[svn-r3707] Purpose: Bug fixes and code clean up

Description and Solution:

	- Predefined type objects become outdated when the application calls
	H5close and then H5open to use the library again.

	Solution:
	    + Reimplemented PredType using enum type to obtain up-to-date
		values for predefined types, i.e. H5T_xxx_yyy's, when they
		are used.
	    + Added to PredType its own version of getId() to return the
		appropriate predefined type id according to the enum value.
	    + Made IdComponent::getId() a virtual function

	- Since Albert already fixed the "multiply defined RcsId" problem,
	removed the now become unnessary "#undef RCSID" from H5Include.h

	- Added a check for func_name != NULL in one of the Exception
	constructors because seg. fault. might occur in some situations.

	- It is more convenient to make a copy of a datatype, dataspace,
	or property list by using assignment operator

	Solution:
	    + Added assignment operator to DataType, DataSpace, and
		PropList so that they will invoke H5Tcopy, H5Scopy,
		and H5Pcopy, respectively, instead of just simply
		copying the data members as for other classes.  So,
		now a type, space, or property list can be copied by
		either :
			mytype = original_type, or
			mytype.copy(original_type)
		Note that copy constructors are still just copying the
		data members.
	    + Added an assignment operator to DataType that takes a
		predefined type.
	    + Made IdComponent::operator= a virtual function

Platforms tested:
	arabica (sparc-sun-solaris 2.7)

13 files changed, 552 insertions, 173 deletions

diff --git a/c++/src/H5DataSpace.cpp b/c++/src/H5DataSpace.cpp
index dc4ed9a..4e9533f 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5DataSpace.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5DataSpace.cpp
@@ -68,6 +68,14 @@ void DataSpace::copy( const DataSpace& like_space )
    }
 }
 
+// Makes a copy of the dataspace on the right hand side and stores 
+// the new id in the left hand side object.
+DataSpace& DataSpace::operator=( const DataSpace& rhs )
+{
+   copy(rhs);
+   return(*this);
+}
+
 // Determines whether this dataspace is a simple dataspace.
 bool DataSpace::isSimple () const
 {
diff --git a/c++/src/H5DataSpace.h b/c++/src/H5DataSpace.h
index 8c3471f..67f4537 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5DataSpace.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5DataSpace.h
@@ -20,64 +20,67 @@ class DataSpace : public IdComponent {
 	// Makes copy of an existing dataspace.
 	void copy( const DataSpace& like_space ); // H5Scopy
 
+	// Assignment operator
+	virtual DataSpace& operator=( const DataSpace& rhs );
+
 	// Determines if this dataspace is a simple one.
-	bool isSimple () const;
+	bool isSimple() const;
 
 	// Sets the offset of this simple dataspace.
-	void offsetSimple ( const hssize_t* offset ) const;
+	void offsetSimple( const hssize_t* offset ) const;
 
 	// Retrieves dataspace dimension size and maximum size.
-	int getSimpleExtentDims ( hsize_t *dims, hsize_t *maxdims = NULL ) const;
+	int getSimpleExtentDims( hsize_t *dims, hsize_t *maxdims = NULL ) const;
 
 	// Gets the dimensionality of this dataspace.
-	int getSimpleExtentNdims () const;
+	int getSimpleExtentNdims() const;
 
 	// Gets the number of elements in this dataspace.
 	// 12/05/00 - changed return type to hssize_t from hsize_t - C API 
-	hssize_t getSimpleExtentNpoints () const;
+	hssize_t getSimpleExtentNpoints() const;
 
 	// Gets the current class of this dataspace.
-	H5S_class_t getSimpleExtentType () const;
+	H5S_class_t getSimpleExtentType() const;
 
 	// Copies the extent of this dataspace.
-	void extentCopy ( DataSpace& dest_space ) const;
+	void extentCopy( DataSpace& dest_space ) const;
 
 	// Sets or resets the size of this dataspace.
 	void setExtentSimple( int rank, const hsize_t *current_size, const hsize_t *maximum_size = NULL ) const;
 
 	// Removes the extent from this dataspace.
-	void setExtentNone () const;
+	void setExtentNone() const;
 
 	// Gets the number of elements in this dataspace selection.
-	hssize_t getSelectNpoints () const;
+	hssize_t getSelectNpoints() const;
 
 	// Get number of hyperslab blocks.
-	hssize_t getSelectHyperNblocks () const;
+	hssize_t getSelectHyperNblocks() const;
 
 	// Gets the list of hyperslab blocks currently selected.
 	void getSelectHyperBlocklist( hsize_t startblock, hsize_t numblocks, hsize_t *buf ) const;
 
 	// Gets the number of element points in the current selection.
-	hssize_t getSelectElemNpoints () const;
+	hssize_t getSelectElemNpoints() const;
 
 	// Retrieves the list of element points currently selected.
-	void getSelectElemPointlist ( hsize_t startpoint, hsize_t numpoints, hsize_t *buf ) const;
+	void getSelectElemPointlist( hsize_t startpoint, hsize_t numpoints, hsize_t *buf ) const;
 
