Push updates from develop

8 files changed, 605 insertions, 269 deletions

diff --git a/java/src/hdf/hdf5lib/HDF5Constants.java b/java/src/hdf/hdf5lib/HDF5Constants.java
index 43109f2..7eddac0 100644
--- a/java/src/hdf/hdf5lib/HDF5Constants.java
+++ b/java/src/hdf/hdf5lib/HDF5Constants.java
@@ -623,6 +623,7 @@ public class HDF5Constants {
     public static final long H5T_UNIX_D64LE = H5T_UNIX_D64LE();
     public static final long H5T_VARIABLE = H5T_VARIABLE();
     public static final int H5T_VLEN = H5T_VLEN();
+    public static final int H5T_VL_T = H5T_VL_T();
     public static final int H5Z_CB_CONT = H5Z_CB_CONT();
     public static final int H5Z_CB_ERROR = H5Z_CB_ERROR();
     public static final int H5Z_CB_FAIL = H5Z_CB_FAIL();
@@ -1825,6 +1826,8 @@ public class HDF5Constants {
 
     private static native final int H5T_VLEN();
 
+    private static native final int H5T_VL_T();
+
     private static native final int H5Z_CB_CONT();
 
     private static native final int H5Z_CB_ERROR();
diff --git a/java/src/hdf/hdf5lib/HDFArray.java b/java/src/hdf/hdf5lib/HDFArray.java
index 529aecb..30f0fc8 100644
--- a/java/src/hdf/hdf5lib/HDFArray.java
+++ b/java/src/hdf/hdf5lib/HDFArray.java
@@ -1025,8 +1025,11 @@ class ArrayDescriptor {
             NTsize = 8;
         }
         else if (css.startsWith("Ljava.lang.String")) {
+            NT = 'L';
+            className = "java.lang.String";
+            NTsize = 1;
             throw new HDF5JavaException(new String(
-                    "ArrayDesciptor: Error:  String array not supported yet"));
+                    "ArrayDesciptor: Warning:  String array not fully supported yet"));
         }
         else {
             /*
diff --git a/java/src/jni/h5Constants.c b/java/src/jni/h5Constants.c
index 0f4361f..c99745d 100644
--- a/java/src/jni/h5Constants.c
+++ b/java/src/jni/h5Constants.c
@@ -1231,6 +1231,8 @@ JNIEXPORT jlong JNICALL
 Java_hdf_hdf5lib_HDF5Constants_H5T_1VARIABLE(JNIEnv *env, jclass cls) { return (int)H5T_VARIABLE; }
 JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
 Java_hdf_hdf5lib_HDF5Constants_H5T_1VLEN(JNIEnv *env, jclass cls) { return H5T_VLEN; }
+JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
+Java_hdf_hdf5lib_HDF5Constants_H5T_1VL_1T(JNIEnv *env, jclass cls) { return sizeof(hvl_t); }
 
 JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
 Java_hdf_hdf5lib_HDF5Constants_H5Z_1CB_1CONT(JNIEnv *env, jclass cls) { return H5Z_CB_CONT; }
diff --git a/java/src/jni/h5aImp.c b/java/src/jni/h5aImp.c
index 26ec4fc..13f5207 100644
--- a/java/src/jni/h5aImp.c
+++ b/java/src/jni/h5aImp.c
@@ -49,6 +49,10 @@ extern jobject visit_callback;
 /* Local Prototypes */
 /********************/
 
+static herr_t H5AwriteVL_asstr (JNIEnv *env, hid_t attr_id, hid_t mem_id, jobjectArray buf);
+static herr_t H5AwriteVL_str (JNIEnv *env, hid_t attr_id, hid_t mem_id, jobjectArray buf);
+static herr_t H5AreadVL_asstr (JNIEnv *env, hid_t attr_id, hid_t mem_id, jobjectArray buf);
+static herr_t H5AreadVL_str (JNIEnv *env, hid_t attr_id, hid_t mem_id, jobjectArray buf);
 static herr_t H5A_iterate_cb(hid_t g_id, const char *name, const H5A_info_t *info, void *op_data);
 
 
@@ -178,7 +182,6 @@ Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5Aread
         } /* end if */
         else {
             status = H5Aread((hid_t)attr_id, (hid_t)mem_type_id, byteP);
-
             if (status < 0) {
                 ENVPTR->ReleaseByteArrayElements(ENVPAR buf, byteP, JNI_ABORT);
                 h5libraryError(env);
@@ -194,6 +197,323 @@ Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5Aread
 
