Merging in latest from upstream (HDFFV/hdf5:refs/heads/hdf5_1_8)

* commit '9c8d0e1afce7d9d31115972902e9030a000daefa':
  Snapshot version 1.8 release 20 (snap7)
  Update about C++ documentation
  Adding new C++ wrappers Description:     - Added overloaded wrappers for H5Oget_info and H5Oget_info_by_name         // Retrieves information about an object         void getObjectInfo(H5O_info_t *oinfo) const;         void getObjectInfo(const char *name, H5O_info_t *oinfo,                 const LinkAccPropList& lapl = LinkAccPropList::DEFAULT) const;         void getObjectInfo(const H5std_string& name, H5O_info_t *oinfo,                 const LinkAccPropList& lapl = LinkAccPropList::DEFAULT) const;     - Many miscellaneous cleanup for consistent appearance Platforms tested:     Linux/32 2.6 (jam)     Linux/64 (platypus)     Darwin (osx1010test)
  Snapshot version 1.8 release 20 (snap7)

24 files changed, 437 insertions, 421 deletions

diff --git a/README.txt b/README.txt
index d7d4ec0..fc5bda1 100644
--- a/README.txt
+++ b/README.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-HDF5 version 1.8.20-snap7 currently under development
+HDF5 version 1.8.20-snap8 currently under development
 Please refer to the release_docs/INSTALL file for installation instructions.
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/c++/src/H5Location.cpp b/c++/src/H5Location.cpp
index 4ef5d82..afeaca7 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5Location.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5Location.cpp
@@ -95,7 +95,8 @@ May, 2017 (1.8.19)
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::createAttribute
-///\brief       Deprecated - Creates an attribute for a group, dataset, or named datatype.
+///\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
 ///\param       data_space - IN: Dataspace for the attribute - only simple
@@ -134,7 +135,8 @@ Attribute H5Location::createAttribute(const char* name, const DataType& data_typ
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::createAttribute
-///\brief       Deprecated - This is an overloaded member function, provided for convenience.
+///\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
@@ -146,7 +148,8 @@ Attribute H5Location::createAttribute(const H5std_string& name, const DataType&
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::openAttribute
-///\brief       Deprecated - Opens an attribute given its name.
+///\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
@@ -169,9 +172,11 @@ Attribute H5Location::openAttribute(const char* name) const
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::openAttribute
-///\brief       Deprecated - 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.
+///\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
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Attribute H5Location::openAttribute(const H5std_string& name) const
@@ -181,7 +186,8 @@ Attribute H5Location::openAttribute(const H5std_string& name) const
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::openAttribute
-///\brief       Deprecated - Opens an attribute given its index.
+///\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
@@ -205,7 +211,7 @@ Attribute H5Location::openAttribute(const unsigned int idx) const
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::iterateAttrs
-///\brief       Deprecated - Iterates a user's function over all the attributes of an H5
+///\brief       Iterates a user's function over all the attributes of an H5
 ///             object, which may be a group, dataset or named datatype.
 ///\param       user_op - IN: User's function to operate on each attribute
 ///\param       _idx - IN/OUT: Starting (IN) and ending (OUT) attribute indices
@@ -250,7 +256,8 @@ int H5Location::iterateAttrs(attr_operator_t user_op, unsigned *_idx, void *op_d
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::attrExists
-///\brief       Deprecated - Checks whether the named attribute exists at this location.
+///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::attrExists()
+//  brief       Checks whether the named attribute exists at this location.
 ///\param       name - IN: Name of the attribute to be queried
 ///\exception   H5::AttributeIException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2013
@@ -271,10 +278,12 @@ bool H5Location::attrExists(const char* name) const
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::attrExists
-///\brief       Deprecated - 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
+///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::attrExists()
+//  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 to be queried
+// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2013
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 bool H5Location::attrExists(const H5std_string& name) const
 {
@@ -283,7 +292,8 @@ bool H5Location::attrExists(const H5std_string& name) const
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::removeAttr
-///\brief       Deprecated - Removes the named attribute from this object.
+///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::removeAttr()
+//  brief       Removes the named attribute from this object.
 ///\param       name - IN: Name of the attribute to be removed
 ///\exception   H5::AttributeIException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
@@ -297,9 +307,11 @@ void H5Location::removeAttr(const char* name) const
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::removeAttr
-///\brief       Deprecated - 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.
+///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::removeAttr()
+//  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 to be removed
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void H5Location::removeAttr(const H5std_string& name) const
@@ -309,7 +321,8 @@ void H5Location::removeAttr(const H5std_string& name) const
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::renameAttr
-///\brief       Deprecated - Renames the named attribute from this object.
+///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::renameAttr()
+//  brief       Renames the named attribute from this object.
 ///\param       oldname - IN: Name of the attribute to be renamed
 ///\param       newname - IN: New name ame of the attribute
 ///\exception   H5::AttributeIException
@@ -324,10 +337,13 @@ void H5Location::renameAttr(const char* oldname, const char* newname) const
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::renameAttr
-///\brief       Deprecated - 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 the names.
-///
+///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::renameAttr()
+//  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 the names.
+//
+///\param       oldname - IN: Name of the attribute to be renamed
+///\param       newname - IN: New name ame of the attribute
 ///\exception   H5::AttributeIException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Mar, 2005
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -338,8 +354,8 @@ void H5Location::renameAttr(const H5std_string& oldname, const H5std_string& new
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::getNumAttrs
-///\brief       Deprecated - Returns the number of attributes attached to
-///                          this HDF5 object.
+///\brief       Deprecated - replaced by H5Object::getNumAttrs()
+//  brief       Returns the number of attributes attached to this HDF5 object.
 ///\return      Number of attributes
 ///\exception   H5::AttributeIException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - 2000
@@ -348,18 +364,18 @@ void H5Location::renameAttr(const H5std_string& oldname, const H5std_string& new
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 int H5Location::getNumAttrs() const
 {
-   H5O_info_t oinfo;    /* Object info */
+   H5O_info_t objinfo;    /* Object info */
 
-    if(H5Oget_info(getId(), &oinfo) < 0)
+    if(H5Oget_info(getId(), &objinfo) < 0)
         throw AttributeIException(inMemFunc("getNumAttrs"), "H5Oget_info failed");
     else
-        return(static_cast<int>(oinfo.num_attrs));
+        return(static_cast<int>(objinfo.num_attrs));
 }
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::nameExists
-///\brief       Checks if a link of a given name exists in a location
-///\param       name - IN: Searched name
+///\brief       Checks if a link of a given name exists in a location.
+///\param       name - IN: Searched name - \c char*
 ///\param       lapl - IN: Link access property list
 ///\exception   H5::LocationException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Nov, 2016
@@ -380,8 +396,8 @@ bool H5Location::nameExists(const char* name, const LinkAccPropList& lapl) const
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::nameExists
-///\brief       Checks if a link of a given name exists in a location
-///\param       name - IN: Searched name
+///\brief       Checks if a link of a given name exists in a location.
+///\param       name - IN: Searched name - \c H5std_string
 ///\param       lapl - IN: Link access property list
 ///\exception   H5::LocationException
 // Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Dec, 2016
@@ -434,6 +450,53 @@ 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
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void H5Location::getObjectInfo(H5O_info_t *objinfo) const
+{
+    herr_t ret_value = H5Oget_info(getId(), objinfo);
+    if (ret_value < 0)
+    {
+        throw LocationException(inMemFunc("getObjectInfo"), "H5Oget_info failed");
+    }
+}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    H5Location::getObjectInfo
+///\brief       Retrieve information about an object, specified by name.
+///\exception   H5::LocationException
+// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Aug, 2017
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void H5Location::getObjectInfo(const char *name, H5O_info_t *objinfo,
+                        const LinkAccPropList& lapl) const
+{
+    herr_t ret_value = H5Oget_info_by_name(getId(), name, objinfo, lapl.getId());
+    if (ret_value < 0)
+    {
+        throw LocationException(inMemFunc("getObjectInfo"), "H5Oget_info_by_name failed");
+    }
+}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Function:    H5Location::getObjectInfo
+///\brief       Retrieve information about an object, specified by name.
+///\exception   H5::LocationException
+// Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler - Aug, 2017
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void H5Location::getObjectInfo(const H5std_string& name, H5O_info_t *objinfo,
+                        const LinkAccPropList& lapl) const
+{
+    herr_t ret_value = H5Oget_info_by_name(getId(), name.c_str(), objinfo, lapl.getId());
+    if (ret_value < 0)
+    {
+        throw LocationException(inMemFunc("getObjectInfo"), "H5Oget_info_by_name failed");
+    }
+}
+
+//--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Function:    H5Location::objVersion
 ///\brief       Returns the header version of this HDF5 object.
 ///\return      Object version, which can have the following values:
diff --git a/c++/src/H5Location.h b/c++/src/H5Location.h
index 7a54c2b..12c3e8a 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5Location.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5Location.h
@@ -51,6 +51,15 @@ class H5_DLLCPP H5Location : public IdComponent {
         // Gets the name of the file, specified by this location.
         H5std_string getFileName() const;
 
+        // Retrieves information about an object at this location
+            // specified by location
+        void getObjectInfo(H5O_info_t *oinfo) const;
+            // specified by the object's name
+        void getObjectInfo(const char *name, H5O_info_t *oinfo,
+                const LinkAccPropList& lapl = LinkAccPropList::DEFAULT) const;
+        void getObjectInfo(const H5std_string& name, H5O_info_t *oinfo,
+                const LinkAccPropList& lapl = LinkAccPropList::DEFAULT) const;
+
         // Determines the number of attributes at this location.
         // - moved to H5Object (1.8.20)
         int getNumAttrs() const;    // Deprecated
diff --git a/c++/src/cpp_doc_config b/c++/src/cpp_doc_config
index 3c4c609..8b950eb 100644
--- a/c++/src/cpp_doc_config
+++ b/c++/src/cpp_doc_config
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ PROJECT_NAME           = "HDF5 C++ API"
 # could be handy for archiving the generated documentation or if some version
 # control system is used.
 
