[svn-r23599] Bring revisions 22802 : 23085 from trunk to revise_chunks.

h5committested.

47 files changed, 4716 insertions, 557 deletions

diff --git a/src/CMakeLists.txt b/src/CMakeLists.txt
index 65a575b..3cbfe7e 100644
--- a/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -470,6 +470,7 @@ SET (H5P_SRCS
     ${HDF5_SRC_DIR}/H5Pdcpl.c
     ${HDF5_SRC_DIR}/H5Pdeprec.c
     ${HDF5_SRC_DIR}/H5Pdxpl.c
+    ${HDF5_SRC_DIR}/H5Pencdec.c
     ${HDF5_SRC_DIR}/H5Pfapl.c
     ${HDF5_SRC_DIR}/H5Pfcpl.c
     ${HDF5_SRC_DIR}/H5Pfmpl.c
diff --git a/src/H5AC.c b/src/H5AC.c
index abbacce..18289e7 100644
--- a/src/H5AC.c
+++ b/src/H5AC.c
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ static herr_t H5AC_ext_config_2_int_config(H5AC_cache_config_t * ext_conf_ptr,
                                            H5C_auto_size_ctl_t * int_conf_ptr);
                                            
 #if H5AC_DO_TAGGING_SANITY_CHECKS
-static herr_t H5AC_verify_tag(hid_t dxpl_id, H5AC_class_t * type);
+static herr_t H5AC_verify_tag(hid_t dxpl_id, const H5AC_class_t * type);
 #endif /* H5AC_DO_TAGGING_SANITY_CHECKS */
 
 #ifdef H5_HAVE_PARALLEL
@@ -286,11 +286,13 @@ H5AC_init_interface(void)
 
     /* Insert 'block before metadata write' property */
     block_before_meta_write=1;
-    if(H5P_insert(xfer_plist,H5AC_BLOCK_BEFORE_META_WRITE_NAME,H5AC_BLOCK_BEFORE_META_WRITE_SIZE,&block_before_meta_write,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
+    if(H5P_insert(xfer_plist,H5AC_BLOCK_BEFORE_META_WRITE_NAME,H5AC_BLOCK_BEFORE_META_WRITE_SIZE,&block_before_meta_write,
+                  NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "can't insert metadata cache dxpl property")
 
     /* Insert 'library internal' property */
-    if(H5P_insert(xfer_plist,H5AC_LIBRARY_INTERNAL_NAME,H5AC_LIBRARY_INTERNAL_SIZE,&library_internal,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
+    if(H5P_insert(xfer_plist,H5AC_LIBRARY_INTERNAL_NAME,H5AC_LIBRARY_INTERNAL_SIZE,&library_internal,
+                  NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "can't insert metadata cache dxpl property")
 
     /* Set the transfer mode */
@@ -308,11 +310,13 @@ H5AC_init_interface(void)
 
     /* Insert 'block before metadata write' property */
     block_before_meta_write=0;
-    if(H5P_insert(xfer_plist,H5AC_BLOCK_BEFORE_META_WRITE_NAME,H5AC_BLOCK_BEFORE_META_WRITE_SIZE,&block_before_meta_write,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
+    if(H5P_insert(xfer_plist,H5AC_BLOCK_BEFORE_META_WRITE_NAME,H5AC_BLOCK_BEFORE_META_WRITE_SIZE,&block_before_meta_write,
+                  NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "can't insert metadata cache dxpl property")
 
     /* Insert 'library internal' property */
-    if(H5P_insert(xfer_plist,H5AC_LIBRARY_INTERNAL_NAME,H5AC_LIBRARY_INTERNAL_SIZE,&library_internal,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
+    if(H5P_insert(xfer_plist,H5AC_LIBRARY_INTERNAL_NAME,H5AC_LIBRARY_INTERNAL_SIZE,&library_internal,
+                  NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "can't insert metadata cache dxpl property")
 
     /* Set the transfer mode */
@@ -330,11 +334,13 @@ H5AC_init_interface(void)
 
     /* Insert 'block before metadata write' property */
     block_before_meta_write=0;
-    if(H5P_insert(xfer_plist,H5AC_BLOCK_BEFORE_META_WRITE_NAME,H5AC_BLOCK_BEFORE_META_WRITE_SIZE,&block_before_meta_write,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
+    if(H5P_insert(xfer_plist,H5AC_BLOCK_BEFORE_META_WRITE_NAME,H5AC_BLOCK_BEFORE_META_WRITE_SIZE,&block_before_meta_write,
+                  NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "can't insert metadata cache dxpl property")
 
     /* Insert 'library internal' property */
-    if(H5P_insert(xfer_plist,H5AC_LIBRARY_INTERNAL_NAME,H5AC_LIBRARY_INTERNAL_SIZE,&library_internal,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
+    if(H5P_insert(xfer_plist,H5AC_LIBRARY_INTERNAL_NAME,H5AC_LIBRARY_INTERNAL_SIZE,&library_internal,
+                  NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "can't insert metadata cache dxpl property")
 