 /*
  * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
+ * Method:    H5AwriteVL
+ * Signature: (JJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
+ */
+JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
+Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5AwriteVL
+    (JNIEnv *env, jclass clss, jlong attr_id, jlong mem_type_id, jobjectArray buf)
+{
+    herr_t  status = -1;
+    htri_t  isStr = 0;
+    htri_t  isVlenStr = 0;
+    htri_t  isComplex = 0;
+
+    if (buf == NULL) {
+        h5nullArgument(env, "H5AwriteVL:  buf is NULL");
+    } /* end if */
+    else {
+        isStr = H5Tdetect_class((hid_t)mem_type_id, H5T_STRING);
+        if (H5Tget_class((hid_t)mem_type_id) == H5T_COMPOUND) {
+            unsigned i;
+            int nm = H5Tget_nmembers(mem_type_id);
+            for(i = 0; i <nm; i++) {
+                hid_t nested_tid = H5Tget_member_type((hid_t)mem_type_id, i);
+                isComplex = H5Tdetect_class((hid_t)nested_tid, H5T_COMPOUND) ||
+                            H5Tdetect_class((hid_t)nested_tid, H5T_VLEN);
+                H5Tclose(nested_tid);
+            }
+        }
+        else if (H5Tget_class((hid_t)mem_type_id) == H5T_VLEN) {
+            isVlenStr = 1; /* strings created by H5Tvlen_create(H5T_C_S1) */
+        }
+        if (isStr == 0 || isComplex>0 || isVlenStr) {
+            status = H5AwriteVL_asstr(env, (hid_t)attr_id, (hid_t)mem_type_id, buf);
+        }
+        else if (isStr > 0) {
+            status = H5AwriteVL_str(env, (hid_t)attr_id, (hid_t)mem_type_id, buf);
+        }
+    } /* end else */
+
+    return (jint)status;
+} /* end Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5Awrite_1VL */
+
+herr_t
+H5AwriteVL_str
+    (JNIEnv *env, hid_t aid, hid_t tid, jobjectArray buf)
+{
+    herr_t  status = -1;
+    char  **wdata;
+    jsize   size;
+    jint    i;
+
+    size = ENVPTR->GetArrayLength(ENVPAR (jarray) buf);
+
+    wdata = (char**)HDcalloc((size_t)size + 1, sizeof(char*));
+    if (!wdata) {
+        h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5AwriteVL_str:  cannot allocate buffer");
+    } /* end if */
+    else {
+        HDmemset(wdata, 0, (size_t)size * sizeof(char*));
+        for (i = 0; i < size; ++i) {
+            jstring obj = (jstring) ENVPTR->GetObjectArrayElement(ENVPAR (jobjectArray) buf, i);
+            if (obj != 0) {
+                jsize length = ENVPTR->GetStringUTFLength(ENVPAR obj);
+                const char *utf8 = ENVPTR->GetStringUTFChars(ENVPAR obj, 0);
+
+                if (utf8) {
+                    wdata[i] = (char*)HDmalloc((size_t)length + 1);
+                    if (wdata[i]) {
+                        HDmemset(wdata[i], 0, ((size_t)length + 1));
+                        HDstrncpy(wdata[i], utf8, (size_t)length);
+                    } /* end if */
+                } /* end if */
+
+                ENVPTR->ReleaseStringUTFChars(ENVPAR obj, utf8);
+                ENVPTR->DeleteLocalRef(ENVPAR obj);
+            } /* end if */
+        } /* end for (i = 0; i < size; ++i) */
+
+        status = H5Awrite((hid_t)aid, (hid_t)tid, wdata);
+
+        for (i = 0; i < size; i++) {
+            if(wdata[i]) {
+                HDfree(wdata[i]);
+            } /* end if */
+        } /* end for */
+        HDfree(wdata);
+
+        if (status < 0)
+            h5libraryError(env);
+    } /* end else */
+
+    return (jint)status;
+}
+
+herr_t
+H5AwriteVL_asstr
+    (JNIEnv *env, hid_t aid, hid_t tid, jobjectArray buf)
+{
+    char  **strs;
+    jstring jstr;
+    jint    i;
+    jint    n;
+    hid_t   sid;
+    hsize_t dims[H5S_MAX_RANK];
+    herr_t  status = -1;
+
+    n = ENVPTR->GetArrayLength(ENVPAR buf);
+    strs =(hvl_t*)HDcalloc((size_t)n, sizeof(hvl_t));
+
+    if (strs == NULL) {
+        h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5AwriteVL_asstr:  failed to allocate buff for read variable length strings");
+    } /* end if */
+    else {
+        status = H5Awrite(aid, tid, strs);
+
+        if (status < 0) {
+            dims[0] = (hsize_t)n;
+            sid = H5Screate_simple(1, dims, NULL);
+            H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, sid, H5P_DEFAULT, strs);
+            H5Sclose(sid);
+            HDfree(strs);
+            h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5AwriteVL_str: failed to read variable length strings");
+        } /* end if */
+        else {
+            for (i=0; i < n; i++) {
+                jstr = ENVPTR->NewStringUTF(ENVPAR strs[i]);
+                ENVPTR->SetObjectArrayElement(ENVPAR buf, i, jstr);
+                H5free_memory (strs[i]);
+            } /* end for */
+
+            /*
+            for repeatedly reading a dataset with a large number of strs (e.g., 1,000,000 strings,
+            H5Dvlen_reclaim() may crash on Windows because the Java GC will not be able to collect
+            free space in time. Instead, use "H5free_memory(strs[i])" above to free individual strings
+            after it is done.
+            H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, mem_sid, xfer_plist_id, strs);
+            */
+
+            HDfree(strs);
+        } /* end else */
+    } /* end else */
+
+    return status;
+} /* end H5AwriteVL_str */
+
+/*
+ * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
+ * Method:    H5AreadVL
+ * Signature: (JJJJJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
+ */
+JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
+Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5AreadVL
+    (JNIEnv *env, jclass clss, jlong attr_id, jlong mem_type_id, jobjectArray buf)
+{
+    herr_t  status = -1;
+    htri_t  isStr = 0;
+    htri_t  isVlenStr = 0;
+    htri_t  isComplex = 0;
+
+    if (buf == NULL) {
+        h5nullArgument(env, "H5AreadVL:  buf is NULL");
+    } /* end if */
+    else {
+        isStr = H5Tdetect_class((hid_t)mem_type_id, H5T_STRING);
+        if (H5Tget_class((hid_t)mem_type_id) == H5T_COMPOUND) {
+            unsigned i;
