[svn-r16025] For scalar string datasets print the character position when a difference is found instead of a non-existing array position

Tested: windows

4 files changed, 745 insertions, 602 deletions

diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_70.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_70.txt
index 7871f8c..87f9beb 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_70.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_70.txt
@@ -11,19 +11,19 @@ attribute: <string of </>> and <string of </>>
 size:           [2]           [2]
 position        string of </>   string of </>   difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 ]          e                z                
+[ 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 ]            b            z
+[ 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 ]            e            z
 4 differences found
 attribute: <VLstring of </>> and <VLstring of </>>
 size:           [2]           [2]
 position        VLstring of </> VLstring of </> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 ]          e                z                
+[ 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 ]            b            z
+[ 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 ]            e            z
 4 differences found
 attribute: <bitfield of </>> and <bitfield of </>>
 size:           [2]           [2]
@@ -92,35 +92,35 @@ attribute: <string2D of </>> and <string2D of </>>
 size:           [3x2]           [3x2]
 position        string2D of </> string2D of </> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          l                z                
+[ 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 2 1 ]            l            z
 12 differences found
 attribute: <VLstring2D of </>> and <VLstring2D of </>>
 size:           [3x2]           [3x2]
 position        VLstring2D of </> VLstring2D of </> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          l                z                
+[ 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 2 1 ]            l            z
 12 differences found
 attribute: <bitfield2D of </>> and <bitfield2D of </>>
 size:           [3x2]           [3x2]
@@ -237,105 +237,105 @@ attribute: <string3D of </>> and <string3D of </>>
 size:           [4x3x2]           [4x3x2]
 position        string3D of </> string3D of </> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          l                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          m                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          n                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          p                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          q                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          r                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          s                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          t                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          u                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          v                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          w                z                
-[ 1 2 1 ]          x                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          A                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          B                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          C                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          D                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          E                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          F                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          G                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          H                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          I                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          J                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          K                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          L                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          M                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          N                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          P                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          Q                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          R                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          S                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          T                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          U                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          V                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          W                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          X                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          Z                z                
+[ 0 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            l            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            m            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            n            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            p            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            q            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            r            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            s            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            t            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            u            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            v            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            w            z
+[ 1 2 1 ]            x            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            A            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            B            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            C            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            D            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            E            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            F            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            G            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            H            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            I            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            J            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            K            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            L            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            M            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            N            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            P            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            Q            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            R            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            S            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            T            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            U            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            V            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            W            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            X            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            Z            z
 47 differences found
 attribute: <VLstring3D of </>> and <VLstring3D of </>>
 size:           [4x3x2]           [4x3x2]
 position        VLstring3D of </> VLstring3D of </> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          l                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          m                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          n                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          p                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          q                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          r                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          s                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          t                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          u                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          v                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          w                z                