-PROJECT_NUMBER         = "1.8.20-snap7, currently under development"
+PROJECT_NUMBER         = "1.8.20-snap8, currently under development"
 
 # Using the PROJECT_BRIEF tag one can provide an optional one line description
 # for a project that appears at the top of each page and should give viewer a
diff --git a/c++/test/dsets.cpp b/c++/test/dsets.cpp
index f534e33..8d2618b 100644
--- a/c++/test/dsets.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/dsets.cpp
@@ -28,16 +28,12 @@
 #else
 #include <iostream>
 #endif
-#include <string>
-
-#ifndef H5_NO_STD
-    using std::cerr;
-    using std::endl;
-#endif  // H5_NO_STD
+using std::cerr;
+using std::endl;
 
+#include <string>
 #include "H5Cpp.h"      // C++ API header file
-
-    using namespace H5;
+using namespace H5;
 
 #include "h5cpputil.h"  // C++ utilility header file
 
@@ -70,8 +66,6 @@ static size_t filter_bogus(unsigned int flags, size_t cd_nelmts,
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              Friday, January 5, 2001
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static herr_t
@@ -202,8 +196,6 @@ test_create( H5File& file)
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              Friday, January 5, 2001
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static herr_t
@@ -288,8 +280,6 @@ test_simple_io( H5File& file)
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              Thursday, March 22, 2012
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static herr_t
@@ -358,8 +348,6 @@ test_datasize(FileAccPropList &fapl)
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              Friday, January 5, 2001
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static herr_t
@@ -452,8 +440,6 @@ const H5Z_class2_t H5Z_BOGUS[1] = {{
  * Programmer:  Robb Matzke
  *              Tuesday, April 21, 1998
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static size_t
@@ -481,8 +467,6 @@ filter_bogus(unsigned int flags, size_t cd_nelmts,
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              Friday, January 5, 2001
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static herr_t
@@ -884,8 +868,6 @@ static herr_t test_nbit_compression(H5File& file)
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              Saturday, February 17, 2001
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static herr_t
@@ -966,8 +948,6 @@ test_multiopen (H5File& file)
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              February 17, 2001
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static herr_t
@@ -1223,8 +1203,6 @@ void test_dset()
  *
  * Programmer:  (use C version)
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
diff --git a/c++/test/h5cpputil.cpp b/c++/test/h5cpputil.cpp
index ec35821..9f81895 100644
--- a/c++/test/h5cpputil.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/h5cpputil.cpp
@@ -24,17 +24,14 @@
 #else
 #include <iostream>
 #endif
-#include <string>
-
-#ifndef H5_NO_STD
-    using std::cerr;
-    using std::endl;
-#endif  // H5_NO_STD
+using std::cerr;
+using std::endl;
 
-#include "h5test.h"
-#include "H5Cpp.h"
+#include <string>
+#include "H5Cpp.h"      // C++ API header file
 using namespace H5;
 
+#include "h5test.h"
 #include "h5cpputil.h"
 
 
@@ -52,8 +49,6 @@ using namespace H5;
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C code segment for reporting tests)
  *              Friday, February 6, 2001
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 int test_report( int nerrors, const H5std_string& testname )
@@ -140,8 +135,6 @@ void issue_fail_msg(const char* where, int line, const char* file_name,
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C code segment for checking values)
  *              Friday, February 6, 2001
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 int check_values (hsize_t i, hsize_t j, int apoint, int acheck)
@@ -170,8 +163,6 @@ int check_values (hsize_t i, hsize_t j, int apoint, int acheck)
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              May 2, 2010
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 void verify_val(const char* x, const char* value, const char* where, int line, const char* file_name)
diff --git a/c++/test/tarray.cpp b/c++/test/tarray.cpp
index c07ba42..218e4e5 100644
--- a/c++/test/tarray.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/tarray.cpp
@@ -22,19 +22,17 @@
 #else
 #include <iostream>
 #endif
-#include <string>
-
-#ifndef H5_NO_STD
-    using std::cerr;
-    using std::endl;
-#endif  // H5_NO_STD
+using std::cerr;
+using std::endl;
 
+#include <string>
 #include "H5Cpp.h"      // C++ API header file
 using namespace H5;
 
 #include "h5cpputil.h"  // C++ utilility header file
 
 const H5std_string    FILENAME("tarray.h5");
+const H5std_string    ARRAYTYPE_NAME("/Array type 1");
 const int SPACE1_RANK = 1;
 const hsize_t SPACE1_DIM1 = 4;
 const int ARRAY1_RANK = 1;
@@ -60,8 +58,6 @@ typedef enum int_t {
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              January, 2016
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_array_compound_array()
@@ -131,9 +127,22 @@ static void test_array_compound_array()
         // Write dataset to disk
         dataset.write(wdata, arrtype);
 
+        // Test opening ArrayType with opening constructor (Dec 2016)
+
+        // Commit the arrtype to give it a name
+        arrtype.commit(file1, ARRAYTYPE_NAME);
+
+        // Close it, then re-open with the opening constructor
+        arrtype.close();
+        ArrayType named_type(file1, ARRAYTYPE_NAME);
+
+        // Get and verify the type's name
+        H5std_string type_name = named_type.getObjName();
+        verify_val(type_name, ARRAYTYPE_NAME, "DataType::getObjName tests constructor", __LINE__, __FILE__);
+        named_type.close();
+
         // Close all
         dataset.close();
-        arrtype.close();
         space.close();
         file1.close();
 
@@ -282,8 +291,6 @@ static void test_array_compound_array()
  * Description:
  *              Used user's sample code in HDFFV-9562
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 /*
@@ -353,8 +360,6 @@ static void test_array_assignment()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              April, 2016
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_array_info()
@@ -499,8 +504,6 @@ void test_array()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              January, 2016
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
diff --git a/c++/test/tattr.cpp b/c++/test/tattr.cpp
index e3526c6..d97d478 100644
--- a/c++/test/tattr.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/tattr.cpp
@@ -23,13 +23,10 @@
 #else
 #include <iostream>
 #endif
-#include <string>
-
-#ifndef H5_NO_STD
-    using std::cerr;
-    using std::endl;
-#endif  // H5_NO_STD
+using std::cerr;
+using std::endl;
 
+#include <string>
 #include "H5Cpp.h"      // C++ API header file
 using namespace H5;
 
@@ -1290,6 +1287,14 @@ static void test_attr_dtype_shared()
         // Commit datatype to file
         dtype.commit(fid1, TYPE1_NAME);
 
+        // Retrieve and verify information about the type
+        H5O_info_t oinfo;
+        fid1.getObjectInfo(TYPE1_NAME, &oinfo);
+        if (oinfo.type != H5O_TYPE_NAMED_DATATYPE)
+            TestErrPrintf("Line %d: object type wrong!\n", __LINE__);
+        verify_val(oinfo.num_attrs, 0, "DataType::getObjinfo reference count", __LINE__, __FILE__);
+        verify_val((int)oinfo.rc, 1, "DataType::getObjinfo reference count", __LINE__, __FILE__);
+
 #ifndef H5_NO_DEPRECATED_SYMBOLS
         // Check reference count on named datatype
         fid1.getObjinfo(TYPE1_NAME, statbuf);
@@ -1879,8 +1884,6 @@ void test_attr()
  * Programmer:  Albert Cheng
  *              July 2, 1998
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
diff --git a/c++/test/tcompound.cpp b/c++/test/tcompound.cpp
index 09134ed..ce2d061 100644
--- a/c++/test/tcompound.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/tcompound.cpp
@@ -22,24 +22,21 @@
 #else
 #include <iostream>
 #endif
-#include <string>
-
-#ifndef H5_NO_STD
-    using std::cerr;
-    using std::endl;
-#endif  // H5_NO_STD
+using std::cerr;
+using std::endl;
 