     /* Set the transfer mode */
@@ -5408,7 +5414,7 @@ done:
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static herr_t
-H5AC_verify_tag(hid_t dxpl_id, H5AC_class_t * type)
+H5AC_verify_tag(hid_t dxpl_id, const H5AC_class_t * type)
 {
     H5C_tag_t tag;
     H5P_genplist_t * dxpl;
diff --git a/src/H5ACprivate.h b/src/H5ACprivate.h
index 6bf7bd7..16a28f9 100644
--- a/src/H5ACprivate.h
+++ b/src/H5ACprivate.h
@@ -241,27 +241,27 @@ H5_DLLVAR hid_t H5AC_ind_dxpl_id;
   /* hbool_t     evictions_enabled      = */ TRUE,                            \
   /* hbool_t     set_initial_size       = */ TRUE,                            \
   /* size_t      initial_size           = */ ( 2 * 1024 * 1024),              \
-  /* double      min_clean_fraction     = */ 0.3,                             \
+  /* double      min_clean_fraction     = */ 0.3f,                            \
   /* size_t      max_size               = */ (32 * 1024 * 1024),              \
   /* size_t      min_size               = */ (1 * 1024 * 1024),               \
   /* long int    epoch_length           = */ 50000,                           \
   /* enum H5C_cache_incr_mode incr_mode = */ H5C_incr__threshold,             \
-  /* double      lower_hr_threshold     = */ 0.9,                             \
-  /* double      increment              = */ 2.0,                             \
+  /* double      lower_hr_threshold     = */ 0.9f,                            \
+  /* double      increment              = */ 2.0f,                            \
   /* hbool_t     apply_max_increment    = */ TRUE,                            \
   /* size_t      max_increment          = */ (4 * 1024 * 1024),               \
   /* enum H5C_cache_flash_incr_mode       */                                  \
   /*                    flash_incr_mode = */ H5C_flash_incr__add_space,       \
-  /* double      flash_multiple         = */ 1.0,                             \
-  /* double      flash_threshold        = */ 0.25,                            \
+  /* double      flash_multiple         = */ 1.0f,                            \
+  /* double      flash_threshold        = */ 0.25f,                           \
   /* enum H5C_cache_decr_mode decr_mode = */ H5C_decr__age_out_with_threshold, \
-  /* double      upper_hr_threshold     = */ 0.999,                           \
-  /* double      decrement              = */ 0.9,                             \
+  /* double      upper_hr_threshold     = */ 0.999f,                          \
+  /* double      decrement              = */ 0.9f,                            \
   /* hbool_t     apply_max_decrement    = */ TRUE,                            \
   /* size_t      max_decrement          = */ (1 * 1024 * 1024),               \
   /* int         epochs_before_eviction = */ 3,                               \
   /* hbool_t     apply_empty_reserve    = */ TRUE,                            \
-  /* double      empty_reserve          = */ 0.1,                             \
+  /* double      empty_reserve          = */ 0.1f,                            \
   /* int	 dirty_bytes_threshold  = */ (256 * 1024),                    \
   /* int	metadata_write_strategy = */                                  \
 				       H5AC__DEFAULT_METADATA_WRITE_STRATEGY  \
@@ -277,27 +277,27 @@ H5_DLLVAR hid_t H5AC_ind_dxpl_id;
   /* hbool_t     evictions_enabled      = */ TRUE,                            \
   /* hbool_t     set_initial_size       = */ TRUE,                            \
   /* size_t      initial_size           = */ ( 2 * 1024 * 1024),              \
-  /* double      min_clean_fraction     = */ 0.01,                            \
+  /* double      min_clean_fraction     = */ 0.01f,                           \
   /* size_t      max_size               = */ (32 * 1024 * 1024),              \
   /* size_t      min_size               = */ ( 1 * 1024 * 1024),              \
   /* long int    epoch_length           = */ 50000,                           \
   /* enum H5C_cache_incr_mode incr_mode = */ H5C_incr__threshold,             \
-  /* double      lower_hr_threshold     = */ 0.9,                             \
-  /* double      increment              = */ 2.0,                             \
+  /* double      lower_hr_threshold     = */ 0.9f,                            \
+  /* double      increment              = */ 2.0f,                            \
   /* hbool_t     apply_max_increment    = */ TRUE,                            \
   /* size_t      max_increment          = */ (4 * 1024 * 1024),               \
   /* enum H5C_cache_flash_incr_mode       */                                  \
   /*                    flash_incr_mode = */ H5C_flash_incr__add_space,       \
-  /* double      flash_multiple         = */ 1.4,                             \
-  /* double      flash_threshold        = */ 0.25,                            \
+  /* double      flash_multiple         = */ 1.4f,                            \
+  /* double      flash_threshold        = */ 0.25f,                           \
   /* enum H5C_cache_decr_mode decr_mode = */ H5C_decr__age_out_with_threshold,\
-  /* double      upper_hr_threshold     = */ 0.999,                           \
-  /* double      decrement              = */ 0.9,                             \
+  /* double      upper_hr_threshold     = */ 0.999f,                          \
+  /* double      decrement              = */ 0.9f,                            \
   /* hbool_t     apply_max_decrement    = */ TRUE,                            \
   /* size_t      max_decrement          = */ (1 * 1024 * 1024),               \
   /* int         epochs_before_eviction = */ 3,                               \
   /* hbool_t     apply_empty_reserve    = */ TRUE,                            \
-  /* double      empty_reserve          = */ 0.1,                             \
+  /* double      empty_reserve          = */ 0.1f,                            \
   /* int	 dirty_bytes_threshold  = */ (256 * 1024),                    \
   /* int	metadata_write_strategy = */                                  \
 				       H5AC__DEFAULT_METADATA_WRITE_STRATEGY  \
diff --git a/src/H5Dmpio.c b/src/H5Dmpio.c
index 1bfe10a..dacce43 100644
--- a/src/H5Dmpio.c
+++ b/src/H5Dmpio.c
@@ -105,10 +105,9 @@ static herr_t H5D__chunk_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info,
 static herr_t H5D__multi_chunk_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info,
     const H5D_type_info_t *type_info, H5D_chunk_map_t *fm,
     H5P_genplist_t *dx_plist);
-static herr_t H5D__multi_chunk_collective_io_no_opt(H5D_io_info_t *io_info,
-    const H5D_type_info_t *type_info, H5D_chunk_map_t *fm, H5P_genplist_t *dx_plist);
 static herr_t H5D__link_chunk_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info,
-    const H5D_type_info_t *type_info, H5D_chunk_map_t *fm, int sum_chunk);
+    const H5D_type_info_t *type_info, H5D_chunk_map_t *fm, int sum_chunk,
+    H5P_genplist_t *dx_plist);
 static herr_t H5D__inter_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info,
     const H5D_type_info_t *type_info, const H5S_t *file_space,
     const H5S_t *mem_space);
@@ -586,6 +585,12 @@ done:
  * Programmer:  Muqun Yang
  *              Monday, Feb. 13th, 2006
  *
+ * Modification:
+ *  - Refctore to remove multi-chunk-without-opimization feature and update for
+ *    multi-chunk-io accordingly
+ * Programmer: Jonathan Kim
+ * Date: 2012-10-10
+ *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static herr_t
@@ -594,8 +599,6 @@ H5D__chunk_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info, const H5D_type_info_t *type_inf
 {
     H5P_genplist_t *dx_plist;           /* Pointer to DXPL */
     H5FD_mpio_chunk_opt_t chunk_opt_mode;
-    H5D_mpio_actual_chunk_opt_mode_t actual_chunk_opt_mode;
-    H5D_mpio_actual_io_mode_t actual_io_mode;
     int         io_option = H5D_MULTI_CHUNK_IO_MORE_OPT;
     int         sum_chunk = -1;
 #ifdef H5_HAVE_INSTRUMENTED_LIBRARY
@@ -617,10 +620,12 @@ H5D__chunk_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info, const H5D_type_info_t *type_inf
 
