H5OcreatProp.lo H5DataType.lo H5AtomType.lo H5PredType.lo \
 	H5EnumType.lo H5IntType.lo H5FloatType.lo H5StrType.lo \
@@ -713,14 +714,15 @@ bin_SCRIPTS = h5c++
 
 # Source files for the library
 libhdf5_cpp_la_SOURCES = H5Exception.cpp H5IdComponent.cpp    \
-    H5DataSpace.cpp H5PropList.cpp H5Library.cpp        \
-    H5FaccProp.cpp H5FcreatProp.cpp H5LaccProp.cpp      \
-    H5DxferProp.cpp H5DcreatProp.cpp H5Location.cpp     \
-    H5AbstractDs.cpp H5Attribute.cpp H5Object.cpp       \
-    H5OcreatProp.cpp H5DataType.cpp H5AtomType.cpp      \
-    H5PredType.cpp H5EnumType.cpp H5IntType.cpp     \
-    H5FloatType.cpp H5StrType.cpp H5ArrayType.cpp       \
-    H5VarLenType.cpp H5CompType.cpp H5DataSet.cpp       \
+    H5DataSpace.cpp H5PropList.cpp H5Library.cpp        	\
+    H5FaccProp.cpp H5FcreatProp.cpp H5LaccProp.cpp      	\
+	H5StrcreatProp.cpp H5LcreatProp.cpp H5AcreatProp.cpp 	\
+    H5DxferProp.cpp H5DcreatProp.cpp H5Location.cpp     	\
+    H5AbstractDs.cpp H5Attribute.cpp H5Object.cpp       	\
+    H5OcreatProp.cpp H5DataType.cpp H5AtomType.cpp      	\
+    H5PredType.cpp H5EnumType.cpp H5IntType.cpp     		\
+    H5FloatType.cpp H5StrType.cpp H5ArrayType.cpp       	\
+    H5VarLenType.cpp H5CompType.cpp H5DataSet.cpp       	\
     H5CommonFG.cpp H5Group.cpp H5File.cpp
 
 
@@ -733,6 +735,7 @@ include_HEADERS = H5Cpp.h H5AbstractDs.h H5AtomType.h H5Attribute.h H5Classes.h
     H5OcreatProp.h H5DcreatProp.h H5DxferProp.h H5EnumType.h              \
     H5Exception.h H5FaccProp.h H5FcreatProp.h H5File.h H5FloatType.h      \
     H5Group.h H5IdComponent.h H5Include.h H5IntType.h H5LaccProp.h        \
+	H5StrcreatProp.h H5LcreatProp.h H5AcreatProp.h						  \
     H5Library.h H5Location.h H5Object.h H5PredType.h H5PropList.h         \
     H5StrType.h H5CppDoc.h H5ArrayType.h H5VarLenType.h
 
@@ -881,6 +884,7 @@ distclean-compile:
 	-rm -f *.tab.c
 
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5AbstractDs.Plo@am__quote@
+@AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5AcreatProp.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5ArrayType.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5AtomType.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5Attribute.Plo@am__quote@
@@ -901,6 +905,7 @@ distclean-compile:
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5IdComponent.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5IntType.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5LaccProp.Plo@am__quote@
+@AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5LcreatProp.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5Library.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5Location.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5Object.Plo@am__quote@
@@ -908,6 +913,7 @@ distclean-compile:
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5PredType.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5PropList.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5StrType.Plo@am__quote@
+@AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5StrcreatProp.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5VarLenType.Plo@am__quote@
 
 .cpp.o:
diff --git a/c++/test/tfile.cpp b/c++/test/tfile.cpp
index 059c548..23cf280 100644
--- a/c++/test/tfile.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/tfile.cpp
@@ -336,9 +336,12 @@ static void test_file_open()
         // Truncating should succeed now.
         H5File file3(FILE2, H5F_ACC_TRUNC);
 
-        // Opening another file to file3 object, FILE2 should be closed, so
-        // the next attempt to truncate FILE2 should succeed.
+        // Opening another file to file3 object.
         file3.openFile(FILE1, H5F_ACC_RDONLY);
+
+        // In the previous statement, openFile closes FILE2 first before
+        // opening FILE1, so when H5File constructs file4 with an
+        // attempt to truncate FILE2, it should succeed.
         H5File file4(FILE2, H5F_ACC_TRUNC);
 
         PASSED();
@@ -493,6 +496,17 @@ static void test_file_name()
         // Get and verify file name via a committed datatype.
         comp_type.getFileName();
         verify_val(file_name, FILE4, "CompType::getFileName", __LINE__, __FILE__);
+
+ /* file4.close();
+file4.openFile(FILE4, H5F_ACC_RDWR);
+ */ 
+        // Get the file's version information.
+        H5F_info_t finfo;
+        file4.getFileInfo(finfo);   // there's no C test for H5Fget_info
+  /*  cerr << "file4: super_ext_size = " << finfo.super_ext_size << endl;
+ */ 
+        //verify_val(finfo.sohm.hdr_size, 0, "H5File::getFileInfo", __LINE__, __FILE__);
+
         PASSED();
     }   // end of try block
 
@@ -503,6 +517,15 @@ static void test_file_name()
 }   // test_file_name()
 
 
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ *
+ * Function:    test_file_attribute
+ *
+ * Purpose      Test file attributes
+ *
+ * Return       None
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
 const int   RANK1 = 1;
 const int   ATTR1_DIM1 = 3;
 const H5std_string  FILE5("tfattrs.h5");
diff --git a/c++/test/tobject.cpp b/c++/test/tobject.cpp
index c053604..54d62f2 100644
--- a/c++/test/tobject.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/tobject.cpp
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ static void test_open_object_header()
         // There should be one object, the datatype
 
         // Close datatype object opened from the file
-        file1.closeObjId(obj_dtype);
+        H5Location::closeObjId(obj_dtype);
 
         dset.setId(obj_dset);
         dspace = dset.getSpace();
@@ -377,10 +377,10 @@ static void test_open_object_header()
         dtype.close();
 
         // Close datatype object
-        grp2.closeObjId(obj_dtype);
+        H5Location::closeObjId(obj_dtype);
 
         // Close the group object
-        file1.closeObjId(obj_grp);
+        H5Location::closeObjId(obj_grp);
 
         // Try doing something with group, the ID should still work
         num_objs = grp2.getNumObjs();