-[ 1 2 1 ]          x                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          A                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          B                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          C                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          D                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          E                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          F                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          G                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          H                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          I                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          J                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          K                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          L                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          M                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          N                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          P                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          Q                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          R                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          S                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          T                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          U                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          V                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          W                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          X                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          Z                z                
+[ 0 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            l            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            m            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            n            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            p            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            q            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            r            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            s            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            t            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            u            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            v            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            w            z
+[ 1 2 1 ]            x            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            A            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            B            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            C            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            D            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            E            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            F            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            G            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            H            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            I            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            J            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            K            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            L            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            M            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            N            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            P            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            Q            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            R            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            S            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            T            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            U            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            V            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            W            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            X            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            Z            z
 47 differences found
 attribute: <bitfield3D of </>> and <bitfield3D of </>>
 size:           [4x3x2]           [4x3x2]
@@ -682,19 +682,19 @@ attribute: <string of </dset>> and <string of </dset>>
 size:           [2]           [2]
 position        string of </dset> string of </dset> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 ]          e                z                
+[ 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 ]            b            z
+[ 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 ]            e            z
 4 differences found
 attribute: <VLstring of </dset>> and <VLstring of </dset>>
 size:           [2]           [2]
 position        VLstring of </dset> VLstring of </dset> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 ]          e                z                
+[ 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 ]            b            z
+[ 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 ]            e            z
 4 differences found
 attribute: <bitfield of </dset>> and <bitfield of </dset>>
 size:           [2]           [2]
@@ -765,35 +765,35 @@ attribute: <string2D of </dset>> and <string2D of </dset>>
 size:           [3x2]           [3x2]
 position        string2D of </dset> string2D of </dset> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          l                z                
+[ 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 2 1 ]            l            z
 12 differences found
 attribute: <VLstring2D of </dset>> and <VLstring2D of </dset>>
 size:           [3x2]           [3x2]
 position        VLstring2D of </dset> VLstring2D of </dset> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          l                z                
+[ 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 2 1 ]            l            z
 12 differences found
 attribute: <bitfield2D of </dset>> and <bitfield2D of </dset>>
 size:           [3x2]           [3x2]
@@ -912,105 +912,105 @@ attribute: <string3D of </dset>> and <string3D of </dset>>
 size:           [4x3x2]           [4x3x2]
 position        string3D of </dset> string3D of </dset> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          l                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          m                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          n                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          p                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          q                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          r                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          s                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          t                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          u                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          v                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          w                z                
-[ 1 2 1 ]          x                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          A                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          B                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          C                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          D                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          E                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          F                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          G                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          H                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          I                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          J                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          K                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          L                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          M                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          N                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          P                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          Q                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          R                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          S                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          T                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          U                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          V                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          W                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          X                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          Z                z                