     /* Check the optional property list on what to do with collective chunk IO. */
     chunk_opt_mode = (H5FD_mpio_chunk_opt_t)H5P_peek_unsigned(dx_plist, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_NAME);
-    if(chunk_opt_mode == H5FD_MPIO_CHUNK_ONE_IO)
+    if(H5FD_MPIO_CHUNK_ONE_IO == chunk_opt_mode)
         io_option = H5D_ONE_LINK_CHUNK_IO;      /*no opt*/
-    else if(chunk_opt_mode == H5FD_MPIO_CHUNK_MULTI_IO)
-        io_option = H5D_MULTI_CHUNK_IO;         /*no opt */
+    /* direct request to multi-chunk-io */
+    else if(H5FD_MPIO_CHUNK_MULTI_IO == chunk_opt_mode)
+        io_option = H5D_MULTI_CHUNK_IO;         
+    /* via default path. branch by num threshold */
     else {
         unsigned one_link_chunk_io_threshold;   /* Threshhold to use single collective I/O for all chunks */
         int mpi_size;                   /* Number of processes in MPI job */
@@ -649,7 +654,7 @@ H5D__chunk_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info, const H5D_type_info_t *type_inf
     /*** Test collective chunk user-input optimization APIs. ***/
     check_prop = H5Pexist(io_info->dxpl_id, H5D_XFER_COLL_CHUNK_LINK_HARD_NAME);
     if(check_prop > 0) {
-        if(io_option == H5D_ONE_LINK_CHUNK_IO) {
+        if(H5D_ONE_LINK_CHUNK_IO == io_option) {
             new_value = 0;
             if(H5Pset(io_info->dxpl_id, H5D_XFER_COLL_CHUNK_LINK_HARD_NAME, &new_value) < 0)
                 HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_IO, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "unable to set property value")
@@ -657,7 +662,7 @@ H5D__chunk_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info, const H5D_type_info_t *type_inf
     } /* end if */
     check_prop = H5Pexist(io_info->dxpl_id, H5D_XFER_COLL_CHUNK_MULTI_HARD_NAME);
     if(check_prop > 0) {
-        if(io_option == H5D_MULTI_CHUNK_IO) {
+        if(H5D_MULTI_CHUNK_IO == io_option) {
             new_value = 0;
             if(H5Pset(io_info->dxpl_id, H5D_XFER_COLL_CHUNK_MULTI_HARD_NAME, &new_value) < 0)
                 HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_IO, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "unable to set property value")
@@ -665,7 +670,7 @@ H5D__chunk_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info, const H5D_type_info_t *type_inf
     } /* end if */
     check_prop = H5Pexist(io_info->dxpl_id, H5D_XFER_COLL_CHUNK_LINK_NUM_TRUE_NAME);
     if(check_prop > 0) {
-        if(io_option == H5D_ONE_LINK_CHUNK_IO_MORE_OPT) {
+        if(H5D_ONE_LINK_CHUNK_IO_MORE_OPT == io_option) {
             new_value = 0;
             if(H5Pset(io_info->dxpl_id, H5D_XFER_COLL_CHUNK_LINK_NUM_TRUE_NAME, &new_value) < 0)
                 HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_IO, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "unable to set property value")
@@ -682,39 +687,16 @@ H5D__chunk_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info, const H5D_type_info_t *type_inf
 #endif
 
     /* step 2:  Go ahead to do IO.*/
-    if(io_option == H5D_ONE_LINK_CHUNK_IO || io_option == H5D_ONE_LINK_CHUNK_IO_MORE_OPT) {
-        /* set the actual io mode properties to the correct values for link chunk io.
-         * Link chunk I/O does not break to independent, so we can set the actual_io mode
-         * as well as the optimisation mode. */
-        actual_chunk_opt_mode = H5D_MPIO_LINK_CHUNK;
-        actual_io_mode = H5D_MPIO_CHUNK_COLLECTIVE;
-
-        /* Set the actual chunk opt mode property. */
-        if(H5P_set(dx_plist, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_NAME, &actual_chunk_opt_mode) < 0)
-            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "couldn't set actual chunk opt mode property")
-
-        if(H5D__link_chunk_collective_io(io_info, type_info, fm, sum_chunk) < 0)
+    if(H5D_ONE_LINK_CHUNK_IO == io_option || H5D_ONE_LINK_CHUNK_IO_MORE_OPT == io_option) {
+        if(H5D__link_chunk_collective_io(io_info, type_info, fm, sum_chunk, dx_plist) < 0)
             HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_IO, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "couldn't finish linked chunk MPI-IO")
-
-        /* Set the actual io mode property. */
-        if(H5P_set(dx_plist, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_IO_MODE_NAME, &actual_io_mode) < 0)
-            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "couldn't set actual io mode property")
     } /* end if */
-    else
-    if(io_option == H5D_MULTI_CHUNK_IO) {
-        /* Set the actual chunk opt mode property */
-        actual_chunk_opt_mode = H5D_MPIO_MULTI_CHUNK_NO_OPT;
-        if(H5P_set(dx_plist, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_NAME, &actual_chunk_opt_mode) < 0)
-            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "couldn't set actual chunk opt mode property")
-
-        if(H5D__multi_chunk_collective_io_no_opt(io_info, type_info, fm, dx_plist) < 0)
-            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_IO, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "couldn't finish multiple chunk MPI-IO")
+    /* direct request to multi-chunk-io */
+    else if(H5D_MULTI_CHUNK_IO == io_option) {
+        if(H5D__multi_chunk_collective_io(io_info, type_info, fm, dx_plist) < 0)
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_IO, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "couldn't finish optimized multiple chunk MPI-IO")
     } /* end if */
-    else { /*multiple chunk IOs with opt */
-        actual_chunk_opt_mode = H5D_MPIO_MULTI_CHUNK;
-        if(H5P_set(dx_plist, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_NAME, &actual_chunk_opt_mode) < 0)
-            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "couldn't set actual chunk opt mode property")
-
+    else { /* multiple chunk IO via threshold */
         if(H5D__multi_chunk_collective_io(io_info, type_info, fm, dx_plist) < 0)
             HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_IO, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "couldn't finish optimized multiple chunk MPI-IO")
     } /* end else */
@@ -801,11 +783,16 @@ done:
  * Programmer:  Muqun Yang
  *              Monday, Feb. 13th, 2006
  *
+ * Modification:
+ *  - Set H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_NAME and H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_IO_MODE_NAME
+ *    dxpl in this.
+ * Programmer: Jonathan Kim
+ * Date: 2012-10-10
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static herr_t
 H5D__link_chunk_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info, const H5D_type_info_t *type_info,
-    H5D_chunk_map_t *fm, int sum_chunk)
+    H5D_chunk_map_t *fm, int sum_chunk, H5P_genplist_t *dx_plist)
 {
     H5D_chunk_addr_info_t *chunk_addr_info_array = NULL;
     MPI_Datatype chunk_final_mtype;         /* Final memory MPI datatype for all chunks with seletion */
@@ -824,10 +811,21 @@ H5D__link_chunk_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info, const H5D_type_info_t *typ
     int                *chunk_mpi_file_counts = NULL;   /* Count of MPI file datatype for each chunk */
     int                *chunk_mpi_mem_counts = NULL;    /* Count of MPI memory datatype for each chunk */
     int                 mpi_code;           /* MPI return code */
+    H5D_mpio_actual_chunk_opt_mode_t actual_chunk_opt_mode = H5D_MPIO_LINK_CHUNK;
+    H5D_mpio_actual_io_mode_t actual_io_mode = H5D_MPIO_CHUNK_COLLECTIVE;
     herr_t              ret_value = SUCCEED;
 
     FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
 
+    /* Set the actual-chunk-opt-mode property. */
+    if(H5P_set(dx_plist, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_NAME, &actual_chunk_opt_mode) < 0)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "couldn't set actual chunk opt mode property")
+
+    /* Set the actual-io-mode property.
+     * Link chunk I/O does not break to independent, so can set right away */
+    if(H5P_set(dx_plist, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_IO_MODE_NAME, &actual_io_mode) < 0)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "couldn't set actual io mode property")
+
     /* Get the sum # of chunks, if not already available */
     if(sum_chunk < 0) {
         if(H5D__mpio_get_sum_chunk(io_info, fm, &sum_chunk) < 0)
@@ -1075,6 +1073,12 @@ if(H5DEBUG(D))
  * Programmer:  Muqun Yang
  *              Monday, Feb. 13th, 2006
  *
+ * Modification:
+ *  - Set H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_NAME dxpl in this to go along with
+ *    setting H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_IO_MODE_NAME dxpl at the bottom.
+ * Programmer: Jonathan Kim
+ * Date: 2012-10-10
+ *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static herr_t
@@ -1096,11 +1100,16 @@ H5D__multi_chunk_collective_io(H5D_io_info_t *io_info, const H5D_type_info_t *ty
     int mpi_rank;
 #endif
     size_t              u;                    /* Local index variable */
+    H5D_mpio_actual_chunk_opt_mode_t actual_chunk_opt_mode = H5D_MPIO_MULTI_CHUNK;  /* actual chunk optimization mode */
     H5D_mpio_actual_io_mode_t actual_io_mode = H5D_MPIO_NO_COLLECTIVE; /* Local variable for tracking the I/O mode used. */
     herr_t              ret_value = SUCCEED;
 
     FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
 
+    /* Set the actual chunk opt mode property */
+    if(H5P_set(dx_plist, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_NAME, &actual_chunk_opt_mode) < 0)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "couldn't set actual chunk opt mode property")
+
 #ifdef H5Dmpio_DEBUG
     mpi_rank = H5F_mpi_get_rank(io_info->dset->oloc.file);
 #endif
@@ -1264,212 +1273,6 @@ done:
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * Function:    H5D__multi_chunk_collective_io_no_opt
- *
- * Purpose:     To do collective IO without any optimization per chunk base
- *              The internal independent IO inside HDF5 cannot handle
- *              non-contiguous(or with holes) storage efficiently.
- *              Under this case, the one independent IO call may consist of
- *              many small disk IOs. So we may use independent IO with derived datatype
- *              to replace the independent IO when we find this chunk is not good to
- *              do collective IO. However, according to our performance study,
- *              this approach may not overcome the overhead caused by MPI gather/scatter.
- *              So we decide to leave the original collective IO per chunk approach as
- *              an option for users. NO MPI gather/scatter calls are used.
- *              HDF5 will try to collective IO if possible.
- *              If users choose to use
- *              H5Pset_dxpl_mpio_chunk_opt(dxpl_id,H5FD_MPIO_OPT_MULTI_IO),
- *              this function will be called.
- *              The HDF5 library won't do any IO management but leave it to MPI-IO to figure
- *              out.
- *
- * Return:      Non-negative on success/Negative on failure
- *
- * Programmer:  Muqun Yang
- *              Monday, Feb. 13th, 2006
- *
- *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- */
-static herr_t
-H5D__multi_chunk_collective_io_no_opt(H5D_io_info_t *io_info,
-    const H5D_type_info_t *type_info, H5D_chunk_map_t *fm, H5P_genplist_t *dx_plist)
-{
-    H5SL_node_t    *chunk_node;           /* Current node in chunk skip list */
-    H5D_io_info_t   ctg_io_info;          /* Contiguous I/O info object */
-    H5D_storage_t   ctg_store;            /* Chunk storage information as contiguous dataset */
-    H5D_io_info_t   cpt_io_info;          /* Compact I/O info object */
-    H5D_storage_t   cpt_store;            /* Chunk storage information as compact dataset */
-    hbool_t         cpt_dirty;            /* Temporary placeholder for compact storage "dirty" flag */
-    int             min_chunk = -1;       /* Minimum # of chunks all processes will operate on */
-    int             count_chunk;          /* How many chunks have we operated on? */
-    H5D_storage_t   store;                /* union of EFL and chunk pointer in file space */
-    H5D_mpio_actual_io_mode_t actual_io_mode = H5D_MPIO_NO_COLLECTIVE; /*Local variable for tracking the I/O modes used. */
-    herr_t          ret_value = SUCCEED;
-
-    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
-
-#ifdef H5D_DEBUG
-if(H5DEBUG(D)) {
-    int mpi_rank;
-
-    mpi_rank = H5F_mpi_get_rank(io_info->dset->oloc.file);
-    HDfprintf(H5DEBUG(D), "Rank %d: coming to multi_chunk_collective_io_no_opt\n", mpi_rank);
-}
-#endif
-
-    /* Set up contiguous I/O info object */
-    HDmemcpy(&ctg_io_info, io_info, sizeof(ctg_io_info));
-    ctg_io_info.store = &ctg_store;
-    ctg_io_info.layout_ops = *H5D_LOPS_CONTIG;
-
-    /* Initialize temporary contiguous storage info */
-    ctg_store.contig.dset_size = (hsize_t)io_info->dset->shared->layout.u.chunk.size;
-
-    /* Set up compact I/O info object */
-    HDmemcpy(&cpt_io_info, io_info, sizeof(cpt_io_info));
-    cpt_io_info.store = &cpt_store;
-    cpt_io_info.layout_ops = *H5D_LOPS_COMPACT;
-
-    /* Initialize temporary compact storage info */
-    cpt_store.compact.dirty = &cpt_dirty;
-
-    /* Set dataset storage for I/O info */
-    io_info->store = &store;
-
-    /* Get the min. # of chunks */
-    if(H5D__mpio_get_min_chunk(io_info, fm, &min_chunk) < 0)
-        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATASET, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "can't get minimum number of chunk")
-    HDassert(min_chunk >= 0);
-
-    /* Get first node in chunk skip list */
-    chunk_node = H5SL_first(fm->sel_chunks);
-    count_chunk = 0;
-
-     /* Iterate through chunks to be operated on */
-    while(chunk_node) {
-        H5D_chunk_info_t *chunk_info;   /* chunk information */
-        H5D_chunk_ud_t udata;           /* B-tree pass-through */
-        hbool_t make_ind, make_coll;    /* Flags to indicate that the MPI mode should change */
-
-        /* Get the actual chunk information from the skip list node */
-        chunk_info = H5SL_item(chunk_node);
-
-        /* Pass in chunk's coordinates in a union. */
-        store.chunk.offset = chunk_info->coords;
-        store.chunk.index = chunk_info->index;
-
-        /* Reset flags for changing parallel I/O mode */
-        make_ind = make_coll = FALSE;
-
-        count_chunk++;
-
-        /* If the number of chunk is greater than minimum number of chunk,
-         *      Do independent read.
-         */
-        if(count_chunk > min_chunk)
-            /* Switch to independent I/O (permanently) */
-            make_ind = TRUE;
-
-        /* Retrieve the chunk's address */
-        if(H5D__chunk_lookup(io_info->dset, io_info->dxpl_id, chunk_info->coords,
-                chunk_info->index, &udata) < 0)
-            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_STORAGE, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "couldn't get chunk info from skipped list")
-
-        /* Independent I/O */
-        if(make_ind) {
-            void *chunk;                    /* Pointer to the data chunk in cache */
-            H5D_io_info_t *chk_io_info;     /* Pointer to I/O info object for this chunk */
-            uint32_t accessed_bytes = 0;    /* Total accessed size in a chunk */
-            htri_t cacheable;               /* Whether the chunk is cacheable */
-
-            /* Switch to independent I/O */
-            if(H5D__ioinfo_xfer_mode(io_info, dx_plist, H5FD_MPIO_INDEPENDENT) < 0)
-                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATASET, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "can't switch to independent I/O")
-
-            /* Update the local variable tracking the dxpl's actual io mode */
-            actual_io_mode = actual_io_mode | H5D_MPIO_CHUNK_INDEPENDENT;
-
-            /* Load the chunk into cache and lock it. */
-            if((cacheable = H5D__chunk_cacheable(io_info, udata.addr,
-                    io_info->op_type == H5D_IO_OP_WRITE)) < 0)
-                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATASET, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "can't tell if chunk is cacheable")
-            if(cacheable) {
-                hbool_t entire_chunk = TRUE;         /* Whether whole chunk is selected */
-
-                /* Compute # of bytes accessed in chunk */
-                accessed_bytes = chunk_info->chunk_points * type_info->src_type_size;
-
-                /* Determine if we will access all the data in the chunk */
-                if(((io_info->op_type == H5D_IO_OP_WRITE) && (accessed_bytes != ctg_store.contig.dset_size))
-                        || (io_info->op_type != H5D_IO_OP_WRITE))
-                    entire_chunk = FALSE;
-
-                /* Lock the chunk into the cache */
-                if(NULL == (chunk = H5D__chunk_lock(io_info, &udata, entire_chunk, FALSE)))
-                    HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_IO, H5E_READERROR, FAIL, "unable to read raw data chunk")
-
-                /* Set up the storage buffer information for this chunk */
-                cpt_store.compact.buf = chunk;
-
-                /* Point I/O info at contiguous I/O info for this chunk */
-                chk_io_info = &cpt_io_info;
-            } /* end if */
-            else {
-                /* Set up the storage address information for this chunk */
-                ctg_store.contig.dset_addr = udata.addr;
-
-                /* No chunk cached */
-                chunk = NULL;
-
-                /* Point I/O info at temporary I/O info for this chunk */
-                chk_io_info = &ctg_io_info;
-            } /* end else */
-
-            if(io_info->op_type == H5D_IO_OP_WRITE) {
-                if((io_info->io_ops.single_write)(chk_io_info, type_info,
-                        (hsize_t)chunk_info->chunk_points, chunk_info->fspace, chunk_info->mspace) < 0)
-                    HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATASET, H5E_WRITEERROR, FAIL, "optimized write failed")
-            } /* end if */
-            else {
-                if((io_info->io_ops.single_read)(chk_io_info, type_info,
-                        (hsize_t)chunk_info->chunk_points, chunk_info->fspace, chunk_info->mspace) < 0)
-                   HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATASET, H5E_READERROR, FAIL, "optimized read failed")
-            } /* end ese */
-
-            /* Release the cache lock on the chunk. */
-            if(chunk)
-                if(H5D__chunk_unlock(io_info, &udata, (io_info->op_type == H5D_IO_OP_WRITE), chunk, accessed_bytes) < 0)
-                    HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_IO, H5E_READERROR, FAIL, "unable to unlock raw data chunk")
-        } /* end if */
-        else { /*collective I/O */
-            /* Set up the storage address information for this chunk */
-            ctg_store.contig.dset_addr = udata.addr;
-
-            /* Update the local variable tracking the dxpl's actual io Mode. */
-            actual_io_mode = actual_io_mode | H5D_MPIO_CHUNK_COLLECTIVE;
-
-            if(H5D__inter_collective_io(&ctg_io_info, type_info, chunk_info->fspace, chunk_info->mspace) < 0)
-                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_IO, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL,"couldn't finish shared collective MPI-IO")
-        } /* end else */
-
-        if(make_coll)
-            if(H5D__ioinfo_xfer_mode(io_info, dx_plist, H5FD_MPIO_COLLECTIVE) < 0)
-                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATASET, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "can't switch to independent I/O")
-
-        /* Get the next chunk node in the skip list */
-        chunk_node = H5SL_next(chunk_node);
-    } /* end while */
-
-    /* Write the local value of actual io mode to the DXPL. */
-    if(H5P_set(dx_plist, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_IO_MODE_NAME, &actual_io_mode) < 0)
-        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "couldn't set actual io mode property")
-
-done:
-    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
-} /* end H5D__multi_chunk_collective_io_no_opt */
-
-
-/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:    H5D__inter_collective_io
  *
  * Purpose:     Routine for the shared part of collective IO between multiple chunk
@@ -1794,7 +1597,6 @@ H5D__obtain_mpio_mode(H5D_io_info_t* io_info, H5D_chunk_map_t *fm,
 {
     int               total_chunks;
     unsigned          percent_nproc_per_chunk, threshold_nproc_per_chunk;
-    H5FD_mpio_chunk_opt_t chunk_opt_mode;
     uint8_t*          io_mode_info = NULL;
     uint8_t*          recv_io_mode_info = NULL;
     uint8_t*          mergebuf = NULL;
@@ -1827,8 +1629,8 @@ H5D__obtain_mpio_mode(H5D_io_info_t* io_info, H5D_chunk_map_t *fm,
     /* Setup parameters */
     H5_ASSIGN_OVERFLOW(total_chunks, fm->layout->u.chunk.nchunks, hsize_t, int);
     percent_nproc_per_chunk = H5P_peek_unsigned(dx_plist, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_NAME);
-    chunk_opt_mode = (H5FD_mpio_chunk_opt_t)H5P_peek_unsigned(dx_plist, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_NAME);
-    if((chunk_opt_mode == H5FD_MPIO_CHUNK_MULTI_IO) || (percent_nproc_per_chunk == 0)) {
+    /* if ratio is 0, perform collective io */
+    if(0 == percent_nproc_per_chunk) {
         if(H5D__chunk_addrmap(io_info, chunk_addr) < 0)
            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATASET, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "can't get chunk address");
         for(ic = 0; ic < total_chunks; ic++)
diff --git a/src/H5Dprivate.h b/src/H5Dprivate.h
index c933ab1..ae55c44 100644
--- a/src/H5Dprivate.h
+++ b/src/H5Dprivate.h
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@
 #define H5D_XFER_VFL_ID_NAME            "vfl_id"        /* File driver ID */
 #define H5D_XFER_VFL_INFO_NAME          "vfl_info"      /* File driver info */
 #define H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_NAME "vec_size"      /* Hyperslab vector size */
-#ifdef H5_HAVE_PARALLEL
 #define H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_NAME      "io_xfer_mode"  /* I/O transfer mode */
 #define H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_NAME "mpio_collective_opt" /* Optimization of MPI-IO transfer mode */
 #define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_NAME "mpio_chunk_opt_hard"
@@ -76,7 +75,6 @@
 #define H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_IO_MODE_NAME    "actual_io_mode"
 #define H5D_MPIO_LOCAL_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_NAME "local_no_collective_cause"  /* cause of broken collective I/O in each process */
 #define H5D_MPIO_GLOBAL_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_NAME "global_no_collective_cause"  /* cause of broken collective I/O in all processes */
-#endif /* H5_HAVE_PARALLEL */
 #define H5D_XFER_EDC_NAME               "err_detect"    /* EDC */
 #define H5D_XFER_FILTER_CB_NAME         "filter_cb"     /* Filter callback function */
 #define H5D_XFER_CONV_CB_NAME           "type_conv_cb"  /* Type conversion callback function */
@@ -89,8 +87,6 @@
 #define H5D_XFER_COLL_CHUNK_LINK_NUM_FALSE_NAME "coll_chunk_link_false"
 #define H5D_XFER_COLL_CHUNK_MULTI_RATIO_COLL_NAME "coll_chunk_multi_coll"
 #define H5D_XFER_COLL_CHUNK_MULTI_RATIO_IND_NAME "coll_chunk_multi_ind"
-#define H5D_XFER_COLL_CHUNK_LINK_TO_MULTI "coll_chunk_link_mul"/* Internal transferring from link to multiple chunk */
-#define H5D_XFER_COLL_CHUNK_LINK_TO_MULTI_OPT "coll_chunk_link_mul_opt"/* Internal transferring from link opt to multiple chunk opt*/
 