+#include <string>
 #include "H5Cpp.h"      // C++ API header file
 using namespace H5;
 
 #include "h5cpputil.h"  // C++ utilility header file
 
 /* Number of elements in each test */
-#define NTESTELEM       100000
+#define NTESTELEM 100000
 
 typedef struct complex_t {
-    double                  re;
-    double                  im;
+    double re;
+    double im;
 } complex_t;
 
 
@@ -53,8 +50,6 @@ typedef struct complex_t {
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              January, 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_compound_1()
@@ -90,8 +85,6 @@ static void test_compound_1()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
  *              January, 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_compound_2()
@@ -103,11 +96,11 @@ static void test_compound_2()
         int e, d, c[4], b, a;
     } dst_typ_t;
 
-    src_typ_t     *s_ptr;
-    dst_typ_t     *d_ptr;
-    const int      nelmts = NTESTELEM;
-    const hsize_t  four = 4;
-    int            i;
+    src_typ_t *s_ptr;
+    dst_typ_t *d_ptr;
+    const int nelmts = NTESTELEM;
+    const hsize_t four = 4;
+    int i;
     unsigned char *buf = NULL, *orig = NULL, *bkg = NULL;
     ArrayType *array_dt = NULL;
 
@@ -115,9 +108,9 @@ static void test_compound_2()
     SUBTEST("Compound Element Reordering");
     try {
         // Sizes should be the same, but be careful just in case
-        buf = (unsigned char*)malloc(nelmts * MAX(sizeof(src_typ_t), sizeof(dst_typ_t)));
-        bkg = (unsigned char*)malloc(nelmts * sizeof(dst_typ_t));
-        orig = (unsigned char*)malloc(nelmts * sizeof(src_typ_t));
+        buf = (unsigned char*)HDmalloc(nelmts * MAX(sizeof(src_typ_t), sizeof(dst_typ_t)));
+        bkg = (unsigned char*)HDmalloc(nelmts * sizeof(dst_typ_t));
+        orig = (unsigned char*)HDmalloc(nelmts * sizeof(src_typ_t));
         for (i=0; i<nelmts; i++) {
             s_ptr = ((src_typ_t*)orig) + i;
             s_ptr->a    = i*8+0;
@@ -183,9 +176,9 @@ static void test_compound_2()
             }
         }
         // Release resources
-        free(buf);
-        free(bkg);
-        free(orig);
+        HDfree(buf);
+        HDfree(bkg);
+        HDfree(orig);
         s_ptr = NULL;
         d_ptr = NULL;
         st.close();
@@ -215,8 +208,6 @@ static void test_compound_2()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
  *              January, 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_compound_3()
@@ -228,11 +219,11 @@ static void test_compound_3()
         int a,    c[4],    e;
     } dst_typ_t;
 
-    src_typ_t     *s_ptr;
-    dst_typ_t     *d_ptr;
-    int            i;
-    const int      nelmts = NTESTELEM;
-    const hsize_t  four = 4;
+    src_typ_t *s_ptr;
+    dst_typ_t *d_ptr;
+    int i;
+    const int nelmts = NTESTELEM;
+    const hsize_t four = 4;
     unsigned char *buf = NULL, *orig = NULL, *bkg = NULL;
     ArrayType* array_dt = NULL;
 
@@ -240,9 +231,9 @@ static void test_compound_3()
     SUBTEST("Compound Datatype Subset Conversions");
     try {
         /* Initialize */
-        buf = (unsigned char*)malloc(nelmts * MAX(sizeof(src_typ_t), sizeof(dst_typ_t)));
-        bkg = (unsigned char*)malloc(nelmts * sizeof(dst_typ_t));
-        orig = (unsigned char*)malloc(nelmts * sizeof(src_typ_t));
+        buf = (unsigned char*)HDmalloc(nelmts * MAX(sizeof(src_typ_t), sizeof(dst_typ_t)));
+        bkg = (unsigned char*)HDmalloc(nelmts * sizeof(dst_typ_t));
+        orig = (unsigned char*)HDmalloc(nelmts * sizeof(src_typ_t));
         for (i=0; i<nelmts; i++) {
             s_ptr = ((src_typ_t*)orig) + i;
             s_ptr->a    = i*8+0;
@@ -305,9 +296,9 @@ static void test_compound_3()
         } // for
 
         /* Release resources */
-        free(buf);
-        free(bkg);
-        free(orig);
+        HDfree(buf);
+        HDfree(bkg);
+        HDfree(orig);
         s_ptr = NULL;
         d_ptr = NULL;
         st.close();
@@ -337,8 +328,6 @@ static void test_compound_3()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
  *              January, 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_compound_4()
@@ -355,11 +344,11 @@ static void test_compound_4()
         int e;
     } dst_typ_t;
 
-    src_typ_t     *s_ptr;
-    dst_typ_t     *d_ptr;
-    int            i;
-    const int      nelmts = NTESTELEM;
-    const hsize_t  four = 4;
+    src_typ_t *s_ptr;
+    dst_typ_t *d_ptr;
+    int i;
+    const int nelmts = NTESTELEM;
+    const hsize_t four = 4;
     unsigned char *buf = NULL, *orig = NULL, *bkg = NULL;
     ArrayType* array_dt = NULL;
 
@@ -367,9 +356,9 @@ static void test_compound_4()
     SUBTEST("Compound Element Shrinking & Reordering");
     try {
         /* Sizes should be the same, but be careful just in case */
-        buf = (unsigned char*)malloc(nelmts * MAX(sizeof(src_typ_t), sizeof(dst_typ_t)));
-        bkg = (unsigned char*)malloc(nelmts * sizeof(dst_typ_t));
-        orig = (unsigned char*)malloc(nelmts * sizeof(src_typ_t));
+        buf = (unsigned char*)HDmalloc(nelmts * MAX(sizeof(src_typ_t), sizeof(dst_typ_t)));
+        bkg = (unsigned char*)HDmalloc(nelmts * sizeof(dst_typ_t));
+        orig = (unsigned char*)HDmalloc(nelmts * sizeof(src_typ_t));
         for (i=0; i<nelmts; i++) {
             s_ptr = ((src_typ_t*)orig) + i;
             s_ptr->a    = i*8+0;
@@ -378,7 +367,7 @@ static void test_compound_4()
             s_ptr->c[1] = i*8+3;
             s_ptr->c[2] = i*8+4;
             s_ptr->c[3] = i*8+5;
-            s_ptr->d        = (i*8+6) & 0x7fff;
+            s_ptr->d    = (i*8+6) & 0x7fff;
             s_ptr->e    = i*8+7;
         }
         memcpy(buf, orig, nelmts*sizeof(src_typ_t));
@@ -437,9 +426,9 @@ static void test_compound_4()
         } // for
 
         /* Release resources */
-        free(buf);
-        free(bkg);
-        free(orig);
+        HDfree(buf);
+        HDfree(bkg);
+        HDfree(orig);
         s_ptr = NULL;
         d_ptr = NULL;
         st.close();
@@ -470,8 +459,6 @@ static void test_compound_4()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
  *              January, 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_compound_5()
@@ -488,12 +475,12 @@ static void test_compound_5()
         int     coll_ids[4];
     } dst_typ_t;
 
-    hsize_t      dims[1] = {4};
-    src_typ_t  src[2] = {{"one", 102, {104, 105, 106, 107}},
-                          {"two", 202, {204, 205, 206, 207}}};
-    dst_typ_t  *dst;
-    void        *buf = calloc(2, sizeof(dst_typ_t));
-    void        *bkg = calloc(2, sizeof(dst_typ_t));
+    hsize_t dims[1] = {4};
+    src_typ_t src[2] = {{"one", 102, {104, 105, 106, 107}},
+                        {"two", 202, {204, 205, 206, 207}}};
+    dst_typ_t *dst;
+    void *buf = HDcalloc(2, sizeof(dst_typ_t));
+    void *bkg = HDcalloc(2, sizeof(dst_typ_t));
     ArrayType* array_dt = NULL;
 
     // Output message about test being performed
@@ -545,8 +532,8 @@ static void test_compound_5()
         { H5_FAILED(); }
 
         /* Free memory buffers */
-        free(buf);
-        free(bkg);
+        HDfree(buf);
+        HDfree(bkg);
         dst = NULL;
         PASSED();
     }   // end of try block
@@ -573,8 +560,6 @@ static void test_compound_5()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
  *              January, 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_compound_6()
@@ -589,23 +574,23 @@ static void test_compound_6()
         long d;
     } dst_typ_t;
 
-    src_typ_t     *s_ptr;
-    dst_typ_t     *d_ptr;
-    int            i;
-    const int      nelmts = NTESTELEM;
+    src_typ_t *s_ptr;
+    dst_typ_t *d_ptr;
+    int i;
+    const int nelmts = NTESTELEM;
     unsigned char *buf=NULL, *orig=NULL, *bkg=NULL;
 