+[ 0 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            l            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            m            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            n            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            p            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            q            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            r            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            s            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            t            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            u            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            v            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            w            z
+[ 1 2 1 ]            x            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            A            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            B            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            C            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            D            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            E            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            F            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            G            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            H            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            I            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            J            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            K            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            L            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            M            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            N            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            P            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            Q            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            R            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            S            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            T            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            U            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            V            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            W            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            X            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            Z            z
 47 differences found
 attribute: <VLstring3D of </dset>> and <VLstring3D of </dset>>
 size:           [4x3x2]           [4x3x2]
 position        VLstring3D of </dset> VLstring3D of </dset> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          l                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          m                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          n                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          p                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          q                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          r                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          s                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          t                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          u                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          v                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          w                z                
-[ 1 2 1 ]          x                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          A                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          B                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          C                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          D                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          E                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          F                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          G                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          H                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          I                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          J                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          K                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          L                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          M                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          N                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          P                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          Q                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          R                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          S                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          T                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          U                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          V                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          W                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          X                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          Z                z                
+[ 0 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            l            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            m            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            n            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            p            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            q            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            r            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            s            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            t            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            u            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            v            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            w            z
+[ 1 2 1 ]            x            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            A            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            B            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            C            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            D            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            E            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            F            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            G            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            H            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            I            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            J            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            K            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            L            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            M            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            N            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            P            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            Q            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            R            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            S            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            T            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            U            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            V            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            W            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            X            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            Z            z
 47 differences found
 attribute: <bitfield3D of </dset>> and <bitfield3D of </dset>>
 size:           [4x3x2]           [4x3x2]
@@ -1360,19 +1360,19 @@ attribute: <string of </g1>> and <string of </g1>>
 size:           [2]           [2]
 position        string of </g1> string of </g1> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 ]          e                z                
+[ 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 ]            b            z
+[ 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 ]            e            z
 4 differences found
 attribute: <VLstring of </g1>> and <VLstring of </g1>>
 size:           [2]           [2]
 position        VLstring of </g1> VLstring of </g1> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 ]          e                z                
+[ 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 ]            b            z
+[ 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 ]            e            z
 4 differences found
 attribute: <bitfield of </g1>> and <bitfield of </g1>>
 size:           [2]           [2]
@@ -1441,35 +1441,35 @@ attribute: <string2D of </g1>> and <string2D of </g1>>
 size:           [3x2]           [3x2]
 position        string2D of </g1> string2D of </g1> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          l                z                