 /* Definitions for all collective chunk instrumentation properties */
 #define H5D_XFER_COLL_CHUNK_SIZE        sizeof(unsigned)
diff --git a/src/H5Edefin.h b/src/H5Edefin.h
index ee284c4..2ae79e5 100644
--- a/src/H5Edefin.h
+++ b/src/H5Edefin.h
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 
 /* Major error IDs */
 hid_t H5E_FUNC_g           = FAIL;      /* Function entry/exit */
-hid_t H5E_FILE_g           = FAIL;      /* File accessability */
+hid_t H5E_FILE_g           = FAIL;      /* File accessibilty */
 hid_t H5E_SOHM_g           = FAIL;      /* Shared Object Header Messages */
 hid_t H5E_SYM_g            = FAIL;      /* Symbol table */
 hid_t H5E_VFL_g            = FAIL;      /* Virtual File Layer */
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ hid_t H5E_PATH_g           = FAIL;      /* Problem with path to object */
 /* No error */
 hid_t H5E_NONE_MINOR_g     = FAIL;      /* No error */
 
-/* File accessability errors */
+/* File accessibilty errors */
 hid_t H5E_FILEEXISTS_g     = FAIL;      /* File already exists */
 hid_t H5E_FILEOPEN_g       = FAIL;      /* File already open */
 hid_t H5E_CANTCREATE_g     = FAIL;      /* Unable to create file */
diff --git a/src/H5Einit.h b/src/H5Einit.h
index 6881e48..a2eb02f 100644
--- a/src/H5Einit.h
+++ b/src/H5Einit.h
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ if((msg = H5E_create_msg(cls, H5E_MAJOR, "Function entry/exit"))==NULL)
 if((H5E_FUNC_g = H5I_register(H5I_ERROR_MSG, msg, FALSE))<0)
     HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_ERROR, H5E_CANTREGISTER, FAIL, "can't register error message")
 assert(H5E_FILE_g==(-1));
-if((msg = H5E_create_msg(cls, H5E_MAJOR, "File accessability"))==NULL)
+if((msg = H5E_create_msg(cls, H5E_MAJOR, "File accessibilty"))==NULL)
     HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_ERROR, H5E_CANTINIT, FAIL, "error message initialization failed")
 if((H5E_FILE_g = H5I_register(H5I_ERROR_MSG, msg, FALSE))<0)
     HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_ERROR, H5E_CANTREGISTER, FAIL, "can't register error message")
@@ -477,7 +477,7 @@ if((msg = H5E_create_msg(cls, H5E_MINOR, "No error"))==NULL)
 if((H5E_NONE_MINOR_g = H5I_register(H5I_ERROR_MSG, msg, FALSE))<0)
     HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_ERROR, H5E_CANTREGISTER, FAIL, "can't register error message")
 
-/* File accessability errors */
+/* File accessibilty errors */
 assert(H5E_FILEEXISTS_g==(-1));
 if((msg = H5E_create_msg(cls, H5E_MINOR, "File already exists"))==NULL)
     HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_ERROR, H5E_CANTINIT, FAIL, "error message initialization failed")
diff --git a/src/H5Eint.c b/src/H5Eint.c
index 76eaaf5..88dfdee 100644
--- a/src/H5Eint.c
+++ b/src/H5Eint.c
@@ -380,6 +380,10 @@ H5E_walk2_cb(unsigned n, const H5E_error2_t *err_desc, void *client_data)
      * they might be different. */
     cls_ptr = (H5E_cls_t *)H5I_object_verify(err_desc->cls_id, H5I_ERROR_CLASS);
 
+    /* Check for bad pointer(s), but can't issue error, just leave */
+    if(!cls_ptr)
+        HGOTO_DONE(FAIL)
+
     /* Print error class header if new class */
     if(eprint->cls.lib_name == NULL || HDstrcmp(cls_ptr->lib_name, eprint->cls.lib_name)) {
         /* update to the new class information */
diff --git a/src/H5Epubgen.h b/src/H5Epubgen.h
index 967b248..ddfb1d3 100644
--- a/src/H5Epubgen.h
+++ b/src/H5Epubgen.h
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
 #define H5E_ERROR            (H5OPEN H5E_ERROR_g)
 #define H5E_CACHE            (H5OPEN H5E_CACHE_g)
 H5_DLLVAR hid_t H5E_FUNC_g;          /* Function entry/exit */
-H5_DLLVAR hid_t H5E_FILE_g;          /* File accessability */
+H5_DLLVAR hid_t H5E_FILE_g;          /* File accessibilty */
 H5_DLLVAR hid_t H5E_SOHM_g;          /* Shared Object Header Messages */
 H5_DLLVAR hid_t H5E_SYM_g;           /* Symbol table */
 H5_DLLVAR hid_t H5E_VFL_g;           /* Virtual File Layer */
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ H5_DLLVAR hid_t H5E_PATH_g;          /* Problem with path to object */
 #define H5E_NONE_MINOR       (H5OPEN H5E_NONE_MINOR_g)
 H5_DLLVAR hid_t H5E_NONE_MINOR_g;    /* No error */
 