 	// Gets the bounding box containing the current selection.
-	void getSelectBounds ( hsize_t* start, hsize_t* end ) const;
+	void getSelectBounds( hsize_t* start, hsize_t* end ) const;
 
 	// Selects array elements to be included in the selection for 
 	// this dataspace.
-	void selectElements ( H5S_seloper_t op, const size_t num_elements, const hssize_t *coord[ ] ) const;
+	void selectElements( H5S_seloper_t op, const size_t num_elements, const hssize_t *coord[ ] ) const;
 
 	// Selects the entire dataspace.
-	void selectAll () const;
+	void selectAll() const;
 
 	// Resets the selection region to include no elements.
-	void selectNone () const;
+	void selectNone() const;
 
 	// Verifies that the selection is within the extent of the dataspace.
-	bool selectValid () const;
+	bool selectValid() const;
 
 	// Selects a hyperslab region to add to the current selected region.
 	void selectHyperslab( H5S_seloper_t op, const hsize_t *count, const hssize_t *start, const hsize_t *stride = NULL, const hsize_t *block = NULL ) const;
diff --git a/c++/src/H5DataType.cpp b/c++/src/H5DataType.cpp
index e8c00eb..a7de20b 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5DataType.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5DataType.cpp
@@ -68,6 +68,22 @@ void DataType::copy( const DataType& like_type )
    }
 }
 
+// Makes a copy of the type on the right hand side and stores the new
+// id in the left hand side object.  
+DataType& DataType::operator=( const DataType& rhs )
+{
+   copy(rhs);
+   return(*this);
+}
+
+// Makes a copy of the predefined type and stores the new
+// id in the left hand side object.  
+DataType& DataType::operator=( const PredType& rhs )
+{
+   copy(rhs);
+   return(*this);
+}
+
 // Determines whether two datatypes refer to the same actual datatype.
 bool DataType::operator==(const DataType& compared_type ) const
 {
diff --git a/c++/src/H5DataType.h b/c++/src/H5DataType.h
index a71e1ba..ebe7ded 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5DataType.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5DataType.h
@@ -14,10 +14,6 @@ class DataType : public H5Object {
 	// Copy constructor: makes a copy of the original object
 	DataType( const DataType& original );
 
-	// Creates a new variable-length datatype - not implemented yet
-	// Will be moved into a subclass when completed
-	//DataType vlenCreate( const DataType& base_type );
-
 	// Copies an existing datatype to this datatype object
 	void copy( const DataType& like_type );
 
@@ -46,7 +42,13 @@ class DataType : public H5Object {
 	// Returns a pointer to the current global overflow function. 
 	H5T_overflow_t getOverflow(void) const;
 
-	// Determines whether two datatypes are the same. ???
+	// Assignment operator that takes a predefined type
+	virtual DataType& operator=( const PredType& rhs );
+
+	// Assignment operator
+	virtual DataType& operator=( const DataType& rhs );
+
+	// Determines whether two datatypes are the same.
 	bool operator==(const DataType& compared_type ) const;
 
 	// Locks a datatype. 
@@ -74,6 +76,10 @@ class DataType : public H5Object {
 	// Gets the tag associated with an opaque datatype. 
 	string getTag() const;
 
+	// Creates a new variable-length datatype - not implemented yet
+	// Will be moved into a subclass when completed
+	//DataType vlenCreate( const DataType& base_type );
+
 	// Used by the API to appropriately close a datatype
         void p_close() const;
 
diff --git a/c++/src/H5Exception.cpp b/c++/src/H5Exception.cpp
index 3eeb2b8..86b399f 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5Exception.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5Exception.cpp
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ Exception::Exception(const string& func_name, const string& message) : detailMes
 Exception::Exception(const char* func_name, const char* message)
 {
     detailMessage = string(message);
-    funcName = string(func_name);
+    if (func_name != NULL)
+	funcName = string(func_name);
 }
 
 // copy constructor
diff --git a/c++/src/H5IdComponent.h b/c++/src/H5IdComponent.h
index 66deeb5..31e9acd 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5IdComponent.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5IdComponent.h
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ class IdComponent {
 	IdComponent( const IdComponent& original );
 
 	// Gets the value of IdComponent's data member
-	hid_t getId () const;
+	virtual hid_t getId () const;
 
 	// Increment reference counter
 	void incRefCount();
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@ class IdComponent {
 	// reference to this object
 	bool noReference();
 
+	// Assignment operator
+	virtual IdComponent& operator=( const IdComponent& rhs );
+
 	// Resets this IdComponent instance
 	//template <class Type>
 	//void reset( Type* parent );
@@ -55,9 +58,6 @@ class IdComponent {
 	RefCounter* ref_count; // used to keep track of the
 	                              // number of copies of an object
 