+[ 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 2 1 ]            l            z
 12 differences found
 attribute: <VLstring2D of </g1>> and <VLstring2D of </g1>>
 size:           [3x2]           [3x2]
 position        VLstring2D of </g1> VLstring2D of </g1> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          l                z                
+[ 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 2 1 ]            l            z
 12 differences found
 attribute: <bitfield2D of </g1>> and <bitfield2D of </g1>>
 size:           [3x2]           [3x2]
@@ -1586,105 +1586,105 @@ attribute: <string3D of </g1>> and <string3D of </g1>>
 size:           [4x3x2]           [4x3x2]
 position        string3D of </g1> string3D of </g1> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          l                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          m                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          n                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          p                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          q                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          r                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          s                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          t                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          u                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          v                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          w                z                
-[ 1 2 1 ]          x                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          A                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          B                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          C                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          D                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          E                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          F                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          G                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          H                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          I                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          J                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          K                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          L                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          M                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          N                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          P                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          Q                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          R                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          S                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          T                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          U                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          V                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          W                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          X                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          Z                z                
+[ 0 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            l            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            m            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            n            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            p            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            q            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            r            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            s            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            t            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            u            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            v            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            w            z
+[ 1 2 1 ]            x            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            A            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            B            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            C            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            D            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            E            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            F            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            G            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            H            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            I            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            J            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            K            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            L            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            M            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            N            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            P            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            Q            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            R            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            S            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            T            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            U            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            V            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            W            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            X            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            Z            z
 47 differences found
 attribute: <VLstring3D of </g1>> and <VLstring3D of </g1>>
 size:           [4x3x2]           [4x3x2]
 position        VLstring3D of </g1> VLstring3D of </g1> difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          l                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          m                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          n                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          p                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          q                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          r                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          s                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          t                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          u                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          v                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          w                z                
-[ 1 2 1 ]          x                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          A                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          B                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          C                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          D                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          E                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          F                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          G                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          H                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          I                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          J                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          K                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          L                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          M                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          N                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          P                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          Q                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          R                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          S                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          T                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          U                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          V                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          W                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          X                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          Z                z                