-/* File accessability errors */
+/* File accessibilty errors */
 #define H5E_FILEEXISTS       (H5OPEN H5E_FILEEXISTS_g)
 #define H5E_FILEOPEN         (H5OPEN H5E_FILEOPEN_g)
 #define H5E_CANTCREATE       (H5OPEN H5E_CANTCREATE_g)
diff --git a/src/H5Eterm.h b/src/H5Eterm.h
index 5edcd34..6c621bc 100644
--- a/src/H5Eterm.h
+++ b/src/H5Eterm.h
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ H5E_PATH_g=
 /* No error */    
 H5E_NONE_MINOR_g=
 
-/* File accessability errors */    
+/* File accessibilty errors */    
 H5E_FILEEXISTS_g=    
 H5E_FILEOPEN_g=    
 H5E_CANTCREATE_g=    
diff --git a/src/H5FDcore.c b/src/H5FDcore.c
index decdbf0..9b4aadc 100644
--- a/src/H5FDcore.c
+++ b/src/H5FDcore.c
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ H5FD_core_open(const char *name, unsigned flags, hid_t fapl_id,
      * default value. But if the file access property list was zero then use
      * the default value instead.
      */
-    file->increment = (fa->increment>0) ?  fa->increment : H5FD_CORE_INCREMENT;
+    file->increment = (fa->increment > 0) ? fa->increment : H5FD_CORE_INCREMENT;
 
     /* If save data in backing store. */
     file->backing_store = fa->backing_store;
diff --git a/src/H5FDdirect.c b/src/H5FDdirect.c
index 1108e05..7dbabf5 100644
--- a/src/H5FDdirect.c
+++ b/src/H5FDdirect.c
@@ -536,7 +536,8 @@ H5FD_direct_open(const char *name, unsigned flags, hid_t fapl_id, haddr_t maxadd
     /* Get the driver specific information */
     if(NULL == (plist = H5P_object_verify(fapl_id,H5P_FILE_ACCESS)))
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_ARGS, H5E_BADTYPE, NULL, "not a file access property list")
-    fa = H5P_get_driver_info(plist);
+    if(NULL == (fa = (H5FD_direct_fapl_t *)H5P_get_driver_info(plist)))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, NULL, "bad VFL driver info")
 
     file->fd = fd;
     H5_ASSIGN_OVERFLOW(file->eof,sb.st_size,h5_stat_size_t,haddr_t);
@@ -565,9 +566,9 @@ H5FD_direct_open(const char *name, unsigned flags, hid_t fapl_id, haddr_t maxadd
      * is to handle correctly the case that the file is in a different file system
      * than the one where the program is running.
      */
-    buf1 = (int*)HDmalloc(sizeof(int));
-    if (HDposix_memalign(&buf2, file->fa.mboundary, file->fa.fbsize) != 0)
-  HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_RESOURCE, H5E_CANTALLOC, NULL, "HDposix_memalign failed")
+    buf1 = (int *)HDmalloc(sizeof(int));
+    if(HDposix_memalign(&buf2, file->fa.mboundary, file->fa.fbsize) != 0)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_RESOURCE, H5E_CANTALLOC, NULL, "HDposix_memalign failed")
 
     if(o_flags & O_CREAT) {
         if(write(file->fd, (void*)buf1, sizeof(int))<0) {
diff --git a/src/H5FDfamily.c b/src/H5FDfamily.c
index f051269..dc535a2 100644
--- a/src/H5FDfamily.c
+++ b/src/H5FDfamily.c
@@ -675,8 +675,8 @@ H5FD_family_open(const char *name, unsigned flags, hid_t fapl_id,
 
         if(NULL == (plist = (H5P_genplist_t *)H5I_object(fapl_id)))
             HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_ARGS, H5E_BADTYPE, NULL, "not a file access property list")
-        fa = (H5FD_family_fapl_t *)H5P_get_driver_info(plist);
-        HDassert(fa);
+        if(NULL == (fa = (H5FD_family_fapl_t *)H5P_get_driver_info(plist)))
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, NULL, "bad VFL driver info")
 
         /* Check for new family file size. It's used by h5repart only. */
         if(H5P_exist_plist(plist, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_NEWSIZE_NAME) > 0) {
diff --git a/src/H5FDlog.c b/src/H5FDlog.c
index 1c21666..89a0a28 100644
--- a/src/H5FDlog.c
+++ b/src/H5FDlog.c
@@ -535,8 +535,8 @@ H5FD_log_open(const char *name, unsigned flags, hid_t fapl_id, haddr_t maxaddr)
     /* Get the driver specific information */
     if(NULL == (plist = H5P_object_verify(fapl_id, H5P_FILE_ACCESS)))
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_ARGS, H5E_BADTYPE, NULL, "not a file access property list")
-    fa = (H5FD_log_fapl_t *)H5P_get_driver_info(plist);
-    HDassert(fa);
+    if(NULL == (fa = (H5FD_log_fapl_t *)H5P_get_driver_info(plist)))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, NULL, "bad VFL driver info")
 
 #ifdef H5_HAVE_GETTIMEOFDAY
     if(fa->flags & H5FD_LOG_TIME_OPEN)
@@ -650,9 +650,9 @@ H5FD_log_open(const char *name, unsigned flags, hid_t fapl_id, haddr_t maxaddr)
 
 #ifdef H5_HAVE_GETTIMEOFDAY
         if(file->fa.flags & H5FD_LOG_TIME_OPEN)
-            HDfprintf(file->logfp, "Open took: (%f s)\n", (double)open_timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)open_timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0));
+            HDfprintf(file->logfp, "Open took: (%f s)\n", (double)open_timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)open_timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0f));
         if(file->fa.flags & H5FD_LOG_TIME_STAT)
-            HDfprintf(file->logfp, "Stat took: (%f s)\n", (double)stat_timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)stat_timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0));
+            HDfprintf(file->logfp, "Stat took: (%f s)\n", (double)stat_timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)stat_timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0f));
 #endif /* H5_HAVE_GETTIMEOFDAY */
 