-	// Assignment operator
-	IdComponent& operator=( const IdComponent& rhs );
-
 	// Default constructor
 	IdComponent();
 
diff --git a/c++/src/H5Include.h b/c++/src/H5Include.h
index 20bfa64..b64511a 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5Include.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5Include.h
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 // C++ informative line for the emacs editor: -*- C++ -*-
 // Added this line for CC to compile at this time.  Will remove it when
 // the problem of "Multiple declaration for RcsId" is fixed. BMR - 10/30/00
-#ifdef RCSID
-#undef RCSID
-#endif
+
+// This problem is removed.  I could replace all #include "H5Include.h"
+// by #include <hdf5.h>, but decide not to. BMR - 3/22/01
 
 #include <hdf5.h>
diff --git a/c++/src/H5IntType.cpp b/c++/src/H5IntType.cpp
index c97daeb..6b48d7b 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5IntType.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5IntType.cpp
@@ -32,10 +32,18 @@ IntType::IntType( const PredType& pred_type ) : AtomType()
    copy( pred_type );
 }
 
+/* BMR - may not keep
+IntType& IntType::operator=( const PredType& rhs )
+{
+   copy(rhs);
+   return(*this);
+}
+*/
+
 // Creates a integer datatype using an existing id
 IntType::IntType( const hid_t existing_id ) : AtomType( existing_id ) {}
 
-// Gets the integer datatype of the specified dataset - will reimplement -BMR
+// Gets the integer datatype of the specified dataset - may reimplement -BMR
 IntType::IntType( const DataSet& dataset ) : AtomType()
 {  
    // Calls C function H5Dget_type to get the id of the datatype
diff --git a/c++/src/H5IntType.h b/c++/src/H5IntType.h
index fb9889d..76ef6a9 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5IntType.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5IntType.h
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ class IntType : public AtomType {
 	// Gets the integer datatype of the specified dataset
 	IntType( const DataSet& dataset );
 
+	// Assignment operator that takes a predefined type
+	// may not use - BMR
+	// virtual IntType& operator=( const PredType& rhs );
+
 	// Retrieves the sign type for an integer type
 	H5T_sign_t getSign() const;
 
diff --git a/c++/src/H5PredType.cpp b/c++/src/H5PredType.cpp
index 3f32f4b..0d0ddcb 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5PredType.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5PredType.cpp
@@ -30,142 +30,421 @@ PredType::PredType( const PredType& original ) : AtomType( original ) {}
 const PredType PredType::NotAtexit;	// only for atexit/global dest. problem
 