+[ 0 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            l            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            m            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            n            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            p            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            q            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            r            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            s            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            t            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            u            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            v            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            w            z
+[ 1 2 1 ]            x            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            A            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            B            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            C            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            D            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            E            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            F            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            G            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            H            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            I            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            J            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            K            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            L            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            M            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            N            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            P            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            Q            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            R            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            S            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            T            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            U            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            V            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            W            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            X            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            Z            z
 47 differences found
 attribute: <bitfield3D of </g1>> and <bitfield3D of </g1>>
 size:           [4x3x2]           [4x3x2]
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_80.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_80.txt
index 127ddb2..ad07ffa 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_80.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_80.txt
@@ -57,79 +57,79 @@ dataset: </g1/VLstring> and </g1/VLstring>
 size:           [2]           [2]
 position        VLstring        VLstring        difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 ]          e                z                
+[ 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 ]            b            z
+[ 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 ]            e            z
 4 differences found
 dataset: </g1/VLstring2D> and </g1/VLstring2D>
 size:           [3x2]           [3x2]
 position        VLstring2D      VLstring2D      difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          l                z                
+[ 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 2 1 ]            l            z
 12 differences found
 dataset: </g1/VLstring3D> and </g1/VLstring3D>
 size:           [4x3x2]           [4x3x2]
 position        VLstring3D      VLstring3D      difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          l                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          m                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          n                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          p                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          q                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          r                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          s                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          t                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          u                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          v                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          w                z                
-[ 1 2 1 ]          x                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          A                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          B                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          C                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          D                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          E                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          F                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          G                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          H                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          I                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          J                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          K                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          L                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          M                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          N                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          P                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          Q                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          R                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          S                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          T                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          U                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          V                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          W                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          X                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          Z                z                
+[ 0 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            l            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            m            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            n            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            p            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            q            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            r            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            s            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            t            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            u            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            v            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            w            z
+[ 1 2 1 ]            x            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            A            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            B            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            C            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            D            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            E            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            F            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            G            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            H            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            I            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            J            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            K            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            L            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            M            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            N            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            P            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            Q            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            R            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            S            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            T            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            U            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            V            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            W            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            X            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            Z            z