+            int nm = H5Tget_nmembers(mem_type_id);
+            for(i = 0; i <nm; i++) {
+                hid_t nested_tid = H5Tget_member_type((hid_t)mem_type_id, i);
+                isComplex = H5Tdetect_class((hid_t)nested_tid, H5T_COMPOUND) ||
+                            H5Tdetect_class((hid_t)nested_tid, H5T_VLEN);
+                H5Tclose(nested_tid);
+            }
+        }
+        else if (H5Tget_class((hid_t)mem_type_id) == H5T_VLEN) {
+            isVlenStr = 1; /* strings created by H5Tvlen_create(H5T_C_S1) */
+        }
+        if (isStr == 0 || isComplex>0 || isVlenStr) {
+            status = H5AreadVL_asstr(env, (hid_t)attr_id, (hid_t)mem_type_id, buf);
+        }
+        else if (isStr > 0) {
+            status = H5AreadVL_str(env, (hid_t)attr_id, (hid_t)mem_type_id, buf);
+        }
+    } /* end else */
+
+    return (jint)status;
+} /* end Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5Aread_1VL */
+
+herr_t
+H5AreadVL_asstr
+    (JNIEnv *env, hid_t aid, hid_t tid, jobjectArray buf)
+{
+    jint    i;
+    jint    n;
+    hid_t   sid;
+    jstring jstr;
+    h5str_t h5str;
+    hvl_t  *rdata;
+    hsize_t dims[H5S_MAX_RANK];
+    size_t  size;
+    size_t  max_len = 0;
+    herr_t  status = -1;
+
+    /* Get size of string array */
+    n = ENVPTR->GetArrayLength(ENVPAR buf);
+    /* we will need to read n number of hvl_t structures */
+    rdata = (hvl_t*)HDcalloc((size_t)n, sizeof(hvl_t));
+    if (rdata == NULL) {
+        h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5AreadVL_asstr:  failed to allocate buff for read");
+    } /* end if */
+    else {
+        status = H5Aread(aid, tid, rdata);
+
+        if (status < 0) {
+            dims[0] = (hsize_t)n;
+            sid = H5Screate_simple(1, dims, NULL);
+            H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, sid, H5P_DEFAULT, rdata);
+            H5Sclose(sid);
+            HDfree(rdata);
+            h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5AreadVL_asstr: failed to read data");
+        } /* end if */
+        else {
+            /* calculate the largest size of all the hvl_t structures read */
+            max_len = 1;
+            for (i=0; i < n; i++) {
+                if ((rdata + i)->len > max_len)
+                    max_len = (rdata + i)->len;
+            }
+
+            /* create one malloc to hold largest element */
+            size = H5Tget_size(tid) * max_len;
+            HDmemset(&h5str, 0, sizeof(h5str_t));
+            h5str_new(&h5str, 4 * size);
+
+            if (h5str.s == NULL) {
+                dims[0] = (hsize_t)n;
+                sid = H5Screate_simple(1, dims, NULL);
+                H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, sid, H5P_DEFAULT, rdata);
+                H5Sclose(sid);
+                HDfree(rdata);
+                h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5AreadVL_asstr:  failed to allocate buf");
+            } /* end if */
+            else {
+                H5T_class_t tclass = H5Tget_class(tid);
+                /* convert each element to char string */
+                for (i=0; i < n; i++) {
+                    h5str.s[0] = '\0';
+                    h5str_vlsprintf(&h5str, aid, tid, rdata+i, 0);
+                    jstr = ENVPTR->NewStringUTF(ENVPAR h5str.s);
+                    ENVPTR->SetObjectArrayElement(ENVPAR buf, i, jstr);
+                } /* end for */
+                h5str_free(&h5str);
+
+                dims[0] = (hsize_t)n;
+                sid = H5Screate_simple(1, dims, NULL);
+                H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, sid, H5P_DEFAULT, rdata);
+                H5Sclose(sid);
+                HDfree(rdata);
+            } /* end else */
+        } /* end else */
+    } /* end else */
+
+    return status;
+}
+
+herr_t
+H5AreadVL_str
+    (JNIEnv *env, hid_t aid, hid_t tid, jobjectArray buf)
+{
+    char  **strs;
+    jstring jstr;
+    jint    i;
+    jint    n;
+    hid_t   sid;
+    hsize_t dims[H5S_MAX_RANK];
+    herr_t  status = -1;
+
+    n = ENVPTR->GetArrayLength(ENVPAR buf);
+    strs =(char**)HDcalloc((size_t)n, sizeof(char*));
+
+    if (strs == NULL) {
+        h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5AreadVL_str:  failed to allocate buff for read variable length strings");
+    } /* end if */
+    else {
+        status = H5Aread(aid, tid, strs);
+
+        if (status < 0) {
+            dims[0] = (hsize_t)n;
+            sid = H5Screate_simple(1, dims, NULL);
+            H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, sid, H5P_DEFAULT, strs);
+            H5Sclose(sid);
+            HDfree(strs);
+            h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5AreadVL_str: failed to read variable length strings");
+        } /* end if */
+        else {
+            for (i=0; i < n; i++) {
+                jstr = ENVPTR->NewStringUTF(ENVPAR strs[i]);
+                ENVPTR->SetObjectArrayElement(ENVPAR buf, i, jstr);
+                H5free_memory (strs[i]);
+            } /* end for */
+
+            /*
+            for repeatedly reading a dataset with a large number of strs (e.g., 1,000,000 strings,
+            H5Dvlen_reclaim() may crash on Windows because the Java GC will not be able to collect
+            free space in time. Instead, use "H5free_memory(strs[i])" above to free individual strings
+            after it is done.
+            H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, mem_sid, xfer_plist_id, strs);
+            */
+
+            HDfree(strs);
+        } /* end else */
+    } /* end else */
+
+    return status;
+} /* end H5AreadVL_str */
+
+/*
+ * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
  * Method:    H5Aget_space
  * Signature: (J)J
  */
diff --git a/java/src/jni/h5aImp.h b/java/src/jni/h5aImp.h
index 62769fd..f3758eb 100644
--- a/java/src/jni/h5aImp.h
+++ b/java/src/jni/h5aImp.h
@@ -69,6 +69,24 @@ Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5Aread
 