 // Definition of pre-defined types
-const PredType PredType::C_S1( H5T_C_S1 );
-const PredType PredType::FORTRAN_S1( H5T_FORTRAN_S1 );
-
-const PredType PredType::STD_I8BE( H5T_STD_I8BE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_I8LE( H5T_STD_I8LE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_I16BE( H5T_STD_I16BE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_I16LE( H5T_STD_I16LE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_I32BE( H5T_STD_I32BE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_I32LE( H5T_STD_I32LE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_I64BE( H5T_STD_I64BE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_I64LE( H5T_STD_I64LE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_U8BE( H5T_STD_U8BE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_U8LE( H5T_STD_U8LE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_U16BE( H5T_STD_U16BE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_U16LE( H5T_STD_U16LE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_U32BE( H5T_STD_U32BE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_U32LE( H5T_STD_U32LE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_U64BE( H5T_STD_U64BE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_U64LE( H5T_STD_U64LE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_B8BE( H5T_STD_B8BE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_B8LE( H5T_STD_B8LE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_B16BE( H5T_STD_B16BE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_B16LE( H5T_STD_B16LE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_B32BE( H5T_STD_B32BE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_B32LE( H5T_STD_B32LE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_B64BE( H5T_STD_B64BE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_B64LE( H5T_STD_B64LE );
-const PredType PredType::STD_REF_OBJ( H5T_STD_REF_OBJ );
-const PredType PredType::STD_REF_DSETREG( H5T_STD_REF_DSETREG );
-
-const PredType PredType::IEEE_F32BE( H5T_IEEE_F32BE );
-const PredType PredType::IEEE_F32LE( H5T_IEEE_F32LE );
-const PredType PredType::IEEE_F64BE( H5T_IEEE_F64BE );
-const PredType PredType::IEEE_F64LE( H5T_IEEE_F64LE );
-
-const PredType PredType::UNIX_D32BE( H5T_UNIX_D32BE );
-const PredType PredType::UNIX_D32LE( H5T_UNIX_D32LE );
-const PredType PredType::UNIX_D64BE( H5T_UNIX_D64BE );
-const PredType PredType::UNIX_D64LE( H5T_UNIX_D64LE );
-
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_I8( H5T_INTEL_I8 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_I16( H5T_INTEL_I16 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_I32( H5T_INTEL_I32 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_I64( H5T_INTEL_I64 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_U8( H5T_INTEL_U8 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_U16( H5T_INTEL_U16 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_U32( H5T_INTEL_U32 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_U64( H5T_INTEL_U64 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_B8( H5T_INTEL_B8 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_B16( H5T_INTEL_B16 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_B32( H5T_INTEL_B32 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_B64( H5T_INTEL_B64 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_F32( H5T_INTEL_F32 );
-const PredType PredType::INTEL_F64( H5T_INTEL_F64 );
-
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_I8( H5T_ALPHA_I8 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_I16( H5T_ALPHA_I16 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_I32( H5T_ALPHA_I32 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_I64( H5T_ALPHA_I64 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_U8( H5T_ALPHA_U8 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_U16( H5T_ALPHA_U16 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_U32( H5T_ALPHA_U32 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_U64( H5T_ALPHA_U64 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_B8( H5T_ALPHA_B8 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_B16( H5T_ALPHA_B16 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_B32( H5T_ALPHA_B32 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_B64( H5T_ALPHA_B64 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_F32( H5T_ALPHA_F32 );
-const PredType PredType::ALPHA_F64( H5T_ALPHA_F64 );
-
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_I8( H5T_MIPS_I8 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_I16( H5T_MIPS_I16 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_I32( H5T_MIPS_I32 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_I64( H5T_MIPS_I64 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_U8( H5T_MIPS_U8 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_U16( H5T_MIPS_U16 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_U32( H5T_MIPS_U32 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_U64( H5T_MIPS_U64 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_B8( H5T_MIPS_B8 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_B16( H5T_MIPS_B16 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_B32( H5T_MIPS_B32 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_B64( H5T_MIPS_B64 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_F32( H5T_MIPS_F32 );
-const PredType PredType::MIPS_F64( H5T_MIPS_F64 );
-
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_CHAR( H5T_NATIVE_CHAR );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT( H5T_NATIVE_INT );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_FLOAT( H5T_NATIVE_FLOAT );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_SCHAR( H5T_NATIVE_SCHAR );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UCHAR( H5T_NATIVE_UCHAR );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_SHORT( H5T_NATIVE_SHORT );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_USHORT( H5T_NATIVE_USHORT );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT( H5T_NATIVE_UINT );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_LONG( H5T_NATIVE_LONG );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_ULONG( H5T_NATIVE_ULONG );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_LLONG( H5T_NATIVE_LLONG );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_ULLONG( H5T_NATIVE_ULLONG );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_DOUBLE( H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_LDOUBLE( H5T_NATIVE_LDOUBLE );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_B8( H5T_NATIVE_B8 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_B16( H5T_NATIVE_B16 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_B32( H5T_NATIVE_B32 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_B64( H5T_NATIVE_B64 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_OPAQUE( H5T_NATIVE_OPAQUE );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_HSIZE( H5T_NATIVE_HSIZE );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_HSSIZE( H5T_NATIVE_HSSIZE );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_HERR( H5T_NATIVE_HERR );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_HBOOL( H5T_NATIVE_HBOOL );
-
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT8( H5T_NATIVE_INT8 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT8( H5T_NATIVE_UINT8 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_LEAST8( H5T_NATIVE_INT_LEAST8 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_LEAST8( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST8 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_FAST8( H5T_NATIVE_INT_FAST8 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_FAST8( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_FAST8 );
-
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT16( H5T_NATIVE_INT16 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT16( H5T_NATIVE_UINT16 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_LEAST16( H5T_NATIVE_INT_LEAST16 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_LEAST16( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST16 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_FAST16( H5T_NATIVE_INT_FAST16 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_FAST16( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_FAST16 );
-
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT32( H5T_NATIVE_INT32 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT32( H5T_NATIVE_UINT32 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_LEAST32( H5T_NATIVE_INT_LEAST32 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_LEAST32( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST32 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_FAST32( H5T_NATIVE_INT_FAST32 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_FAST32( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_FAST32 );
-
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT64( H5T_NATIVE_INT64 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT64( H5T_NATIVE_UINT64 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_LEAST64( H5T_NATIVE_INT_LEAST64 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_LEAST64( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST64 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_FAST64( H5T_NATIVE_INT_FAST64 );
-const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_FAST64( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_FAST64 );
+// Note: the parameter E_xxxx_yyyy is the enum value that represents 
+// the corresponding HDF5 predefined type H5T_xxxx_yyyy.  This enum value
+// is stored in PredType::id since it is a PredType object id, in a way.