 47 differences found
 dataset: </g1/array> and </g1/array>
 size:           [2]           [2]
@@ -691,79 +691,79 @@ dataset: </g1/string> and </g1/string>
 size:           [2]           [2]
 position        string          string          difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 ]          e                z                
+[ 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 ]            b            z
+[ 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 ]            e            z
 4 differences found
 dataset: </g1/string2D> and </g1/string2D>
 size:           [3x2]           [3x2]
 position        string2D        string2D        difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 2 1 ]          l                z                
+[ 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 2 1 ]            l            z
 12 differences found
 dataset: </g1/string3D> and </g1/string3D>
 size:           [4x3x2]           [4x3x2]
 position        string3D        string3D        difference          
 ------------------------------------------------------------
-[ 0 0 0 ]          a                z                
-[ 0 0 0 ]          b                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          c                z                
-[ 0 0 1 ]          d                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          e                z                
-[ 0 1 0 ]          f                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          g                z                
-[ 0 1 1 ]          h                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          i                z                
-[ 0 2 0 ]          j                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          k                z                
-[ 0 2 1 ]          l                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          m                z                
-[ 1 0 0 ]          n                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          p                z                
-[ 1 0 1 ]          q                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          r                z                
-[ 1 1 0 ]          s                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          t                z                
-[ 1 1 1 ]          u                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          v                z                
-[ 1 2 0 ]          w                z                
-[ 1 2 1 ]          x                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          A                z                
-[ 2 0 0 ]          B                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          C                z                
-[ 2 0 1 ]          D                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          E                z                
-[ 2 1 0 ]          F                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          G                z                
-[ 2 1 1 ]          H                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          I                z                
-[ 2 2 0 ]          J                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          K                z                
-[ 2 2 1 ]          L                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          M                z                
-[ 3 0 0 ]          N                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          P                z                
-[ 3 0 1 ]          Q                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          R                z                
-[ 3 1 0 ]          S                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          T                z                
-[ 3 1 1 ]          U                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          V                z                
-[ 3 2 0 ]          W                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          X                z                
-[ 3 2 1 ]          Z                z                
+[ 0 0 0 ]            a            z
+[ 0 0 0 ]            b            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            c            z
+[ 0 0 1 ]            d            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            e            z
+[ 0 1 0 ]            f            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            g            z
+[ 0 1 1 ]            h            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            i            z
+[ 0 2 0 ]            j            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            k            z
+[ 0 2 1 ]            l            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            m            z
+[ 1 0 0 ]            n            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            p            z
+[ 1 0 1 ]            q            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            r            z
+[ 1 1 0 ]            s            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            t            z
+[ 1 1 1 ]            u            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            v            z
+[ 1 2 0 ]            w            z
+[ 1 2 1 ]            x            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            A            z
+[ 2 0 0 ]            B            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            C            z
+[ 2 0 1 ]            D            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            E            z
+[ 2 1 0 ]            F            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            G            z
+[ 2 1 1 ]            H            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            I            z
+[ 2 2 0 ]            J            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            K            z
+[ 2 2 1 ]            L            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            M            z
+[ 3 0 0 ]            N            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            P            z
+[ 3 0 1 ]            Q            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            R            z
+[ 3 1 0 ]            S            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            T            z
+[ 3 1 1 ]            U            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            V            z
+[ 3 2 0 ]            W            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            X            z
+[ 3 2 1 ]            Z            z
 47 differences found
 dataset: </g1/vlen> and </g1/vlen>
 size:           [2]           [2]
diff --git a/tools/lib/h5diff_array.c b/tools/lib/h5diff_array.c
index 02a260e..2476aaf 100644
--- a/tools/lib/h5diff_array.c
+++ b/tools/lib/h5diff_array.c
@@ -139,13 +139,18 @@ static int   not_comparable;
 static hsize_t diff_region(hid_t obj1_id, hid_t obj2_id,hid_t region1_id, hid_t region2_id, diff_opt_t *options);
 static hbool_t all_zero(const void *_mem, size_t size);
 static int     ull2float(unsigned long_long ull_value, float *f_value);
-static hsize_t character_compare(unsigned char *mem1,unsigned char *mem2,hsize_t i,int rank,hsize_t *dims,hsize_t *acc,hsize_t *pos,diff_opt_t *options,const char *obj1,const char *obj2,int *ph);
+static hsize_t character_compare(unsigned char *mem1,unsigned char *mem2,hsize_t i,unsigned u,int rank,hsize_t *dims,hsize_t *acc,hsize_t *pos,diff_opt_t *options,const char *obj1,const char *obj2,int *ph);
 static hsize_t character_compare_opt(unsigned char *mem1,unsigned char *mem2,hsize_t i,int rank,hsize_t *dims,hsize_t *acc,hsize_t *pos,diff_opt_t *options,const char *obj1,const char *obj2,int *ph);
 static hbool_t equal_float(float value, float expected);
 static hbool_t equal_double(double value, double expected);
 #if H5_SIZEOF_LONG_DOUBLE !=0
 static hbool_t equal_ldouble(long double value, long double expected);
 #endif
+static int print_data(diff_opt_t *options);
+static void print_pos(int *ph,int pp,hsize_t curr_pos,hsize_t *acc,hsize_t *pos,int rank,hsize_t *dims,const char *obj1,const char *obj2 );
+static void print_char_pos(int *ph,int pp,hsize_t curr_pos,unsigned u,hsize_t *acc,hsize_t *pos,int rank,hsize_t *dims,const char *obj1,const char *obj2 );
+static void h5diff_print_char(char ch);
+
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * NaN detection
@@ -161,93 +166,6 @@ typedef enum dtype_t
 
 static int my_isnan(dtype_t type, void *val);
 
-/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- *
- * Local functions
- *
- *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- */
-
-/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * Function: print_data
- *
- * Purpose: print data only in report or verbose modes, and do not print in quiet mode
- *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- */
-static
-int print_data(diff_opt_t *options)
-{
-    return ( (options->m_report || options->m_verbose) && !options->m_quiet)?1:0;
-}
-
-/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * Function: print_pos
- *
- * Purpose: print in matrix notation, converting from an array index position
- *
- *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- */
-
-static