     // Output message about test being performed
     SUBTEST("Compound Element Growing");
     try {
         /* Sizes should be the same, but be careful just in case */
-        buf = (unsigned char*)malloc(nelmts * MAX(sizeof(src_typ_t), sizeof(dst_typ_t)));
-        bkg = (unsigned char*)malloc(nelmts * sizeof(dst_typ_t));
-        orig = (unsigned char*)malloc(nelmts * sizeof(src_typ_t));
+        buf = (unsigned char*)HDmalloc(nelmts * MAX(sizeof(src_typ_t), sizeof(dst_typ_t)));
+        bkg = (unsigned char*)HDmalloc(nelmts * sizeof(dst_typ_t));
+        orig = (unsigned char*)HDmalloc(nelmts * sizeof(src_typ_t));
         for (i=0; i<nelmts; i++) {
             s_ptr = ((src_typ_t*)orig) + i;
-            s_ptr->b    = (i*8+1) & 0x7fff;
-            s_ptr->d    = (i*8+6) & 0x7fff;
+            s_ptr->b = (i*8+1) & 0x7fff;
+            s_ptr->d = (i*8+6) & 0x7fff;
         }
         memcpy(buf, orig, nelmts*sizeof(src_typ_t));
 
@@ -638,9 +623,9 @@ static void test_compound_6()
         } // for
 
         /* Release resources */
-        free(buf);
-        free(bkg);
-        free(orig);
+        HDfree(buf);
+        HDfree(bkg);
+        HDfree(orig);
         s_ptr = NULL;
         d_ptr = NULL;
         st.close();
@@ -665,8 +650,6 @@ static void test_compound_6()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
  *              January, 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_compound_7()
@@ -731,8 +714,6 @@ static void test_compound_7()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use partial C version test_ooo_order)
  *              March, 2014
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 const H5std_string COMPFILE("tcompound_types.h5");
@@ -821,15 +802,12 @@ static void test_compound_set_size()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              January 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
 void test_compound()
 {
     // Output message about test being performed
-    //MESSAGE("Testing Compound Data Type operations\n");
     MESSAGE(5, ("Testing Compound Data Type operations\n"));
 
     test_compound_1();  // various things about compound data types
@@ -850,8 +828,6 @@ void test_compound()
  *
  * Return:      none
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
diff --git a/c++/test/tdspl.cpp b/c++/test/tdspl.cpp
index d54d541..0a60a86 100644
--- a/c++/test/tdspl.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/tdspl.cpp
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 /*****************************************************************************
    FILE
    tdspl.cpp - HDF5 C++ testing the dataset memory and transfer property
-                list functionality
+               list functionality
 
  ***************************************************************************/
 
@@ -23,13 +23,10 @@
 #else
 #include <iostream>
 #endif
-#include <string>
-
-#ifndef H5_NO_STD
-    using std::cerr;
-    using std::endl;
-#endif  // H5_NO_STD
+using std::cerr;
+using std::endl;
 
+#include <string>
 #include "H5Cpp.h"      // C++ API header file
 using namespace H5;
 
diff --git a/c++/test/testhdf5.cpp b/c++/test/testhdf5.cpp
index 6a5b70d..b998f76 100644
--- a/c++/test/testhdf5.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/testhdf5.cpp
@@ -44,14 +44,10 @@
 #else
 #include <iostream>
 #endif
-#include <string>
-
-#ifndef H5_NO_STD
-    using std::cerr;
-    using std::endl;
-#endif  // H5_NO_STD
+using std::cerr;
+using std::endl;
 
-#include "h5test.h"     // C test header file
+#include <string>
 #include "H5Cpp.h"      // C++ API header file
 using namespace H5;
 
diff --git a/c++/test/tfile.cpp b/c++/test/tfile.cpp
index 8c626aa..059c548 100644
--- a/c++/test/tfile.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/tfile.cpp
@@ -35,30 +35,30 @@ using namespace H5;
 
 #include "h5cpputil.h"  // C++ utilility header file
 
-const hsize_t F1_USERBLOCK_SIZE = (hsize_t)0;
-const size_t F1_OFFSET_SIZE = sizeof(haddr_t);
-const size_t F1_LENGTH_SIZE = sizeof(hsize_t);
-const unsigned F1_SYM_LEAF_K  = 4;
-const unsigned F1_SYM_INTERN_K = 16;
-const H5std_string    FILE1("tfile1.h5");
-
-const hsize_t F2_USERBLOCK_SIZE = (hsize_t)512;
-const size_t F2_OFFSET_SIZE = 8;
-const size_t F2_LENGTH_SIZE = 8;
-const unsigned F2_SYM_LEAF_K  = 8;
-const unsigned F2_SYM_INTERN_K = 32;
-const unsigned F2_ISTORE = 64;
+const hsize_t   F1_USERBLOCK_SIZE = (hsize_t)0;
+const size_t    F1_OFFSET_SIZE = sizeof(haddr_t);
+const size_t    F1_LENGTH_SIZE = sizeof(hsize_t);
+const unsigned  F1_SYM_LEAF_K  = 4;
+const unsigned  F1_SYM_INTERN_K = 16;
+const H5std_string  FILE1("tfile1.h5");
+
+const hsize_t   F2_USERBLOCK_SIZE = (hsize_t)512;
+const size_t    F2_OFFSET_SIZE = 8;
+const size_t    F2_LENGTH_SIZE = 8;
+const unsigned  F2_SYM_LEAF_K  = 8;
+const unsigned  F2_SYM_INTERN_K = 32;
+const unsigned  F2_ISTORE = 64;
 const H5std_string    FILE2("tfile2.h5");
 
-const hsize_t F3_USERBLOCK_SIZE = (hsize_t)0;
-const size_t F3_OFFSET_SIZE = F2_OFFSET_SIZE;
-const size_t F3_LENGTH_SIZE = F2_LENGTH_SIZE;
-const unsigned F3_SYM_LEAF_K  = F2_SYM_LEAF_K;
-const unsigned F3_SYM_INTERN_K = F2_SYM_INTERN_K;
+const hsize_t   F3_USERBLOCK_SIZE = (hsize_t)0;
+const size_t    F3_OFFSET_SIZE = F2_OFFSET_SIZE;
+const size_t    F3_LENGTH_SIZE = F2_LENGTH_SIZE;
+const unsigned  F3_SYM_LEAF_K  = F2_SYM_LEAF_K;
+const unsigned  F3_SYM_INTERN_K = F2_SYM_INTERN_K;
 const H5std_string    FILE3("tfile3.h5");
 
-const int KB =  1024;
-const H5std_string    FILE4("tfile4.h5");
+const int       KB =  1024;
+const H5std_string  FILE4("tfile4.h5");
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -73,11 +73,11 @@ const H5std_string    FILE4("tfile4.h5");
  *
  * Modifications:
  *      January, 2005: C tests' macro VERIFY casts values to 'long' for all
- *                     cases.  Since there are no operator<< for 'long long'
- *                     or int64 in VS C++ ostream, I casted the hsize_t values
- *                     passed to verify_val to 'long' as well.  If problems
- *                     arises later, this will have to be specificly handled
- *                     with a special routine.
+ *              cases.  Since there are no operator<< for 'long long'
+ *              or int64 in VS C++ ostream, I casted the hsize_t values
+ *              passed to verify_val to 'long' as well.  If problems
+ *              arises later, this will have to be specificly handled
+ *              with a special routine.
  *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ static void test_file_create()
         // Create file FILE1
         file1 = new H5File (FILE1, H5F_ACC_EXCL);
 
-        // try to create the same file with H5F_ACC_TRUNC. This should fail
+        // Try to create the same file with H5F_ACC_TRUNC. This should fail
         // because file1 is the same file and is currently open.
         try {
             H5File file2 (FILE1, H5F_ACC_TRUNC);  // should throw E
@@ -156,12 +156,12 @@ static void test_file_create()
         hsize_t ublock = tmpl1.getUserblock();
         verify_val((long)ublock, (long)F1_USERBLOCK_SIZE, "FileCreatPropList::getUserblock", __LINE__, __FILE__);
 
-        size_t  parm1, parm2;           // file-creation parameters
+        size_t  parm1, parm2;   // file-creation parameters
         tmpl1.getSizes( parm1, parm2);
         verify_val(parm1, F1_OFFSET_SIZE, "FileCreatPropList::getSizes", __LINE__, __FILE__);
         verify_val(parm2, F1_LENGTH_SIZE, "FileCreatPropList::getSizes", __LINE__, __FILE__);
 
-        unsigned  iparm1,iparm2;        // file-creation parameters
+        unsigned  iparm1,iparm2;    // file-creation parameters
         tmpl1.getSymk( iparm1, iparm2);
         verify_val(iparm1, F1_SYM_INTERN_K, "FileCreatPropList::getSymk", __LINE__, __FILE__);
         verify_val(iparm2, F1_SYM_LEAF_K, "FileCreatPropList::getSymk", __LINE__, __FILE__);
@@ -214,12 +214,12 @@ static void test_file_create()
         hsize_t ublock = tmpl1->getUserblock();
         verify_val((long)ublock, (long)F2_USERBLOCK_SIZE, "FileCreatPropList::getUserblock", __LINE__, __FILE__);
 