 /*
  * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
+ * Method:    H5AwriteVL
+ * Signature: (JJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
+ */
+JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
+Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5AwriteVL
+  (JNIEnv *, jclass, jlong, jlong, jobjectArray);
+
+/*
+ * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
+ * Method:    H5AreadVL
+ * Signature: (JJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
+ */
+JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
+Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5AreadVL
+  (JNIEnv *, jclass, jlong, jlong, jobjectArray);
+
+/*
+ * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
  * Method:    H5Aget_space
  * Signature: (J)J
  */
diff --git a/java/src/jni/h5dImp.c b/java/src/jni/h5dImp.c
index 9784055..1d7b823 100644
--- a/java/src/jni/h5dImp.c
+++ b/java/src/jni/h5dImp.c
@@ -993,96 +993,6 @@ Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5Dwrite_1double
 
 /*
  * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
- * Method:    H5DreadVL
- * Signature: (JJJJJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
- */
-JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
-Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5DreadVL
-    (JNIEnv *env, jclass clss, jlong dataset_id, jlong mem_type_id, jlong mem_space_id,
-          jlong file_space_id, jlong xfer_plist_id, jobjectArray buf)
-{
-    herr_t  status = -1;
-    htri_t  isVlenStr=0;
-
-    if (buf == NULL) {
-        h5nullArgument(env, "H5DreadVL:  buf is NULL");
-    } /* end if */
-    else {
-        isVlenStr = H5Tdetect_class((hid_t)mem_type_id, H5T_STRING);
-
-        if (isVlenStr)
-            h5badArgument(env, "H5DreadVL: type is not variable length non-string");
-        else
-            status = H5DreadVL_asstr(env, (hid_t)dataset_id, (hid_t)mem_type_id,
-                                        (hid_t)mem_space_id, (hid_t)file_space_id,
-                                        (hid_t)xfer_plist_id, buf);
-    } /* end else */
-
-    return (jint)status;
-} /* end Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5Dread_1VL */
-
-herr_t
-H5DreadVL_asstr
-    (JNIEnv *env, hid_t did, hid_t tid, hid_t mem_sid, hid_t file_sid, hid_t xfer_plist_id, jobjectArray buf)
-{
-    jint    i;
-    jint    n;
-    jstring jstr;
-    h5str_t h5str;
-    hvl_t  *rdata;
-    size_t  size;
-    size_t  max_len = 0;
-    herr_t  status = -1;
-
-    n = ENVPTR->GetArrayLength(ENVPAR buf);
-    rdata = (hvl_t*)HDcalloc((size_t)n, sizeof(hvl_t));
-    if (rdata == NULL) {
-        h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5DreadVL_notstr:  failed to allocate buff for read");
-    } /* end if */
-    else {
-        status = H5Dread(did, tid, mem_sid, file_sid, xfer_plist_id, rdata);
-
-        if (status < 0) {
-            H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, mem_sid, xfer_plist_id, rdata);
-            HDfree(rdata);
-            h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5DreadVL_notstr: failed to read data");
-        } /* end if */
-        else {
-            max_len = 1;
-            for (i=0; i < n; i++) {
-                if ((rdata + i)->len > max_len)
-                    max_len = (rdata + i)->len;
-            }
-
-            size = H5Tget_size(tid) * max_len;
-            HDmemset(&h5str, 0, sizeof(h5str_t));
-            h5str_new(&h5str, 4 * size);
-
-            if (h5str.s == NULL) {
-                H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, mem_sid, xfer_plist_id, rdata);
-                HDfree(rdata);
-                h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5DreadVL_notstr:  failed to allocate buf");
-            } /* end if */
-            else {
-                for (i=0; i < n; i++) {
-                    h5str.s[0] = '\0';
-                    h5str_sprintf(&h5str, did, tid, rdata+i, 0);
-                    jstr = ENVPTR->NewStringUTF(ENVPAR h5str.s);
-                    ENVPTR->SetObjectArrayElement(ENVPAR buf, i, jstr);
-                } /* end for */
-                h5str_free(&h5str);
-
-                H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, mem_sid, xfer_plist_id, rdata);
-                HDfree(rdata);
-            } /* end else */
-        } /* end else */
-    } /* end else */
-
-    return status;
-}
-
-/*
- * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
  * Method:    H5Dread_string
  * Signature: (JJJJJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
  */
@@ -1218,6 +1128,120 @@ Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5Dwrite_1string
     return (jint)status;
 } /* end Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5Dwrite_1string */
 
+/*
+ * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
+ * Method:    H5DreadVL
+ * Signature: (JJJJJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
+ */
+JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
+Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5DreadVL
+    (JNIEnv *env, jclass clss, jlong dataset_id, jlong mem_type_id, jlong mem_space_id,
+          jlong file_space_id, jlong xfer_plist_id, jobjectArray buf)
+{
+    herr_t  status = -1;
+    htri_t  isStr = 0;
+    htri_t  isVlenStr = 0;
+    htri_t  isComplex = 0;
+
+    if (buf == NULL) {
+        h5nullArgument(env, "H5DreadVL:  buf is NULL");
+    } /* end if */
+    else {
+        isStr = H5Tdetect_class((hid_t)mem_type_id, H5T_STRING);
+        if (H5Tget_class((hid_t)mem_type_id) == H5T_COMPOUND) {
+            unsigned i;
+            int nm = H5Tget_nmembers(mem_type_id);
+            for(i = 0; i <nm; i++) {
+                hid_t nested_tid = H5Tget_member_type((hid_t)mem_type_id, i);
+                isComplex = H5Tdetect_class((hid_t)nested_tid, H5T_COMPOUND) ||
+                            H5Tdetect_class((hid_t)nested_tid, H5T_VLEN);
+                H5Tclose(nested_tid);
+            }
+        }
+        else if (H5Tget_class((hid_t)mem_type_id) == H5T_VLEN) {
+            isVlenStr = 1; /* strings created by H5Tvlen_create(H5T_C_S1) */
+        }
+        if (isStr == 0 || isComplex>0 || isVlenStr) {
+            status = H5DreadVL_asstr(env, (hid_t)dataset_id, (hid_t)mem_type_id,
+                                        (hid_t)mem_space_id, (hid_t)file_space_id,
+                                        (hid_t)xfer_plist_id, buf);
+        }
+        else if (isStr > 0) {
+            status = H5DreadVL_str(env, (hid_t)dataset_id, (hid_t)mem_type_id,
+                                        (hid_t)mem_space_id, (hid_t)file_space_id,
+                                        (hid_t)xfer_plist_id, buf);
+        }
+    } /* end else */
+
+    return (jint)status;
+} /* end Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5Dread_1VL */
+
+herr_t
+H5DreadVL_asstr
+    (JNIEnv *env, hid_t did, hid_t tid, hid_t mem_sid, hid_t file_sid, hid_t xfer_plist_id, jobjectArray buf)
+{
+    jint    i;
+    jint    n;
+    jstring jstr;
+    h5str_t h5str;
+    hvl_t  *rdata;
+    size_t  size;
+    size_t  max_len = 0;
+    herr_t  status = -1;
+
+    /* Get size of string array */
+    n = ENVPTR->GetArrayLength(ENVPAR buf);
+    /* we will need to read n number of hvl_t structures */
+    rdata = (hvl_t*)HDcalloc((size_t)n, sizeof(hvl_t));
+    if (rdata == NULL) {
+        h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5DreadVL_notstr:  failed to allocate buff for read");
+    } /* end if */
+    else {
+        status = H5Dread(did, tid, mem_sid, file_sid, xfer_plist_id, rdata);
+
+        if (status < 0) {
+            H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, mem_sid, xfer_plist_id, rdata);
+            HDfree(rdata);
+            h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5DreadVL_notstr: failed to read data");
+        } /* end if */
+        else {
+            /* calculate the largest size of all the hvl_t structures read */
+            max_len = 1;
+            for (i=0; i < n; i++) {
+                if ((rdata + i)->len > max_len)
+                    max_len = (rdata + i)->len;
+            }
+
+            /* create one malloc to hold largest element */
+            size = H5Tget_size(tid) * max_len;
+            HDmemset(&h5str, 0, sizeof(h5str_t));
+            h5str_new(&h5str, 4 * size);
+
+            if (h5str.s == NULL) {
+                H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, mem_sid, xfer_plist_id, rdata);
+                HDfree(rdata);
+                h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5DreadVL_notstr:  failed to allocate buf");
+            } /* end if */
+            else {
+                H5T_class_t tclass = H5Tget_class(tid);
+                /* convert each element to char string */
+                for (i=0; i < n; i++) {
+                    h5str.s[0] = '\0';
+                    h5str_vlsprintf(&h5str, did, tid, rdata+i, 0);
+                    jstr = ENVPTR->NewStringUTF(ENVPAR h5str.s);
+                    ENVPTR->SetObjectArrayElement(ENVPAR buf, i, jstr);
+                } /* end for */
+                h5str_free(&h5str);
+
+                H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, mem_sid, xfer_plist_id, rdata);
+                HDfree(rdata);
+            } /* end else */
+        } /* end else */
+    } /* end else */
+
+    return status;
+}
+
 /**
  *  Read VLEN data into array of arrays.
  *  Object[] buf contains VL arrays of data points
@@ -1433,7 +1457,7 @@ Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5Dread_1reg_1ref
     h5str_new(&h5str, 1024);
     for (i=0; i<n; i++) {
         h5str.s[0] = '\0';
-        h5str_sprintf(&h5str, did, tid, ref_data[i], 0);
+        h5str_sprintf(&h5str, did, tid, ref_data[i], 0, 0);
         jstr = ENVPTR->NewStringUTF(ENVPAR h5str.s);
 