-void print_pos( int        *ph,       /* print header */
-                int        pp,        /* print percentage */
-                hsize_t    curr_pos,
-                hsize_t    *acc,
-                hsize_t    *pos,
-                int        rank,
-                hsize_t    *dims,
-                const char *obj1,
-                const char *obj2 )
-{
-    int i;
-
-    /* print header */
-    if ( *ph==1 )
-    {
-        *ph=0;
-
-        parallel_print("%-16s","size:");
-        print_dimensions (rank,dims);
-        parallel_print("%-11s","");
-        print_dimensions (rank,dims);
-        parallel_print("\n");
-
-        if (pp)
-        {
-            parallel_print("%-15s %-15s %-15s %-15s %-15s\n",
-                "position",
-                (obj1!=NULL) ? obj1 : " ",
-                (obj2!=NULL) ? obj2 : " ",
-                "difference",
-                "relative");
-            parallel_print("------------------------------------------------------------------------\n");
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            parallel_print("%-15s %-15s %-15s %-20s\n",
-                "position",
-                (obj1!=NULL) ? obj1 : " ",
-                (obj2!=NULL) ? obj2 : " ",
-                "difference");
-            parallel_print("------------------------------------------------------------\n");
-        }
-    } /* end print header */
-
-    for ( i = 0; i < rank; i++)
-    {
-        pos[i] = curr_pos/acc[i];
-        curr_pos -= acc[i]*pos[i];
-    }
-    assert( curr_pos == 0 );
-
-    parallel_print("[ " );
-    for ( i = 0; i < rank; i++)
-    {
-        parallel_print(HSIZE_T_FORMAT, (unsigned long_long)pos[i]);
-        parallel_print(" ");
-    }
-    parallel_print("]" );
-}
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -558,6 +476,7 @@ hsize_t diff_datum(void       *_mem1,
                         mem1 + u,
                         mem2 + u, /* offset */
                         i,        /* index position */
+                        u,        /* string character position */
                         rank,
                         dims,
                         acc,
@@ -2676,6 +2595,7 @@ static
 hsize_t character_compare(unsigned char *mem1,
                   unsigned char *mem2,
                   hsize_t       i,
+                  unsigned      u,
                   int           rank,
                   hsize_t       *dims,
                   hsize_t       *acc,
@@ -2696,9 +2616,12 @@ hsize_t character_compare(unsigned char *mem1,
     {
         if ( print_data(options) )
         {
-            print_pos(ph,0,i,acc,pos,rank,dims,obj1,obj2);
-            parallel_print(SPACES);
-            parallel_print(C_FORMAT,temp1_uchar,temp2_uchar);
+            print_char_pos(ph,0,i,u,acc,pos,rank,dims,obj1,obj2);
+            parallel_print("            ");
+            h5diff_print_char(temp1_uchar);
+            parallel_print("            ");
+            h5diff_print_char(temp2_uchar);
+            parallel_print("\n");
         }
         nfound++;
     }
@@ -5561,3 +5484,215 @@ my_isnan(dtype_t type, void *val)
 
 
 
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ *
+ * Local functions
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function: print_data
+ *
+ * Purpose: print data only in report or verbose modes, and do not print in quiet mode
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static
+int print_data(diff_opt_t *options)
+{
+    return ( (options->m_report || options->m_verbose) && !options->m_quiet)?1:0;
+}
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function: print_pos
+ *
+ * Purpose: print in matrix notation, converting from an array index position
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+
+static
+void print_pos( int        *ph,       /* print header */
+                int        pp,        /* print percentage */
+                hsize_t    curr_pos,
+                hsize_t    *acc,
+                hsize_t    *pos,
+                int        rank,
+                hsize_t    *dims,
+                const char *obj1,
+                const char *obj2 )
+{
+    int i;
+
+    /* print header */
+    if ( *ph==1 )
+    {
+        *ph=0;
+
+        parallel_print("%-16s","size:");
+        print_dimensions (rank,dims);
+        parallel_print("%-11s","");
+        print_dimensions (rank,dims);
+        parallel_print("\n");
+
+        if (pp)
+        {
+            parallel_print("%-15s %-15s %-15s %-15s %-15s\n",
+                "position",
+                (obj1!=NULL) ? obj1 : " ",
+                (obj2!=NULL) ? obj2 : " ",
+                "difference",
+                "relative");
+            parallel_print("------------------------------------------------------------------------\n");
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            parallel_print("%-15s %-15s %-15s %-20s\n",
+                "position",
+                (obj1!=NULL) ? obj1 : " ",
+                (obj2!=NULL) ? obj2 : " ",
+                "difference");
+            parallel_print("------------------------------------------------------------\n");
+        }
+    } /* end print header */
+
+    for ( i = 0; i < rank; i++)
+    {
+        pos[i] = curr_pos/acc[i];
+        curr_pos -= acc[i]*pos[i];
+    }
+    assert( curr_pos == 0 );
+
+    if ( rank > 0 )
+    {
+        parallel_print("[ " );
+        for ( i = 0; i < rank; i++)
+        {
+            parallel_print(HSIZE_T_FORMAT, (unsigned long_long)pos[i]);
+            parallel_print(" ");
+        }
+        parallel_print("]" );
+    }
+}
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function: print_char_pos
+ *
+ * Purpose: print character position in string
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+
+static
+void print_char_pos( int        *ph,       /* print header */
+                     int        pp,        /* print percentage */
+                     hsize_t    curr_pos,
+                     unsigned   u,
+                     hsize_t    *acc,
+                     hsize_t    *pos,
+                     int        rank,
+                     hsize_t    *dims,
+                     const char *obj1,
+                     const char *obj2 )
+{
+    int i;
+
+    /* print header */
+    if ( *ph==1 )
+    {
+        *ph=0;
+
+        parallel_print("%-16s","size:");
+        print_dimensions (rank,dims);
+        parallel_print("%-11s","");
+        print_dimensions (rank,dims);
+        parallel_print("\n");
+
+        if (pp)
+        {
+            parallel_print("%-15s %-15s %-15s %-15s %-15s\n",
+                "position",
+                (obj1!=NULL) ? obj1 : " ",
+                (obj2!=NULL) ? obj2 : " ",
+                "difference",
+                "relative");
+            parallel_print("------------------------------------------------------------------------\n");
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            parallel_print("%-15s %-15s %-15s %-20s\n",
+                "position",
+                (obj1!=NULL) ? obj1 : " ",
+                (obj2!=NULL) ? obj2 : " ",
+                "difference");
+            parallel_print("------------------------------------------------------------\n");
+        }
+    } /* end print header */
+
+    for ( i = 0; i < rank; i++)
+    {
+        pos[i] = curr_pos/acc[i];
+        curr_pos -= acc[i]*pos[i];
+    }
+    assert( curr_pos == 0 );
+
+    parallel_print("[ " );
+    if ( rank > 0 )
+    {
+        
+        for ( i = 0; i < rank; i++)
+        {
+            parallel_print(HSIZE_T_FORMAT, (unsigned long_long)pos[i]);
+            parallel_print(" ");
+        }
+        
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        parallel_print("%u", (unsigned)u);
+    }
+    parallel_print("]" );
+}
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:    h5diff_print_char. Adapted from h5tools_print_char
+ *
+ * Purpose: Print a char
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static void h5diff_print_char(char ch)
+{
+    
+    switch (ch) 
+    {
+    case '"':
+        parallel_print("\\\"");
+        break;
+    case '\\':
+        parallel_print( "\\\\");
+        break;
+    case '\b':
+        parallel_print("\\b");
+        break;
+    case '\f':
+        parallel_print("\\f");
+        break;
+    case '\n':
+        parallel_print("\\n");
+        break;
+    case '\r':
+        parallel_print("\\r");
+        break;
+    case '\t':
+        parallel_print("\\t");
+        break;
+    default:
+        if (isprint(ch))
+            parallel_print( "%c", ch);
+        else
+            parallel_print( "\\%03o", ch);
+        
+        break;
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tools/lib/h5diff_util.c b/tools/lib/h5diff_util.c
index 223d591..c84173d 100644
--- a/tools/lib/h5diff_util.c
+++ b/tools/lib/h5diff_util.c
@@ -103,16 +103,24 @@ void
 print_dimensions (int rank, hsize_t *dims)
 {
     int  i;
+
+    if ( rank > 0 )
+    {
+        
+        parallel_print("[" );
+        for ( i = 0; i < rank-1; i++)
+        {
+            parallel_print(HSIZE_T_FORMAT, dims[i]);
+            parallel_print("x");
+        }
         
-    parallel_print("[" );
-    for ( i = 0; i < rank-1; i++)
+        parallel_print(HSIZE_T_FORMAT,  dims[rank-1]);
+        parallel_print("]" );
+    }
+    else
     {
-        parallel_print(HSIZE_T_FORMAT, dims[i]);
-        parallel_print("x");
+        parallel_print("H5S_SCALAR" );
     }
-    
-    parallel_print(HSIZE_T_FORMAT,  dims[rank-1]);
-    parallel_print("]" );
 
 }