-        size_t  parm1, parm2;           // file-creation parameters
+        size_t parm1, parm2;    // file-creation parameters
         tmpl1->getSizes( parm1, parm2);
         verify_val(parm1, F2_OFFSET_SIZE, "FileCreatPropList::getSizes", __LINE__, __FILE__);
         verify_val(parm2, F2_LENGTH_SIZE, "FileCreatPropList::getSizes", __LINE__, __FILE__);
 
-        unsigned  iparm1,iparm2;        // file-creation parameters
+        unsigned iparm1,iparm2; // file-creation parameters
         tmpl1->getSymk( iparm1, iparm2);
         verify_val(iparm1, F2_SYM_INTERN_K, "FileCreatPropList::getSymk", __LINE__, __FILE__);
         verify_val(iparm2, F2_SYM_LEAF_K, "FileCreatPropList::getSymk", __LINE__, __FILE__);
@@ -280,11 +280,11 @@ static void test_file_create()
  *
  * Modifications:
  *      January, 2005: C tests' macro VERIFY casts values to 'long' for all
- *                     cases.  Since there are no operator<< for 'long long'
- *                     or int64 in VS C++ ostream, I casted the hsize_t values
- *                     passed to verify_val to 'long' as well.  If problems
- *                     arises later, this will have to be specificly handled
- *                     with a special routine.
+ *              cases.  Since there are no operator<< for 'long long'
+ *              or int64 in VS C++ ostream, I casted the hsize_t values
+ *              passed to verify_val to 'long' as well.  If problems
+ *              arises later, this will have to be specificly handled
+ *              with a special routine.
  *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
@@ -305,13 +305,13 @@ static void test_file_open()
         hsize_t ublock = tmpl1.getUserblock();
         verify_val((long)ublock, (long)F2_USERBLOCK_SIZE, "FileCreatPropList::getUserblock", __LINE__, __FILE__);
 
-        size_t  parm1, parm2;           // file-creation parameters
-        tmpl1.getSizes( parm1, parm2);
+        size_t parm1, parm2;    // file-creation parameters
+        tmpl1.getSizes(parm1, parm2);
         verify_val(parm1, F2_OFFSET_SIZE, "FileCreatPropList::getSizes", __LINE__, __FILE__);
         verify_val(parm2, F2_LENGTH_SIZE, "FileCreatPropList::getSizes", __LINE__, __FILE__);
 
-        unsigned  iparm1,iparm2;       // file-creation parameters
-        tmpl1.getSymk( iparm1, iparm2);
+        unsigned iparm1,iparm2; // file-creation parameters
+        tmpl1.getSymk(iparm1, iparm2);
         verify_val(iparm1, F2_SYM_INTERN_K, "FileCreatPropList::getSymk", __LINE__, __FILE__);
         verify_val(iparm2, F2_SYM_LEAF_K, "FileCreatPropList::getSymk", __LINE__, __FILE__);
 
@@ -361,8 +361,6 @@ static void test_file_open()
  * Programmer:  Raymond Lu
  *              June, 2004
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_file_size()
@@ -370,7 +368,7 @@ static void test_file_size()
     // Output message about test being performed
     SUBTEST("File Size");
 
-    hid_t       fapl_id;
+    hid_t fapl_id;
     fapl_id = h5_fileaccess(); // in h5test.c, returns a file access template
 
     try {
@@ -408,8 +406,10 @@ static void test_file_size()
         issue_fail_msg("test_file_size()", __LINE__, __FILE__, E.getCDetailMsg());
     }
 
-    // use C test utility routine to close property list.
-    H5Pclose(fapl_id);
+    // This fapl_id was returned from h5_fileaccess.
+    herr_t ret = H5Pclose(fapl_id);
+    if (ret < 0)
+        issue_fail_msg("test_file_size()", __LINE__, __FILE__, "H5Pclose failed");
 
 }   // test_file_size()
 
@@ -424,18 +424,16 @@ static void test_file_size()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              July, 2004
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
-const int       RANK = 2;
-const int       NX = 4;
-const int       NY = 5;
-const H5std_string      GROUPNAME ("group");
-const H5std_string      DSETNAME ("dataset");
-const H5std_string      DATTRNAME ("dataset attribute");
-const H5std_string      FATTRNAME ("file attribute");
-const H5std_string      DTYPENAME ("compound");
+const int   RANK = 2;
+const int   NX = 4;
+const int   NY = 5;
+const H5std_string  GROUPNAME ("group");
+const H5std_string  DSETNAME ("dataset");
+const H5std_string  DATTRNAME ("dataset attribute");
+const H5std_string  FATTRNAME ("file attribute");
+const H5std_string  DTYPENAME ("compound");
 
 // Compound datatype
 typedef struct s1_t {
@@ -502,15 +500,14 @@ static void test_file_name()
     {
         issue_fail_msg("test_file_name()", __LINE__, __FILE__, E.getCDetailMsg());
     }
-
 }   // test_file_name()
 
 
-const int       RANK1 = 1;
-const int       ATTR1_DIM1 = 3;
-const H5std_string      FILE5("tfattrs.h5");
-const H5std_string      FATTR1_NAME ("file attribute 1");
-const H5std_string      FATTR2_NAME ("file attribute 2");
+const int   RANK1 = 1;
+const int   ATTR1_DIM1 = 3;
+const H5std_string  FILE5("tfattrs.h5");
+const H5std_string  FATTR1_NAME ("file attribute 1");
+const H5std_string  FATTR2_NAME ("file attribute 2");
 int fattr_data[ATTR1_DIM1]={512,-234,98123}; // Test data for file attribute
 int dattr_data[ATTR1_DIM1]={256,-123,1000}; // Test data for dataset attribute
 
@@ -627,11 +624,12 @@ static void test_file_attribute()
         issue_fail_msg("test_file_attribute()", __LINE__, __FILE__, E.getCDetailMsg());
     }
 }   // test_file_attribute()
+
 
-const H5std_string      FILE6("tfile5.h5");
-const H5std_string      ROOTGROUP("/");
-const H5std_string      GROUP1("/G1");
-const H5std_string      SUBGROUP3("/G1/G3");
+const H5std_string  FILE6("tfile5.h5");
+const H5std_string  ROOTGROUP("/");
+const H5std_string  GROUP1("/G1");
+const H5std_string  SUBGROUP3("/G1/G3");
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:    test_libver_bounds_real
@@ -744,13 +742,13 @@ static void test_libver_bounds()
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * Function:        test_commonfg
+ * Function:    test_commonfg
  *
- * Purpose      Verify that H5File works as a root group.
+ * Purpose:     Verify that H5File works as a root group.
  *
- * Return       None
+ * Return:      None
  *
- * Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
+ * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
  *              March, 2015
  *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -811,13 +809,13 @@ const H5std_string        FILE7("tfile7.h5");
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:    test_file_info
  *
- * Purpose      Verify that various properties in a file creation property
+ * Purpose:     Verify that various properties in a file creation property
  *              lists are stored correctly in the file and can be retrieved
  *              when the file is re-opened.
  *
- * Return       None
+ * Return:      None
  *
- * Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler
+ * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              February, 2017
  *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -862,7 +860,7 @@ static void test_file_info()
         fcpl.close();
 
         // Get the file's version information.
-        file7.getFileInfo(finfo); // there's no C test for H5Fget_info
+        file7.getFileInfo(finfo);   // there's no C test for H5Fget_info
 
         // Close the file.
         file7.close();
@@ -874,7 +872,7 @@ static void test_file_info()
         FileCreatPropList fcpl2 = file7.getCreatePlist();
 
         // Get the file's version information.
-        file7.getFileInfo(finfo); // there's no C test for H5Fget_info
+        file7.getFileInfo(finfo);   // there's no C test for H5Fget_info
 