+// In addition, this storage makes things safely simpler.  When a PredType
+// object is used, the virtual PredType::getId will base on the enum
+// value to return the correct HDF5 predefined type id.
+
+const PredType PredType::C_S1( E_C_S1 );
+const PredType PredType::FORTRAN_S1( E_FORTRAN_S1 );
+
+const PredType PredType::STD_I8BE( E_STD_I8BE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_I8LE( E_STD_I8LE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_I16BE( E_STD_I16BE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_I16LE( E_STD_I16LE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_I32BE( E_STD_I32BE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_I32LE( E_STD_I32LE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_I64BE( E_STD_I64BE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_I64LE( E_STD_I64LE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_U8BE( E_STD_U8BE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_U8LE( E_STD_U8LE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_U16BE( E_STD_U16BE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_U16LE( E_STD_U16LE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_U32BE( E_STD_U32BE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_U32LE( E_STD_U32LE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_U64BE( E_STD_U64BE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_U64LE( E_STD_U64LE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_B8BE( E_STD_B8BE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_B8LE( E_STD_B8LE );
+
+const PredType PredType::STD_B16BE( E_STD_B16BE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_B16LE( E_STD_B16LE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_B32BE( E_STD_B32BE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_B32LE( E_STD_B32LE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_B64BE( E_STD_B64BE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_B64LE( E_STD_B64LE );
+const PredType PredType::STD_REF_OBJ( E_STD_REF_OBJ );
+const PredType PredType::STD_REF_DSETREG( E_STD_REF_DSETREG );
+
+const PredType PredType::IEEE_F32BE( E_IEEE_F32BE );
+const PredType PredType::IEEE_F32LE( E_IEEE_F32LE );
+const PredType PredType::IEEE_F64BE( E_IEEE_F64BE );
+const PredType PredType::IEEE_F64LE( E_IEEE_F64LE );
+
+const PredType PredType::UNIX_D32BE( E_UNIX_D32BE );
+const PredType PredType::UNIX_D32LE( E_UNIX_D32LE );
+const PredType PredType::UNIX_D64BE( E_UNIX_D64BE );
+const PredType PredType::UNIX_D64LE( E_UNIX_D64LE );
+
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_I8( E_INTEL_I8 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_I16( E_INTEL_I16 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_I32( E_INTEL_I32 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_I64( E_INTEL_I64 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_U8( E_INTEL_U8 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_U16( E_INTEL_U16 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_U32( E_INTEL_U32 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_U64( E_INTEL_U64 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_B8( E_INTEL_B8 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_B16( E_INTEL_B16 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_B32( E_INTEL_B32 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_B64( E_INTEL_B64 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_F32( E_INTEL_F32 );
+const PredType PredType::INTEL_F64( E_INTEL_F64 );
+
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_I8( E_ALPHA_I8 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_I16( E_ALPHA_I16 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_I32( E_ALPHA_I32 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_I64( E_ALPHA_I64 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_U8( E_ALPHA_U8 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_U16( E_ALPHA_U16 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_U32( E_ALPHA_U32 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_U64( E_ALPHA_U64 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_B8( E_ALPHA_B8 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_B16( E_ALPHA_B16 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_B32( E_ALPHA_B32 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_B64( E_ALPHA_B64 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_F32( E_ALPHA_F32 );
+const PredType PredType::ALPHA_F64( E_ALPHA_F64 );
+
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_I8( E_MIPS_I8 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_I16( E_MIPS_I16 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_I32( E_MIPS_I32 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_I64( E_MIPS_I64 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_U8( E_MIPS_U8 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_U16( E_MIPS_U16 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_U32( E_MIPS_U32 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_U64( E_MIPS_U64 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_B8( E_MIPS_B8 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_B16( E_MIPS_B16 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_B32( E_MIPS_B32 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_B64( E_MIPS_B64 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_F32( E_MIPS_F32 );
+const PredType PredType::MIPS_F64( E_MIPS_F64 );
+
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_CHAR( E_NATIVE_CHAR );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT( E_NATIVE_INT );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_FLOAT( E_NATIVE_FLOAT );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_SCHAR( E_NATIVE_SCHAR );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UCHAR( E_NATIVE_UCHAR );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_SHORT( E_NATIVE_SHORT );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_USHORT( E_NATIVE_USHORT );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT( E_NATIVE_UINT );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_LONG( E_NATIVE_LONG );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_ULONG( E_NATIVE_ULONG );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_LLONG( E_NATIVE_LLONG );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_ULLONG( E_NATIVE_ULLONG );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_DOUBLE( E_NATIVE_DOUBLE );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_LDOUBLE( E_NATIVE_LDOUBLE );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_B8( E_NATIVE_B8 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_B16( E_NATIVE_B16 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_B32( E_NATIVE_B32 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_B64( E_NATIVE_B64 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_OPAQUE( E_NATIVE_OPAQUE );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_HSIZE( E_NATIVE_HSIZE );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_HSSIZE( E_NATIVE_HSSIZE );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_HERR( E_NATIVE_HERR );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_HBOOL( E_NATIVE_HBOOL );
+
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT8( E_NATIVE_INT8 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT8( E_NATIVE_UINT8 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_LEAST8( E_NATIVE_INT_LEAST8 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_LEAST8( E_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST8 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_FAST8( E_NATIVE_INT_FAST8 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_FAST8( E_NATIVE_UINT_FAST8 );
+
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT16( E_NATIVE_INT16 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT16( E_NATIVE_UINT16 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_LEAST16( E_NATIVE_INT_LEAST16 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_LEAST16( E_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST16 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_FAST16( E_NATIVE_INT_FAST16 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_FAST16( E_NATIVE_UINT_FAST16 );
+
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT32( E_NATIVE_INT32 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT32( E_NATIVE_UINT32 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_LEAST32( E_NATIVE_INT_LEAST32 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_LEAST32( E_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST32 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_FAST32( E_NATIVE_INT_FAST32 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_FAST32( E_NATIVE_UINT_FAST32 );
+
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT64( E_NATIVE_INT64 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT64( E_NATIVE_UINT64 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_LEAST64( E_NATIVE_INT_LEAST64 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_LEAST64( E_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST64 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_INT_FAST64( E_NATIVE_INT_FAST64 );
+const PredType PredType::NATIVE_UINT_FAST64( E_NATIVE_UINT_FAST64 );
+
+hid_t PredType::getId() const
+{
+    switch( id ) {
+	case E_C_S1:
+	    return( H5T_C_S1 );
+	case E_FORTRAN_S1:
+	    return( H5T_FORTRAN_S1 );
+
+	case E_STD_I8BE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_I8BE );
+	case E_STD_I8LE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_I8LE );
+	case E_STD_I16BE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_I16BE );
+	case E_STD_I16LE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_I16LE );
+	case E_STD_I32BE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_I32BE );