         ENVPTR->SetObjectArrayElement(ENVPAR buf, i, jstr);
diff --git a/java/src/jni/h5util.c b/java/src/jni/h5util.c
index 9a98202..385bfc7 100644
--- a/java/src/jni/h5util.c
+++ b/java/src/jni/h5util.c
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 extern "C" {
 #endif /* __cplusplus */
 
+#include <jni.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
@@ -152,6 +153,100 @@ h5str_append
     return HDstrcat(str->s, cstr);
 } /* end h5str_append */
 
+/** print value of a vlen data point into string.
+ Return Value:
+ On success, the total number of characters printed is returned.
+ On error, a negative number is returned.
+ */
+size_t
+h5str_vlsprintf
+    (h5str_t *str, hid_t container, hid_t tid, hvl_t *ptr, int expand_data)
+{
+    unsigned char   tmp_uchar = 0;
+    char            tmp_char = 0;
+    unsigned short  tmp_ushort = 0;
+    short           tmp_short = 0;
+    unsigned int    tmp_uint = 0;
+    int             tmp_int = 0;
+    unsigned long   tmp_ulong = 0;
+    long            tmp_long = 0;
+    unsigned long long tmp_ullong = 0;
+    long long       tmp_llong = 0;
+    float           tmp_float = 0.0;
+    double          tmp_double = 0.0;
+    long double     tmp_ldouble = 0.0;
+    static char     fmt_llong[8], fmt_ullong[8];
+
+    hid_t           mtid = -1;
+    size_t          offset;
+    size_t          nll;
+    char           *this_str;
+    size_t          this_strlen;
+    int             n;
+    H5T_class_t     tclass = H5Tget_class(tid);
+    size_t          size = H5Tget_size(tid);
+    H5T_sign_t      nsign = H5Tget_sign(tid);
+    int bdata_print = 0;
+
+    if (!str || !ptr)
+        return 0;
+
+    /* Build default formats for long long types */
+    if (!fmt_llong[0]) {
+        sprintf(fmt_llong, "%%%sd", H5_PRINTF_LL_WIDTH);
+        sprintf(fmt_ullong, "%%%su", H5_PRINTF_LL_WIDTH);
+    } /* end if */
+
+    this_str = NULL;
+    this_strlen = 0;
+
+    switch (tclass) {
+    case H5T_COMPOUND:
+        {
+            unsigned i;
+            n = H5Tget_nmembers(tid);
+            h5str_append(str, " {");
+
+            for (i = 0; i < n; i++) {
+                offset = H5Tget_member_offset(tid, i);
+                mtid = H5Tget_member_type(tid, i);
+                h5str_sprintf(str, container, mtid, ((char *) (ptr->p)) + offset, ptr->len, expand_data);
+                if ((i + 1) < n)
+                    h5str_append(str, ", ");
+                H5Tclose(mtid);
+            }
+            h5str_append(str, "} ");
+        }
+        break;
+    case H5T_ARRAY:
+        {
+            int rank = 0;
+            hsize_t i, dims[H5S_MAX_RANK], total_elmts;
+            h5str_append(str, "[ ");
+
+            mtid = H5Tget_super(tid);
+            size = H5Tget_size(mtid);
+            rank = H5Tget_array_ndims(tid);
+
+            H5Tget_array_dims2(tid, dims);
+
+            total_elmts = 1;
+            for (i = 0; i < rank; i++)
+                total_elmts *= dims[i];
+
+            h5str_sprintf(str, container, mtid, ((char *) (ptr->p)), ptr->len, expand_data);
+            H5Tclose(mtid);
+            h5str_append(str, " ] ");
+        }
+        break;
+    default:
+        this_strlen = h5str_sprintf(str, container, tid, ((char *) (ptr->p)), ptr->len, expand_data);
+        break;
+    } /* end switch */
+
+    return this_strlen;
+} /* end h5str_vlsprintf */
+
 /** print value of a data point into string.
  Return Value:
  On success, the total number of characters printed is returned.
@@ -159,7 +254,7 @@ h5str_append
  */
 size_t
 h5str_sprintf
-    (h5str_t *str, hid_t container, hid_t tid, void *ptr, int expand_data)
+    (h5str_t *str, hid_t container, hid_t tid, void *ptr, int ptr_len, int expand_data)
 {
     unsigned char   tmp_uchar = 0;
     char            tmp_char = 0;
@@ -182,9 +277,8 @@ h5str_sprintf
     char           *this_str;
     size_t          this_strlen;
     int             n;
-    hvl_t          *vlptr;
-    char           *cptr = (char*) ptr;
-    unsigned char  *ucptr = (unsigned char*) ptr;
+    char           *cptr = (char*) (ptr);
+    unsigned char  *ucptr = (unsigned char*) (ptr);
     H5T_class_t     tclass = H5Tget_class(tid);
     size_t          size = H5Tget_size(tid);
     H5T_sign_t      nsign = H5Tget_sign(tid);
@@ -206,20 +300,20 @@ h5str_sprintf
     case H5T_FLOAT:
         if (sizeof(float) == size) {
             /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_FLOAT)) */
-            HDmemcpy(&tmp_float, ptr, sizeof(float));
+            HDmemcpy(&tmp_float, cptr, sizeof(float));
             this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(25);
             sprintf(this_str, "%g", tmp_float);
         }
         else if (sizeof(double) == size) {
             /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE)) */
-            HDmemcpy(&tmp_double, ptr, sizeof(double));
+            HDmemcpy(&tmp_double, cptr, sizeof(double));
             this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(25);
             sprintf(this_str, "%g", tmp_double);
         }
 #if H5_SIZEOF_LONG_DOUBLE !=0
         else if (sizeof(long double) == size) {
             /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_LDOUBLE)) */
-            HDmemcpy(&tmp_ldouble, ptr, sizeof(long double));
+            HDmemcpy(&tmp_ldouble, cptr, sizeof(long double));
             this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(27);