         // Retrieve the property values & check them.
         hsize_t userblock = fcpl2.getUserblock();
@@ -905,15 +903,13 @@ static void test_file_info()
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:    test_file
  *
- * Purpose      Main file testing routine
+ * Purpose:     Main file testing routine
  *
- * Return       None
+ * Return:      None
  *
- * Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
+ * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
  *              January 2001
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
@@ -936,13 +932,11 @@ void test_file()
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:    cleanup_file
  *
- * Purpose      Cleanup temporary test files
+ * Purpose:     Cleanup temporary test files
  *
- * Return       none
+ * Return:      none
  *
- * Programmer   (use C version)
- *
- * Modifications:
+ * Programmer:  (use C version)
  *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
diff --git a/c++/test/tfilter.cpp b/c++/test/tfilter.cpp
index 275bdb6..2e3c07c 100644
--- a/c++/test/tfilter.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/tfilter.cpp
@@ -80,8 +80,6 @@ const H5Z_class2_t H5Z_BOGUS[1] = {{
  * Programmer:  Robb Matzke
  *              Tuesday, April 21, 1998
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static size_t
@@ -287,8 +285,6 @@ void test_filters()
  * Programmer:  Quincey Koziol
  *              September 10, 1999
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
diff --git a/c++/test/th5s.cpp b/c++/test/th5s.cpp
index e511619..18cd460 100644
--- a/c++/test/th5s.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/th5s.cpp
@@ -556,7 +556,6 @@ static void test_h5s_compound_scalar_read()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              Mar 2001
  *
- * Modifications:
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
@@ -584,8 +583,6 @@ void test_h5s()
  * Programmer:  Albert Cheng
  *              July 2, 1998
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
diff --git a/c++/test/tlinks.cpp b/c++/test/tlinks.cpp
index 1328a19..b38ed39 100644
--- a/c++/test/tlinks.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/tlinks.cpp
@@ -22,13 +22,10 @@
 #else
 #include <iostream>
 #endif
-#include <string>
-
-#ifndef H5_NO_STD
-    using std::cerr;
-    using std::endl;
-#endif  // H5_NO_STD
+using std::cerr;
+using std::endl;
 
+#include <string>
 #include "H5Cpp.h"      // C++ API header file
 using namespace H5;
 
@@ -44,9 +41,9 @@ using namespace H5;
 //#define H5G_TESTING
 
 //#include "h5test.h"
-//#include "H5Gpkg.h"           /* Groups                               */
-//#include "H5Iprivate.h"               /* IDs                                  */
-//#include "H5Lprivate.h"         /* Links                                */
+//#include "H5Gpkg.h"       // Groups
+//#include "H5Iprivate.h"   // IDs
+//#include "H5Lprivate.h"   // Links
 
 /* File for external link test.  Created with gen_udlinks.c */
 #define LINKED_FILE  "be_extlink2.h5"
@@ -117,22 +114,22 @@ const char *FILENAME[] = {
 #define MAX_NAME_LEN    ((64*1024)+1024)
 
 /* Link type IDs */
-#define UD_HARD_TYPE 201
-#define UD_CB_TYPE H5L_TYPE_MAX
-#define UD_PLIST_TYPE 128
-#define UD_CBFAIL_TYPE UD_PLIST_TYPE
-#define UD_ERROR_TYPE 189
-#define UD_BAD_TYPE1 H5L_TYPE_HARD
-#define UD_BAD_TYPE2 (H5L_TYPE_UD_MIN - 5)
-#define UD_BAD_VERS (H5L_LINK_CLASS_T_VERS + 1)
-
-#define DEST_PROP_NAME "destination_group"
-#define REREG_TARGET_NAME "rereg_target"
-
-#define UD_CB_LINK_NAME "ud_callback_link"
+#define UD_HARD_TYPE    201
+#define UD_CB_TYPE      H5L_TYPE_MAX
+#define UD_PLIST_TYPE   128
+#define UD_CBFAIL_TYPE  UD_PLIST_TYPE
+#define UD_ERROR_TYPE   189
+#define UD_BAD_TYPE1    H5L_TYPE_HARD
+#define UD_BAD_TYPE2    (H5L_TYPE_UD_MIN - 5)
+#define UD_BAD_VERS     (H5L_LINK_CLASS_T_VERS + 1)
+
+#define DEST_PROP_NAME      "destination_group"
+#define REREG_TARGET_NAME   "rereg_target"
+
+#define UD_CB_LINK_NAME     "ud_callback_link"
 #define NEW_UD_CB_LINK_NAME "ud_callback_link2"
-#define UD_CB_TARGET "ud_target"
-#define UD_CB_TARGET_LEN 10
+#define UD_CB_TARGET        "ud_target"
+#define UD_CB_TARGET_LEN    10
 
 #define LE_FILENAME "le_extlink1.h5"
 #define BE_FILENAME "be_extlink1.h5"
@@ -145,9 +142,9 @@ const char *FILENAME[] = {
 /* Creation order macros */
 #define CORDER_GROUP_NAME       "corder_group"
 #define CORDER_SOFT_GROUP_NAME  "corder_soft_group"
-#define CORDER_NLINKS               18
-#define CORDER_ITER_STOP            3
-#define CORDER_EST_ENTRY_LEN        9
+#define CORDER_NLINKS           18
+#define CORDER_ITER_STOP        3
+#define CORDER_EST_ENTRY_LEN    9
 
 /* Timestamp macros */
 #define TIMESTAMP_GROUP_1       "timestamp1"
@@ -328,21 +325,19 @@ static const char *FILENAME[] = {
  *
  * Purpose:     Test building a file with assorted links.
  *
- * Return:      Success:        0
+ * Return:      Success: 0
  *
- *              Failure:        -1
+ *              Failure: -1
  *
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              October 16, 2009
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_basic_links(hid_t fapl_id, hbool_t new_format)
 {
-    hsize_t             size[1] = {1};
-    char                filename[NAME_BUF_SIZE];
+    hsize_t size[1] = {1};
+    char filename[NAME_BUF_SIZE];
 
     // Use the file access template id to create a file access prop. list.
     FileAccPropList fapl(fapl_id);
@@ -443,17 +438,15 @@ static void test_basic_links(hid_t fapl_id, hbool_t new_format)
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:    test_num_links
  *
- * Purpose      Test setting and getting limit of number of links
+ * Purpose:     Test setting and getting limit of number of links
  *
- * Return       Success: 0
+ * Return:      Success: 0
  *
  *              Failure: -1
  *
- * Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler
+ * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              Mar, 2017
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_num_links(hid_t fapl_id, hbool_t new_format)
@@ -477,7 +470,7 @@ static void test_num_links(hid_t fapl_id, hbool_t new_format)
         size_t nlinks = 5;
         lapl.setNumLinks(nlinks);
 
-         // Read it back and verify
+        // Read it back and verify
         size_t read_nlinks = lapl.getNumLinks();
         verify_val(read_nlinks, nlinks, "LinkAccPropList::setNumLinks", __LINE__, __FILE__);
 
@@ -504,9 +497,9 @@ static void test_num_links(hid_t fapl_id, hbool_t new_format)
 extern "C"
 void test_links()
 {
-    hid_t       fapl_id, fapl2_id;    /* File access property lists */
-    hbool_t new_format;     /* Whether to use the new format or not */
-    const char  *envval;
+    hid_t fapl_id, fapl2_id;    // File access property lists
+    hbool_t new_format;         // Whether to use the new format or not
+    const char *envval;
 
     envval = HDgetenv("HDF5_DRIVER");
     if(envval == NULL)
@@ -687,8 +680,6 @@ void test_links()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              October 16, 2009
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
diff --git a/c++/test/tobject.cpp b/c++/test/tobject.cpp
index 59716dd..c053604 100644
--- a/c++/test/tobject.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/tobject.cpp
@@ -22,13 +22,10 @@
 #else
 #include <iostream>
 #endif
-#include <string>
-
-#ifndef H5_NO_STD
-    using std::cerr;
-    using std::endl;
-#endif  // H5_NO_STD
+using std::cerr;
+using std::endl;
 
+#include <string>
 #include "H5Cpp.h"      // C++ API header file
 using namespace H5;
 
@@ -61,8 +58,6 @@ const H5std_string      DSET_IN_GRP1_2_PATH("/Top Group/Sub-Group 1.2/Dataset in
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              Friday, March 4, 2014
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_get_objname()
@@ -159,8 +154,6 @@ static void test_get_objname()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              March 4, 2014
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_get_objname_ontypes()
@@ -244,8 +237,6 @@ static void test_get_objname_ontypes()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              Friday, March 4, 2014
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_get_objtype()
@@ -301,15 +292,13 @@ static void test_get_objtype()
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:    test_open_object_header
  *
- * Purpose      Test H5Location::openObjId function.
+ * Purpose:     Test H5Location::openObjId function.
  *
- * Return       None
+ * Return:      None
  *
- * Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
+ * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
  *              May 15, 2017
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 const H5std_string GROUPNAME("group");
@@ -428,8 +417,6 @@ static void test_open_object_header()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              May 15, 2017
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_is_valid()
@@ -483,8 +470,6 @@ static void test_is_valid()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler
  *              Friday, Mar 4, 2014
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
@@ -510,8 +495,6 @@ void test_object()
  *
  * Programmer:  (use C version)
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
diff --git a/c++/test/trefer.cpp b/c++/test/trefer.cpp
index f088240..9f43054 100644
--- a/c++/test/trefer.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/trefer.cpp
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@
 #else
 #include <iostream>
 #endif
-#include <string>
 