+	case E_STD_I32LE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_I32LE );
+	case E_STD_I64BE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_I64BE );
+	case E_STD_I64LE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_I64LE );
+	case E_STD_U8BE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_U8BE );
+	case E_STD_U8LE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_U8LE );
+	case E_STD_U16BE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_U16BE );
+	case E_STD_U16LE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_U16LE );
+	case E_STD_U32BE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_U32BE );
+	case E_STD_U32LE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_U32LE );
+	case E_STD_U64BE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_U64BE );
+	case E_STD_U64LE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_U64LE );
+	case E_STD_B8BE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_B8BE );
+	case E_STD_B8LE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_B8LE );
+
+	case E_STD_B16BE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_B16BE );
+	case E_STD_B16LE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_B16LE );
+	case E_STD_B32BE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_B32BE );
+	case E_STD_B32LE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_B32LE );
+	case E_STD_B64BE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_B64BE );
+	case E_STD_B64LE:
+	    return( H5T_STD_B64LE );
+	case E_STD_REF_OBJ:
+	    return( H5T_STD_REF_OBJ );
+	case E_STD_REF_DSETREG:
+	    return( H5T_STD_REF_DSETREG );
+
+	case E_IEEE_F32BE:
+	    return( H5T_IEEE_F32BE );
+	case E_IEEE_F32LE:
+	    return( H5T_IEEE_F32LE );
+	case E_IEEE_F64BE:
+	    return( H5T_IEEE_F64BE );
+	case E_IEEE_F64LE:
+	    return( H5T_IEEE_F64LE );
+
+	case E_UNIX_D32BE:
+	    return( H5T_UNIX_D32BE );
+	case E_UNIX_D32LE:
+	    return( H5T_UNIX_D32LE );
+	case E_UNIX_D64BE:
+	    return( H5T_UNIX_D64BE );
+	case E_UNIX_D64LE:
+	    return( H5T_UNIX_D64LE );
+
+	case E_INTEL_I8:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_I8 );
+	case E_INTEL_I16:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_I16 );
+	case E_INTEL_I32:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_I32 );
+	case E_INTEL_I64:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_I64 );
+	case E_INTEL_U8:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_U8 );
+	case E_INTEL_U16:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_U16 );
+	case E_INTEL_U32:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_U32 );
+	case E_INTEL_U64:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_U64 );
+	case E_INTEL_B8:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_B8 );
+	case E_INTEL_B16:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_B16 );
+	case E_INTEL_B32:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_B32 );
+	case E_INTEL_B64:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_B64 );
+	case E_INTEL_F32:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_F32 );
+	case E_INTEL_F64:
+	    return( H5T_INTEL_F64 );
+
+	case E_ALPHA_I8:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_I8 );
+	case E_ALPHA_I16:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_I16 );
+	case E_ALPHA_I32:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_I32 );
+	case E_ALPHA_I64:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_I64 );
+	case E_ALPHA_U8:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_U8 );
+	case E_ALPHA_U16:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_U16 );
+	case E_ALPHA_U32:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_U32 );
+	case E_ALPHA_U64:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_U64 );
+	case E_ALPHA_B8:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_B8 );
+	case E_ALPHA_B16:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_B16 );
+	case E_ALPHA_B32:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_B32 );
+	case E_ALPHA_B64:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_B64 );
+	case E_ALPHA_F32:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_F32 );
+	case E_ALPHA_F64:
+	    return( H5T_ALPHA_F64 );
+
+	case E_MIPS_I8:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_I8 );
+	case E_MIPS_I16:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_I16 );
+	case E_MIPS_I32:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_I32 );
+	case E_MIPS_I64:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_I64 );
+	case E_MIPS_U8:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_U8 );
+	case E_MIPS_U16:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_U16 );
+	case E_MIPS_U32:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_U32 );
+	case E_MIPS_U64:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_U64 );
+	case E_MIPS_B8:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_B8 );
+	case E_MIPS_B16:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_B16 );
+	case E_MIPS_B32:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_B32 );
+	case E_MIPS_B64:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_B64 );
+	case E_MIPS_F32:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_F32 );
+	case E_MIPS_F64:
+	    return( H5T_MIPS_F64 );
+
+	case E_NATIVE_CHAR:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_CHAR );
+	case E_NATIVE_INT:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT );
+	case E_NATIVE_FLOAT:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_FLOAT );
+	case E_NATIVE_SCHAR:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_SCHAR );
+	case E_NATIVE_UCHAR:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UCHAR );
+	case E_NATIVE_SHORT:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_SHORT );
+	case E_NATIVE_USHORT:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_USHORT );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT );
+	case E_NATIVE_LONG:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_LONG );
+	case E_NATIVE_ULONG:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_ULONG );
+	case E_NATIVE_LLONG:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_LLONG );
+	case E_NATIVE_ULLONG:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_ULLONG );
+	case E_NATIVE_DOUBLE:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE );
+	case E_NATIVE_LDOUBLE:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_LDOUBLE );
+	case E_NATIVE_B8:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_B8 );
+	case E_NATIVE_B16:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_B16 );
+	case E_NATIVE_B32:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_B32 );
+	case E_NATIVE_B64:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_B64 );
+	case E_NATIVE_OPAQUE:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_OPAQUE );
+	case E_NATIVE_HSIZE:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_HSIZE );
+	case E_NATIVE_HSSIZE:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_HSSIZE );
+	case E_NATIVE_HERR:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_HERR );
+	case E_NATIVE_HBOOL:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_HBOOL );
+
+	case E_NATIVE_INT8:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT8 );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT8:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT8 );
+	case E_NATIVE_INT_LEAST8:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT_LEAST8 );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST8:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST8 );
+	case E_NATIVE_INT_FAST8:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT_FAST8 );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT_FAST8:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_FAST8 );
+
+	case E_NATIVE_INT16:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT16 );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT16:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT16 );
+	case E_NATIVE_INT_LEAST16:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT_LEAST16 );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST16:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST16 );
+	case E_NATIVE_INT_FAST16:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT_FAST16 );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT_FAST16:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_FAST16 );
+
+	case E_NATIVE_INT32:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT32 );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT32:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT32 );
+	case E_NATIVE_INT_LEAST32:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT_LEAST32 );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST32:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST32 );
+	case E_NATIVE_INT_FAST32:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT_FAST32 );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT_FAST32:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_FAST32 );
+
+	case E_NATIVE_INT64:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT64 );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT64:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT64 );
+	case E_NATIVE_INT_LEAST64:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT_LEAST64 );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST64:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST64 );
+	case E_NATIVE_INT_FAST64:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_INT_FAST64 );
+	case E_NATIVE_UINT_FAST64:
+	    return( H5T_NATIVE_UINT_FAST64 );
+
+	default:
+	    return( INVALID );
+    }   // end switch
+}   // end of getId()
 