             sprintf(this_str, "%Lf", tmp_ldouble);
         }
@@ -256,13 +350,13 @@ h5str_sprintf
         if (sizeof(char) == size) {
             if(H5T_SGN_NONE == nsign) {
                 /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_UCHAR)) */
-                HDmemcpy(&tmp_uchar, ptr, sizeof(unsigned char));
+                HDmemcpy(&tmp_uchar, cptr, sizeof(unsigned char));
                 this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(7);
                 sprintf(this_str, "%u", tmp_uchar);
             }
             else {
                 /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_SCHAR)) */
-                HDmemcpy(&tmp_char, ptr, sizeof(char));
+                HDmemcpy(&tmp_char, cptr, sizeof(char));
                 this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(7);
                 sprintf(this_str, "%hhd", tmp_char);
             }
@@ -270,13 +364,13 @@ h5str_sprintf
         else if (sizeof(int) == size) {
             if(H5T_SGN_NONE == nsign) {
                 /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_UINT)) */
-                HDmemcpy(&tmp_uint, ptr, sizeof(unsigned int));
+                HDmemcpy(&tmp_uint, cptr, sizeof(unsigned int));
                 this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(14);
                 sprintf(this_str, "%u", tmp_uint);
             }
             else {
                 /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_INT)) */
-                HDmemcpy(&tmp_int, ptr, sizeof(int));
+                HDmemcpy(&tmp_int, cptr, sizeof(int));
                 this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(14);
                 sprintf(this_str, "%d", tmp_int);
             }
@@ -284,13 +378,13 @@ h5str_sprintf
         else if (sizeof(short) == size) {
             if(H5T_SGN_NONE == nsign) {
                 /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_USHORT)) */
-                HDmemcpy(&tmp_ushort, ptr, sizeof(unsigned short));
+                HDmemcpy(&tmp_ushort, cptr, sizeof(unsigned short));
                 this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(9);
                 sprintf(this_str, "%u", tmp_ushort);
             }
             else {
                 /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_SHORT)) */
-                HDmemcpy(&tmp_short, ptr, sizeof(short));
+                HDmemcpy(&tmp_short, cptr, sizeof(short));
                 this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(9);
                 sprintf(this_str, "%d", tmp_short);
             }
@@ -298,13 +392,13 @@ h5str_sprintf
         else if (sizeof(long) == size) {
             if(H5T_SGN_NONE == nsign) {
                 /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_ULONG)) */
-                HDmemcpy(&tmp_ulong, ptr, sizeof(unsigned long));
+                HDmemcpy(&tmp_ulong, cptr, sizeof(unsigned long));
                 this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(23);
                 sprintf(this_str, "%lu", tmp_ulong);
             }
             else {
                 /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_LONG)) */
-                HDmemcpy(&tmp_long, ptr, sizeof(long));
+                HDmemcpy(&tmp_long, cptr, sizeof(long));
                 this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(23);
                 sprintf(this_str, "%ld", tmp_long);
             }
@@ -312,13 +406,13 @@ h5str_sprintf
         else if (sizeof(long long) == size) {
             if(H5T_SGN_NONE == nsign) {
                 /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_ULLONG)) */
-                HDmemcpy(&tmp_ullong, ptr, sizeof(unsigned long long));
+                HDmemcpy(&tmp_ullong, cptr, sizeof(unsigned long long));
                 this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(25);
                 sprintf(this_str, fmt_ullong, tmp_ullong);
             }
             else {
                 /* if (H5Tequal(tid, H5T_NATIVE_LLONG)) */
-                HDmemcpy(&tmp_llong, ptr, sizeof(long long));
+                HDmemcpy(&tmp_llong, cptr, sizeof(long long));
                 this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(25);
                 sprintf(this_str, fmt_llong, tmp_llong);
             }
@@ -333,8 +427,8 @@ h5str_sprintf
         for (i = 0; i < n; i++) {
             offset = H5Tget_member_offset(tid, i);
             mtid = H5Tget_member_type(tid, i);
-            h5str_sprintf(str, container, mtid, cptr + offset, expand_data);
-            if (i < n - 1)
+            h5str_sprintf(str, container, mtid, cptr + offset, ptr_len, expand_data);
+            if ((i + 1) < n)
                 h5str_append(str, ", ");
             H5Tclose(mtid);
         }
@@ -344,7 +438,7 @@ h5str_sprintf
     case H5T_ENUM:
     {
         char enum_name[1024];
-        if (H5Tenum_nameof(tid, ptr, enum_name, sizeof enum_name) >= 0) {
+        if (H5Tenum_nameof(tid, cptr, enum_name, sizeof enum_name) >= 0) {
             h5str_append(str, enum_name);
         }
         else {
@@ -363,7 +457,7 @@ h5str_sprintf
     }
     break;
     case H5T_REFERENCE:
-        if (h5str_is_zero(ptr, size)) {
+        if (h5str_is_zero(cptr, size)) {
             h5str_append(str, "NULL");
         }
         else {
@@ -379,9 +473,9 @@ h5str_sprintf
                 H5S_sel_type region_type;
 