+#include <string>
 #include "H5Cpp.h"      // C++ API header file
 using namespace H5;
 
diff --git a/c++/test/ttypes.cpp b/c++/test/ttypes.cpp
index 43e85a9..a706197 100644
--- a/c++/test/ttypes.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/ttypes.cpp
@@ -22,13 +22,10 @@
 #else
 #include <iostream>
 #endif
-#include <string>
-
-#ifndef H5_NO_STD
-    using std::cerr;
-    using std::endl;
-#endif  // H5_NO_STD
+using std::cerr;
+using std::endl;
 
+#include <string>
 #include "H5Cpp.h"      // C++ API header file
 using namespace H5;
 
@@ -98,8 +95,6 @@ typedef struct {
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              January, 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_classes()
@@ -137,8 +132,6 @@ static void test_classes()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              January, 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void test_copy()
@@ -192,8 +185,6 @@ static void test_copy()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
  *              January, 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 
@@ -312,8 +303,6 @@ static void test_query()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
  *              January, 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 const char* filename1 = "dtypes1.h5";
@@ -389,8 +378,6 @@ static void test_transient ()
  * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (use C version)
  *              January, 2007
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 const H5std_string filename2("dtypes2.h5");
@@ -545,15 +532,13 @@ static void test_named ()
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:    test_encode_decode
  *
- * Purpose      Test datatype encode/decode functionality.
+ * Purpose:     Test datatype encode/decode functionality.
  *
- * Return       None
+ * Return:      None
  *
- * Programmer   Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
+ * Programmer:  Binh-Minh Ribler (using C version)
  *              October, 2017
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 const H5std_string filename3("encode_decode.h5");
@@ -797,8 +782,6 @@ void test_types()
  * Programmer:  Quincey Koziol
  *              September 10, 1999
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
diff --git a/c++/test/tvlstr.cpp b/c++/test/tvlstr.cpp
index f49dbc0..d5f2afe 100644
--- a/c++/test/tvlstr.cpp
+++ b/c++/test/tvlstr.cpp
@@ -24,13 +24,10 @@
 #else
 #include <iostream>
 #endif
-#include <string>
-
-#ifndef H5_NO_STD
-    using std::cerr;
-    using std::endl;
-#endif  // H5_NO_STD
+using std::cerr;
+using std::endl;
 
+#include <string>
 #include "H5Cpp.h"      // C++ API header file
 using namespace H5;
 
@@ -56,9 +53,9 @@ const hsize_t SPACE1_DIM1 = 4;
 #if 0 // not used now
 static void *test_vlstr_alloc_custom(size_t size, void *info)
 {
-    void *ret_value=NULL;       // Pointer to return
+    void *ret_value=NULL;        // Pointer to return
     size_t *mem_used=(size_t *)info;  // Get the pointer to the memory used
-    size_t extra;               // Extra space needed
+    size_t extra;                // Extra space needed
 
     /*
      *  This weird contortion is required on the DEC Alpha to keep the
@@ -92,7 +89,7 @@ static void test_vlstr_free_custom(void *_mem, void *info)
 {
     unsigned char *mem;
     size_t *mem_used=(size_t *)info;  // Get the pointer to the memory used
-    size_t extra;               // Extra space needed
+    size_t extra;                     // Extra space needed
 
     /*
      *  This weird contortion is required on the DEC Alpha to keep the
@@ -349,7 +346,7 @@ static void test_vlstrings_special()
         dataset.read(rdata, vlst);
 
         // Check data read in.
-        hsize_t ii;             // counting variable
+        hsize_t ii; // counting variable
         for (ii=0; ii<SPACE1_DIM1; ii++)
             if(rdata[ii]!=NULL)
                 TestErrPrintf("VL doesn't match!, rdata[%d]=%p\n",(int)ii,rdata[ii]);
@@ -359,14 +356,17 @@ static void test_vlstrings_special()
         dataset.read(rdata, vlst);
 
         // Compare data read in.
-        for (ii = 0; ii < SPACE1_DIM1; ii++) {
+        for (ii = 0; ii < SPACE1_DIM1; ii++)
+        {
             size_t wlen = HDstrlen(wdata[ii]);
             size_t rlen = HDstrlen(rdata[ii]);
-            if(wlen != rlen) {
+            if(wlen != rlen)
+            {
                 TestErrPrintf("VL data lengths don't match!, strlen(wdata[%d])=%u, strlen(rdata[%d])=%u\n", (int)ii, (unsigned)wlen, (int)ii, (unsigned)rlen);
                 continue;
             } // end if
-            if(HDstrcmp(wdata[ii],rdata[ii]) != 0) {
+            if(HDstrcmp(wdata[ii],rdata[ii]) != 0)
+            {
                 TestErrPrintf("VL data values don't match!, wdata[%d]=%s, rdata[%d]=%s\n", (int)ii, wdata[ii], (int)ii, rdata[ii]);
                 continue;
             } // end if
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ static void test_vlstrings_special()
         // Create the property list and set the fill value for the second
         // dataset.
         DSetCreatPropList dcpl;
-        char *fill = NULL;      // Fill value
+        char *fill = NULL;  // Fill value
         dcpl.setFillValue(vlst, &fill);
         dataset = file1.createDataSet("Dataset4", vlst, sid1, dcpl);
 
@@ -397,8 +397,8 @@ static void test_vlstrings_special()
 
         // Check data read in.
         for (ii=0; ii<SPACE1_DIM1; ii++)
-          if(rdata[ii]!=NULL)
-            TestErrPrintf("VL doesn't match!, rdata[%d]=%p\n",(int)ii,rdata[ii]);
+            if(rdata[ii]!=NULL)
+                TestErrPrintf("VL doesn't match!, rdata[%d]=%p\n",(int)ii,rdata[ii]);
 
         // Try to write nil strings to disk.
         dataset.write(wdata2, vlst);
@@ -408,8 +408,8 @@ static void test_vlstrings_special()
 
         // Check data read in.
         for (ii=0; ii<SPACE1_DIM1; ii++)
-          if(rdata[ii]!=NULL)
-            TestErrPrintf("VL doesn't match!, rdata[%d]=%p\n",(int)ii,rdata[ii]);
+            if(rdata[ii]!=NULL)
+                TestErrPrintf("VL doesn't match!, rdata[%d]=%p\n",(int)ii,rdata[ii]);
 
         // Close objects and file.
         dataset.close();
@@ -480,27 +480,45 @@ static void test_vlstring_type()
         vlst.close();
 
         // Try opening datatype again.
-        vlst = file1->openStrType(VLSTR_TYPE);
+        vlst = file1->openStrType(VLSTR_TYPE); // deprecated
 
-        // Close datatype and file.
+        // Close again and reopen with constructor.
         vlst.close();
+        StrType vlst1(*file1, VLSTR_TYPE);
+
+        // Close datatype and file.
+        vlst1.close();
         file1->close();
         delete file1;
 
         // Open file.
         file1 = new H5File(FILENAME, H5F_ACC_RDWR);
 
-        // Open the variable-length string datatype just created
+        { // deprecated
+        // Open the variable-length string datatype just created.
         vlst = file1->openStrType(VLSTR_TYPE);
 
-        // Verify character set and padding
+        // Verify character set and padding.
         cset = vlst.getCset();
         verify_val(cset, H5T_CSET_ASCII, "StrType::getCset", __LINE__, __FILE__);
         pad = vlst.getStrpad();
         verify_val(pad, H5T_STR_NULLPAD, "StrType::getStrpad", __LINE__, __FILE__);
 
-        // Close datatype and file
+        // Close type to test new function.
         vlst.close();
+        } // deprecated
+
+        // Open the variable-length string datatype just created.
+        StrType vlst2(*file1, VLSTR_TYPE);
+
+        // Verify character set and padding.
+        cset = vlst2.getCset();
+        verify_val(cset, H5T_CSET_ASCII, "StrType::getCset", __LINE__, __FILE__);
+        pad = vlst2.getStrpad();
+        verify_val(pad, H5T_STR_NULLPAD, "StrType::getStrpad", __LINE__, __FILE__);
+
+        // Close datatype and file.
+        vlst2.close();
         file1->close();
 
         PASSED();
@@ -818,7 +836,7 @@ static void test_vlstring_array_attribute()
 
 /* Helper routine for test_vl_rewrite() */
 static void write_scalar_dset(H5File& file, DataType& type, DataSpace& space,
-                                char *name, char *data)
+                              char *name, char *data)
 {
     DataSet dset;
     try {
@@ -836,7 +854,7 @@ static void write_scalar_dset(H5File& file, DataType& type, DataSpace& space,
 
 /* Helper routine for test_vl_rewrite() */
 static void read_scalar_dset(H5File& file, DataType& type, DataSpace& space,
-                                char *name, char *data)
+                             char *name, char *data)
 {
     char *data_read;
     DataSet dset;
@@ -891,7 +909,7 @@ static void test_vl_rewrite()
 