 // These dummy functions do not inherit from DataType - they'll
 // throw an DataTypeIException if invoked.
diff --git a/c++/src/H5PredType.h b/c++/src/H5PredType.h
index 552605a..341954a 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5PredType.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5PredType.h
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ class PredType : public AtomType {
 	// Copy constructor - makes copy of the original object
 	PredType( const PredType& original );
 
+virtual hid_t getId() const;
+hid_t getenum() const { return id; }  // remove when done
 
 	// Declaration of predefined types; their definition is in Predtype.C
 	static const PredType STD_I8BE;
@@ -167,7 +169,55 @@ class PredType : public AtomType {
    private:
 	// added this to work around the atexit/global destructor problem 
 	// temporarily - it'll prevent the use of atexit to clean up
-	static const PredType NotAtexit;
+	static const PredType NotAtexit;	// not working yet
+
+	// This enum type is used by this class only to handle the
+	// global PredType objects.  These values will ensure that the
+	// application receives an appropriate and uptodated id for an
+	// HDF5 predefined type; particularly usefull when the application
+	// closes and opens the library again.
+	enum predefined_types {
+
+	    INVALID = 0, E_C_S1 = 1, E_FORTRAN_S1,
+
+	    E_STD_I8BE, E_STD_I8LE, E_STD_I16BE, E_STD_I16LE, E_STD_I32BE,
+	    E_STD_I32LE, E_STD_I64BE, E_STD_I64LE, E_STD_U8BE, E_STD_U8LE,
+	    E_STD_U16BE, E_STD_U16LE, E_STD_U32BE, E_STD_U32LE, E_STD_U64BE,
+	    E_STD_U64LE, E_STD_B8BE, E_STD_B8LE, E_STD_B16BE, E_STD_B16LE, 
+	    E_STD_B32BE, E_STD_B32LE, E_STD_B64BE, E_STD_B64LE, E_STD_REF_OBJ,
+	    E_STD_REF_DSETREG,
+
+	    E_IEEE_F32BE, E_IEEE_F32LE, E_IEEE_F64BE, E_IEEE_F64LE,
+
+	    E_UNIX_D32BE, E_UNIX_D32LE, E_UNIX_D64BE, E_UNIX_D64LE,
+
+	    E_INTEL_I8, E_INTEL_I16, E_INTEL_I32, E_INTEL_I64, E_INTEL_U8,
+	    E_INTEL_U16, E_INTEL_U32, E_INTEL_U64, E_INTEL_B8, E_INTEL_B16,
+	    E_INTEL_B32, E_INTEL_B64, E_INTEL_F32, E_INTEL_F64,
+
+	    E_ALPHA_I8, E_ALPHA_I16, E_ALPHA_I32, E_ALPHA_I64, E_ALPHA_U8,
+	    E_ALPHA_U16, E_ALPHA_U32, E_ALPHA_U64, E_ALPHA_B8, E_ALPHA_B16,
+	    E_ALPHA_B32, E_ALPHA_B64, E_ALPHA_F32, E_ALPHA_F64,
+
+	    E_MIPS_I8, E_MIPS_I16, E_MIPS_I32, E_MIPS_I64, E_MIPS_U8, 
+	    E_MIPS_U16, E_MIPS_U32, E_MIPS_U64, E_MIPS_B8, E_MIPS_B16, 
+	    E_MIPS_B32, E_MIPS_B64, E_MIPS_F32, E_MIPS_F64,
+
+	    E_NATIVE_CHAR, E_NATIVE_INT, E_NATIVE_FLOAT, E_NATIVE_SCHAR,
+	    E_NATIVE_UCHAR, E_NATIVE_SHORT, E_NATIVE_USHORT, E_NATIVE_UINT,
+	    E_NATIVE_LONG, E_NATIVE_ULONG, E_NATIVE_LLONG, E_NATIVE_ULLONG,
+	    E_NATIVE_DOUBLE, E_NATIVE_LDOUBLE, E_NATIVE_B8, E_NATIVE_B16,
+	    E_NATIVE_B32, E_NATIVE_B64, E_NATIVE_OPAQUE, E_NATIVE_HSIZE,
+	    E_NATIVE_HSSIZE, E_NATIVE_HERR, E_NATIVE_HBOOL, E_NATIVE_INT8,
+	    E_NATIVE_UINT8, E_NATIVE_INT_LEAST8, E_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST8,
+	    E_NATIVE_INT_FAST8, E_NATIVE_UINT_FAST8, E_NATIVE_INT16,
+	    E_NATIVE_UINT16, E_NATIVE_INT_LEAST16, E_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST16,
+	    E_NATIVE_INT_FAST16, E_NATIVE_UINT_FAST16, E_NATIVE_INT32,
+	    E_NATIVE_UINT32, E_NATIVE_INT_LEAST32, E_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST32,
+	    E_NATIVE_INT_FAST32, E_NATIVE_UINT_FAST32, E_NATIVE_INT64,
+	    E_NATIVE_UINT64, E_NATIVE_INT_LEAST64, E_NATIVE_UINT_LEAST64,
+	    E_NATIVE_INT_FAST64, E_NATIVE_UINT_FAST64
+	};
 