                 /* get name of the dataset the region reference points to using H5Rget_name */
-                region_obj = H5Rdereference2(container, H5P_DEFAULT, H5R_DATASET_REGION, ptr);
+                region_obj = H5Rdereference2(container, H5P_DEFAULT, H5R_DATASET_REGION, cptr);
                 if (region_obj >= 0) {
-                    region = H5Rget_region(container, H5R_DATASET_REGION, ptr);
+                    region = H5Rget_region(container, H5R_DATASET_REGION, cptr);
                     if (region >= 0) {
                         if(expand_data) {
                             region_type = H5Sget_select_type(region);
@@ -393,7 +487,7 @@ h5str_sprintf
                             }
                         }
                         else {
-                            if(H5Rget_name(region_obj, H5R_DATASET_REGION, ptr, (char*)ref_name, 1024) >= 0) {
+                            if(H5Rget_name(region_obj, H5R_DATASET_REGION, cptr, (char*)ref_name, 1024) >= 0) {
                                 h5str_append(str, ref_name);
                             }
 
@@ -424,7 +518,7 @@ h5str_sprintf
                 hid_t       obj;
 
                 this_str = (char*)HDmalloc(64);
-                obj = H5Rdereference2(container, H5P_DEFAULT, H5R_OBJECT, ptr);
+                obj = H5Rdereference2(container, H5P_DEFAULT, H5R_OBJECT, cptr);
                 H5Oget_info2(obj, &oi, H5O_INFO_ALL);
 
                 /* Print object data and close object */
@@ -450,31 +544,30 @@ h5str_sprintf
             total_elmts *= dims[i];
 
         for (i = 0; i < total_elmts; i++) {
-            h5str_sprintf(str, container, mtid, cptr + i * size, expand_data);
-            if (i < total_elmts - 1)
+            h5str_sprintf(str, container, mtid, cptr + i * size, ptr_len, expand_data);
+            if ((i + 1) < total_elmts)
                 h5str_append(str, ", ");
         }
         H5Tclose(mtid);
-        h5str_append(str, "] ");
+        h5str_append(str, " ] ");
     }
     break;
     case H5T_VLEN:
-    {
-        unsigned int i;
-        mtid = H5Tget_super(tid);
-        size = H5Tget_size(mtid);
-
-        vlptr = (hvl_t *) cptr;
-
-        nll = vlptr->len;
-        for (i = 0; i < (int)nll; i++) {
-            h5str_sprintf(str, container, mtid, ((char *) (vlptr->p)) + i * size, expand_data);
-            if (i < (int)nll - 1)
-                h5str_append(str, ", ");
+        {
+            unsigned int i;
+            mtid = H5Tget_super(tid);
+            size = H5Tget_size(mtid);
+
+            h5str_append(str, "{");
+            for (i = 0; i < (int)ptr_len; i++) {
+                h5str_sprintf(str, container, mtid, cptr + i * size, ptr_len, expand_data);
+                if ((i + 1) < (int)ptr_len)
+                    h5str_append(str, ", ");
+            }
+            H5Tclose(mtid);
+            h5str_append(str, "}");
         }
-        H5Tclose(mtid);
-    }
-    break;
+        break;
 
     default:
     {
@@ -563,7 +656,7 @@ h5str_print_region_data_blocks
                                         if(H5Dread(region_id, type_id, mem_space, sid1, H5P_DEFAULT, region_buf) >= 0) {
                                             if(H5Sget_simple_extent_dims(mem_space, total_size, NULL) >= 0) {
                                                 for (numindex = 0; numindex < numelem; numindex++) {
-                                                    h5str_sprintf(str, region_id, type_id, ((char*)region_buf + numindex * type_size), 1);
+                                                    h5str_sprintf(str, region_id, type_id, ((char*)region_buf + numindex * type_size), 0, 1);
 
                                                     if (numindex + 1 < numelem)
                                                         h5str_append(str, ", ");
@@ -763,7 +856,7 @@ h5str_print_region_data_points
                         for (jndx = 0; jndx < npoints; jndx++) {
                             if(H5Sget_simple_extent_dims(mem_space, total_size, NULL) >= 0) {
 
-                                h5str_sprintf(str, region_id, type_id, ((char*)region_buf + jndx * type_size), 1);
+                                h5str_sprintf(str, region_id, type_id, ((char*)region_buf + jndx * type_size), 0, 1);
 
                                 if (jndx + 1 < npoints)
                                     h5str_append(str, ", ");
@@ -1883,7 +1976,7 @@ h5tools_dump_simple_data
 
             /* Render the data element*/
             h5str_new(&buffer, 32 * size);
-            bytes_in = h5str_sprintf(&buffer, container, type, memref, 1);
+            bytes_in = h5str_sprintf(&buffer, container, type, memref, 0, 1);
             if(i > 0) {
                 HDfprintf(stream, ", ");
                 if (line_count >= H5TOOLS_TEXT_BLOCK) {
@@ -1909,116 +2002,6 @@ h5tools_dump_simple_data
 