         // Create in file 1.
         int i;
-        char name[256];         // Buffer for names & data
+        char name[256]; // Buffer for names & data
         for (i=0; i<REWRITE_NDATASETS; i++) {
             sprintf(name, "/set_%d", i);
             write_scalar_dset(file1, type, space, name, name);
@@ -987,8 +1005,6 @@ void test_vlstrings()
  * Programmer:  Quincey Koziol
  *              September 10, 1999
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 extern "C"
diff --git a/config/cmake/scripts/HDF5config.cmake b/config/cmake/scripts/HDF5config.cmake
index 00fd386..5b7b5f5 100755
--- a/config/cmake/scripts/HDF5config.cmake
+++ b/config/cmake/scripts/HDF5config.cmake
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ cmake_minimum_required (VERSION 3.2.2 FATAL_ERROR)
 ##############################################################################

 

 set (CTEST_SOURCE_VERSION "1.8.20")

-set (CTEST_SOURCE_VERSEXT "-snap7")

+set (CTEST_SOURCE_VERSEXT "-snap8")

 

 ##############################################################################

 # handle input parameters to script.

diff --git a/configure b/configure
index f2619d0..f581c44 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #! /bin/sh
 # From configure.ac Id.
 # Guess values for system-dependent variables and create Makefiles.
-# Generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69 for HDF5 1.8.20-snap7.
+# Generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69 for HDF5 1.8.20-snap8.
 #
 # Report bugs to <help@hdfgroup.org>.
 #
@@ -591,8 +591,8 @@ MAKEFLAGS=
 # Identity of this package.
 PACKAGE_NAME='HDF5'
 PACKAGE_TARNAME='hdf5'
-PACKAGE_VERSION='1.8.20-snap7'
-PACKAGE_STRING='HDF5 1.8.20-snap7'
+PACKAGE_VERSION='1.8.20-snap8'
+PACKAGE_STRING='HDF5 1.8.20-snap8'
 PACKAGE_BUGREPORT='help@hdfgroup.org'
 PACKAGE_URL=''
 
@@ -1480,7 +1480,7 @@ if test "$ac_init_help" = "long"; then
   # Omit some internal or obsolete options to make the list less imposing.
   # This message is too long to be a string in the A/UX 3.1 sh.
   cat <<_ACEOF
-\`configure' configures HDF5 1.8.20-snap7 to adapt to many kinds of systems.
+\`configure' configures HDF5 1.8.20-snap8 to adapt to many kinds of systems.
 
 Usage: $0 [OPTION]... [VAR=VALUE]...
 
@@ -1550,7 +1550,7 @@ fi
 
 if test -n "$ac_init_help"; then
   case $ac_init_help in
-     short | recursive ) echo "Configuration of HDF5 1.8.20-snap7:";;
+     short | recursive ) echo "Configuration of HDF5 1.8.20-snap8:";;
    esac
   cat <<\_ACEOF
 
@@ -1745,7 +1745,7 @@ fi
 test -n "$ac_init_help" && exit $ac_status
 if $ac_init_version; then
   cat <<\_ACEOF
-HDF5 configure 1.8.20-snap7
+HDF5 configure 1.8.20-snap8
 generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69
 
 Copyright (C) 2012 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
@@ -2682,7 +2682,7 @@ cat >config.log <<_ACEOF
 This file contains any messages produced by compilers while
 running configure, to aid debugging if configure makes a mistake.
 
-It was created by HDF5 $as_me 1.8.20-snap7, which was
+It was created by HDF5 $as_me 1.8.20-snap8, which was
 generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69.  Invocation command line was
 
   $ $0 $@
@@ -3553,7 +3553,7 @@ fi
 
 # Define the identity of the package.
  PACKAGE='hdf5'
- VERSION='1.8.20-snap7'
+ VERSION='1.8.20-snap8'
 
 
 cat >>confdefs.h <<_ACEOF
@@ -29313,7 +29313,7 @@ Usage: $0 [OPTIONS]
 Report bugs to <bug-libtool@gnu.org>."
 
 lt_cl_version="\
-HDF5 config.lt 1.8.20-snap7
+HDF5 config.lt 1.8.20-snap8
 configured by $0, generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69.
 
 Copyright (C) 2011 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
@@ -31373,7 +31373,7 @@ cat >>$CONFIG_STATUS <<\_ACEOF || ac_write_fail=1
 # report actual input values of CONFIG_FILES etc. instead of their
 # values after options handling.
 ac_log="
-This file was extended by HDF5 $as_me 1.8.20-snap7, which was
+This file was extended by HDF5 $as_me 1.8.20-snap8, which was
 generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69.  Invocation command line was
 
   CONFIG_FILES    = $CONFIG_FILES
@@ -31439,7 +31439,7 @@ _ACEOF
 cat >>$CONFIG_STATUS <<_ACEOF || ac_write_fail=1
 ac_cs_config="`$as_echo "$ac_configure_args" | sed 's/^ //; s/[\\""\`\$]/\\\\&/g'`"
 ac_cs_version="\\
-HDF5 config.status 1.8.20-snap7
+HDF5 config.status 1.8.20-snap8
 configured by $0, generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69,
   with options \\"\$ac_cs_config\\"
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 2c758c8..aac3681 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ AC_PREREQ([2.69])
 ## NOTE: Do not forget to change the version number here when we do a
 ## release!!!
 ##
-AC_INIT([HDF5], [1.8.20-snap7], [help@hdfgroup.org])
+AC_INIT([HDF5], [1.8.20-snap8], [help@hdfgroup.org])
 AC_CONFIG_SRCDIR([src/H5.c])
 AC_CONFIG_HEADERS([src/H5config.h])
 
diff --git a/release_docs/RELEASE.txt b/release_docs/RELEASE.txt
index b17f364..061d1d8 100644
--- a/release_docs/RELEASE.txt
+++ b/release_docs/RELEASE.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-HDF5 version 1.8.20-snap7 currently under development
+HDF5 version 1.8.20-snap8 currently under development
 ================================================================================
 
 INTRODUCTION
@@ -96,7 +96,38 @@ New Features
 
     C++ API
     -------
-    - None
+    - The following C++ API wrappers have been added to the C++ Library:
+
+        // Creates a binary object description of this datatype.
+        void DataType::encode() - C API H5Tencode()
+
+        // Returns the decoded type from the binary object description.
+        DataType::decode() - C API H5Tdecode()
+        ArrayType::decode() - C API H5Tdecode()
+        CompType::decode() - C API H5Tdecode()
+        DataType::decode() - C API H5Tdecode()
+        EnumType::decode() - C API H5Tdecode()
+        FloatType::decode() - C API H5Tdecode()
+        IntType::decode() - C API H5Tdecode()
+        StrType::decode() - C API H5Tdecode()
+        VarLenType::decode() - C API H5Tdecode()
+
+        // Three overloaded functions to retrieve information about an object
+        H5Location::getObjectInfo() - H5Oget_info()/H5Oget_info_by_name()
+
+      (BMR - 2017/10/17, HDFFV-10175)
+
+    - New constructors to open existing datatypes added in ArrayType,
+      CompType, DataType, EnumType, FloatType, IntType, StrType, and
+      VarLenType.
+
+      (BMR - 2017/10/17, HDFFV-10175)
+
+    - A document is added to the HDF5 C++ API Reference Manual to show the
+      mapping from a C API to C++ wrappers.  It can be found from the main
+      page of the C++ API Reference Manual.
+
+      (BMR - 2017/10/17, HDFFV-10151)
 
 
     High-Level APIs
@@ -233,7 +264,16 @@ Bug Fixes since HDF5-1.8.19
 
     C++ API
     -------
-    - None
+    - Marked the following functions deprecated because they were moved to
+      class H5Object:
+        H5Location::createAttribute()
+        H5Location::openAttribute()
+        H5Location::attrExists()
+        H5Location::removeAttr()
+        H5Location::renameAttr()
+        H5Location::getNumAttrs()
+
+      (BMR - 2017/10/17)
 
 
     High-Level APIs:
diff --git a/src/H5public.h b/src/H5public.h
index 67663c7..c6193a3 100644
--- a/src/H5public.h
+++ b/src/H5public.h
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ extern "C" {
 #define H5_VERS_MAJOR	1	/* For major interface/format changes  	     */
 #define H5_VERS_MINOR	8	/* For minor interface/format changes  	     */
 #define H5_VERS_RELEASE	20	/* For tweaks, bug-fixes, or development     */
-#define H5_VERS_SUBRELEASE "snap7"	/* For pre-releases like snap0       */
+#define H5_VERS_SUBRELEASE "snap8"	/* For pre-releases like snap0       */
 				/* Empty string for real releases.           */
-#define H5_VERS_INFO    "HDF5 library version: 1.8.20-snap7"      /* Full version string */
+#define H5_VERS_INFO    "HDF5 library version: 1.8.20-snap8"      /* Full version string */
 
 #define H5check()	H5check_version(H5_VERS_MAJOR,H5_VERS_MINOR,	      \
 				        H5_VERS_RELEASE)