    protected:
 	// Default constructor
diff --git a/c++/src/H5PropList.cpp b/c++/src/H5PropList.cpp
index 8609b60..2da84e9 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5PropList.cpp
+++ b/c++/src/H5PropList.cpp
@@ -64,6 +64,14 @@ void PropList::copy( const PropList& like_plist )
    }
 }
 
+// Makes a copy of the property list on the right hand side and stores 
+// the new id in the left hand side object.
+PropList& PropList::operator=( const PropList& rhs )
+{
+   copy(rhs);
+   return(*this);
+}
+
 // Closes the property list if it is not a default one
 void PropList::p_close() const
 {
diff --git a/c++/src/H5PropList.h b/c++/src/H5PropList.h
index 7243076..037b0d8 100644
--- a/c++/src/H5PropList.h
+++ b/c++/src/H5PropList.h
@@ -25,11 +25,7 @@ class PropList : public IdComponent {
 	void copy( const PropList& like_plist );
 
 	// Make a copy of the given property list using assignment statement
-	//PropList& operator=( const PropList& rhs );
-
-	// Sets and gets PropList's data member
-        //hid_t getId () const;
-        //void setId( hid_t new_plist_id );
+	virtual PropList& operator=( const PropList& rhs );
 
 	// Gets the class of this property list, i.e. H5P_FILE_CREATE,
 	// H5P_FILE_ACCESS, ...