 /*
  * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
- * Method:    H5AwriteVL
- * Signature: (JJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
- */
-JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
-Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5AwriteVL
-    (JNIEnv *env, jclass clss, jlong attr_id, jlong mem_type_id, jobjectArray buf)
-{
-    herr_t  status = -1;
-    char  **wdata;
-    jsize   size;
-    jint    i;
-
-    size = ENVPTR->GetArrayLength(ENVPAR (jarray) buf);
-
-    wdata = (char**)HDcalloc((size_t)size + 1, sizeof(char*));
-    if (!wdata) {
-        h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5AwriteVL:  cannot allocate buffer");
-    } /* end if */
-    else {
-        HDmemset(wdata, 0, (size_t)size * sizeof(char*));
-        for (i = 0; i < size; ++i) {
-            jstring obj = (jstring) ENVPTR->GetObjectArrayElement(ENVPAR (jobjectArray) buf, i);
-            if (obj != 0) {
-                jsize length = ENVPTR->GetStringUTFLength(ENVPAR obj);
-                const char *utf8 = ENVPTR->GetStringUTFChars(ENVPAR obj, 0);
-
-                if (utf8) {
-                    wdata[i] = (char*)HDmalloc((size_t)length + 1);
-                    if (wdata[i]) {
-                        HDmemset(wdata[i], 0, ((size_t)length + 1));
-                        HDstrncpy(wdata[i], utf8, (size_t)length);
-                    } /* end if */
-                } /* end if */
-
-                ENVPTR->ReleaseStringUTFChars(ENVPAR obj, utf8);
-                ENVPTR->DeleteLocalRef(ENVPAR obj);
-            } /* end if */
-        } /* end for (i = 0; i < size; ++i) */
-
-        status = H5Awrite((hid_t)attr_id, (hid_t)mem_type_id, wdata);
-
-        for (i = 0; i < size; i++) {
-            if(wdata[i]) {
-                HDfree(wdata[i]);
-            } /* end if */
-        } /* end for */
-        HDfree(wdata);
-
-        if (status < 0)
-            h5libraryError(env);
-    } /* end else */
-
-    return (jint)status;
-} /* end Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5AwriteVL */
-
-/*
- * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
- * Method:    H5AreadVL
- * Signature: (JJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
- */
-JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
-Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5AreadVL
-    (JNIEnv *env, jclass clss, jlong attr_id, jlong mem_type_id, jobjectArray buf)
-{
-    herr_t  status = -1;
-    jstring jstr;
-    char  **strs;
-    int     i, n;
-    hid_t   sid;
-    hsize_t dims[H5S_MAX_RANK];
-
-    n = ENVPTR->GetArrayLength(ENVPAR buf);
-
-    strs =(char **)HDmalloc((size_t)n * sizeof(char *));
-    if (strs == NULL) {
-        h5JNIFatalError( env, "H5AreadVL:  failed to allocate buff for read variable length strings");
-    } /* end if */
-    else {
-        status = H5Aread(attr_id, mem_type_id, strs);
-        if (status < 0) {
-            dims[0] = (hsize_t)n;
-            sid = H5Screate_simple(1, dims, NULL);
-            H5Dvlen_reclaim(mem_type_id, sid, H5P_DEFAULT, strs);
-            H5Sclose(sid);
-            HDfree(strs);
-            h5JNIFatalError(env, "H5AreadVL: failed to read variable length strings");
-        } /* end if */
-        else {
-            for (i=0; i<n; i++) {
-                jstr = ENVPTR->NewStringUTF(ENVPAR strs[i]);
-                ENVPTR->SetObjectArrayElement(ENVPAR buf, i, jstr);
-                HDfree (strs[i]);
-            } /* end for */
-
-            /*
-                for repeatedly reading an attribute with a large number of strs (e.g., 1,000,000 strings,
-                H5Dvlen_reclaim() may crash on Windows because the Java GC will not be able to collect
-                free space in time. Instead, use "free(strs[i])" to free individual strings
-                after it is done.
-                H5Dvlen_reclaim(tid, sid, H5P_DEFAULT, strs);
-            */
-
-            HDfree(strs);
-        }  /* end else */
-    }  /* end else */
-    return status;
-} /* end Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5AreadVL */
-
-/*
- * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
  * Method:    H5AreadComplex
  * Signature: (JJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
  */
@@ -2059,7 +2042,7 @@ Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5AreadComplex
             else {
                 for (i = 0; i < n; i++) {
                     h5str.s[0] = '\0';
-                    h5str_sprintf(&h5str, attr_id, mem_type_id, rdata + ((size_t)i * size), 0);
+                    h5str_sprintf(&h5str, attr_id, mem_type_id, rdata + ((size_t)i * size), 0, 0);
                     jstr = ENVPTR->NewStringUTF(ENVPAR h5str.s);
                     ENVPTR->SetObjectArrayElement(ENVPAR buf, i, jstr);
                 } /* end for */
diff --git a/java/src/jni/h5util.h b/java/src/jni/h5util.h
index 434a107..c6b41d2 100644
--- a/java/src/jni/h5util.h
+++ b/java/src/jni/h5util.h
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ extern void    h5str_new (h5str_t *str, size_t len);
 extern void    h5str_free (h5str_t *str);
 extern void    h5str_resize (h5str_t *str, size_t new_len);
 extern char*   h5str_append (h5str_t *str, const char* cstr);
-extern size_t  h5str_sprintf(h5str_t *str, hid_t container, hid_t tid, void *buf, int expand_data);
+extern size_t  h5str_vlsprintf(h5str_t *str, hid_t container, hid_t tid, hvl_t *buf, int expand_data);
+extern size_t  h5str_sprintf(h5str_t *str, hid_t container, hid_t tid, void *buf, int ptrlen, int expand_data);
 extern void    h5str_array_free(char **strs, size_t len);
 extern int     h5str_dump_simple_dset(FILE *stream, hid_t dset, int binary_order);
 extern int     h5str_dump_region_blocks_data(h5str_t *str, hid_t region, hid_t region_obj);
@@ -47,24 +48,6 @@ extern int     h5str_dump_region_points_data(h5str_t *str, hid_t region, hid_t r
 
 /*
  * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
- * Method:    H5AwriteVL
- * Signature: (JJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
- */
-JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
-Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5AwriteVL
-  (JNIEnv *, jclass, jlong, jlong, jobjectArray);
-
-/*
- * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
- * Method:    H5AreadVL
- * Signature: (JJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
- */
-JNIEXPORT jint JNICALL
-Java_hdf_hdf5lib_H5_H5AreadVL
-  (JNIEnv *, jclass, jlong, jlong, jobjectArray);
-
-/*
- * Class:     hdf_hdf5lib_H5
  * Method:    H5AreadComplex
  * Signature: (JJ[Ljava/lang/String;)I
  */