     } /* end if */
@@ -744,7 +744,7 @@ H5FD_log_close(H5FD_t *_file)
                  timeval_diff.tv_usec += 1000000;
                  timeval_diff.tv_sec--;
              } /* end if */
-            HDfprintf(file->logfp, "Close took: (%f s)\n", (double)timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0));
+            HDfprintf(file->logfp, "Close took: (%f s)\n", (double)timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0f));
         } /* end if */
 #endif /* H5_HAVE_GETTIMEOFDAY */
 
@@ -1211,7 +1211,7 @@ H5FD_log_read(H5FD_t *_file, H5FD_mem_t type, hid_t UNUSED dxpl_id, haddr_t addr
                     timeval_diff.tv_usec += 1000000;
                     timeval_diff.tv_sec--;
                 } /* end if */
-                time_diff = (double)timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0);
+                time_diff = (double)timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0f);
                 HDfprintf(file->logfp, " (%f s)\n", time_diff);
 
                 /* Add to total seek time */
@@ -1300,7 +1300,7 @@ H5FD_log_read(H5FD_t *_file, H5FD_mem_t type, hid_t UNUSED dxpl_id, haddr_t addr
                 timeval_diff.tv_usec += 1000000;
                 timeval_diff.tv_sec--;
             } /* end if */
-            time_diff = (double)timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0);
+            time_diff = (double)timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0f);
             HDfprintf(file->logfp, " (%f s)\n", time_diff);
 
             /* Add to total read time */
@@ -1417,7 +1417,7 @@ H5FD_log_write(H5FD_t *_file, H5FD_mem_t type, hid_t UNUSED dxpl_id, haddr_t add
                     timeval_diff.tv_usec += 1000000;
                     timeval_diff.tv_sec--;
                 } /* end if */
-                time_diff = (double)timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0);
+                time_diff = (double)timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0f);
                 HDfprintf(file->logfp, " (%f s)\n", time_diff);
 
                 /* Add to total seek time */
@@ -1503,7 +1503,7 @@ H5FD_log_write(H5FD_t *_file, H5FD_mem_t type, hid_t UNUSED dxpl_id, haddr_t add
                 timeval_diff.tv_usec += 1000000;
                 timeval_diff.tv_sec--;
             } /* end if */
-            time_diff = (double)timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0);
+            time_diff = (double)timeval_diff.tv_sec + ((double)timeval_diff.tv_usec / (double)1000000.0f);
             HDfprintf(file->logfp, " (%f s)\n", time_diff);
 
             /* Add to total write time */
diff --git a/src/H5FDmpio.c b/src/H5FDmpio.c
index cac101b..2db77c9 100644
--- a/src/H5FDmpio.c
+++ b/src/H5FDmpio.c
@@ -1013,8 +1013,8 @@ H5FD_mpio_open(const char *name, unsigned flags, hid_t fapl_id,
 	_fa.info = MPI_INFO_NULL; /*default*/
 	fa = &_fa;
     } else {
-	fa = (const H5FD_mpio_fapl_t *)H5P_get_driver_info(plist);
-	assert(fa);
+        if(NULL == (fa = (const H5FD_mpio_fapl_t *)H5P_get_driver_info(plist)))
+	    HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, NULL, "bad VFL driver info")
     }
 
     /* Duplicate communicator and Info object for use by this file. */
diff --git a/src/H5FDmpiposix.c b/src/H5FDmpiposix.c
index 35f52c3..88a5886 100644
--- a/src/H5FDmpiposix.c
+++ b/src/H5FDmpiposix.c
@@ -603,8 +603,8 @@ H5FD_mpiposix_open(const char *name, unsigned flags, hid_t fapl_id,
         fa = &_fa;
     } /* end if */
     else {
-        fa = H5P_get_driver_info(plist);
-        HDassert(fa);
+        if(NULL == (fa = (const H5FD_mpiposix_fapl_t *)H5P_get_driver_info(plist)))
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, NULL, "bad VFL driver info")
     } /* end else */
 
     /* Duplicate the communicator for use by this file. */
diff --git a/src/H5Fprivate.h b/src/H5Fprivate.h
index ee89bde..9dbbba4 100644
--- a/src/H5Fprivate.h
+++ b/src/H5Fprivate.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include "H5FDpublic.h"		/* File drivers				*/
 
 /* Private headers needed by this file */
+#include "H5Vprivate.h"		/* Vectors and arrays */
 
 
 /****************************/
@@ -114,6 +115,35 @@ typedef struct H5F_blk_aggr_t H5F_blk_aggr_t;
 /* (Assumes that the high bits of the integer are zero) */
 #  define UINT64ENCODE_VAR(p, n, l)     ENCODE_VAR(p, uint64_t, n, l)
 
+/* Encode a 64-bit unsigned integer and its length into a variable-sized buffer */
+/* (Assumes that the high bits of the integer are zero) */
+#  define UINT64ENCODE_VARLEN(p, n) {					      \
+   uint64_t __n = (uint64_t)(n);							      \
+   unsigned _s = H5V_limit_enc_size(__n);				      \
+									      \
+   *(p)++ = (uint8_t)_s;						      \
+   UINT64ENCODE_VAR(p, __n, _s);						      \
+}
+
+#  define H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(p, n) {					      \
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(unsigned) == sizeof(uint32_t));		      \
+    UINT32ENCODE(p, n)							      \
+}
+
+/* Assumes the endianness of uint64_t is the same as double */
+#  define H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(p, n) {					      \
+    uint64_t _n;							      \
+    size_t _u;								      \
+    uint8_t *_p = (uint8_t*)(p);					      \
+									      \
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(double) == 8);				      \
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(double) == sizeof(uint64_t));		      \
+    HDmemcpy(&_n, &n, sizeof(double));					      \
+    for(_u = 0; _u < sizeof(uint64_t); _u++, _n >>= 8)			      \
+        *_p++ = (uint8_t)(_n & 0xff);					      \
+    (p) = (uint8_t *)(p) + 8;						      \
+}
+
 /* DECODE converts little endian bytes pointed by p to integer values and store
  * it in i.  For signed values, need to do sign-extension when converting
  * the last byte which carries the sign bit.
@@ -134,11 +164,11 @@ typedef struct H5F_blk_aggr_t H5F_blk_aggr_t;
 }
 
 #  define INT32DECODE(p, i) {						      \
-   (i)	= (	     *(p) & 0xff);	  (p)++;			      \
-   (i) |= ((int32_t)(*(p) & 0xff) <<  8); (p)++;			      \
-   (i) |= ((int32_t)(*(p) & 0xff) << 16); (p)++;			      \
-   (i) |= ((int32_t)(((*(p) & 0xff) << 24) |                                  \
-                   ((*(p) & 0x80) ? ~0xffffffff : 0x0))); (p)++;	      \
+   (i)	= ((int32_t)(*(p) & (unsigned)0xff));	  (p)++;		      \
+   (i) |= ((int32_t)(*(p) & (unsigned)0xff) <<  8); (p)++;		      \
+   (i) |= ((int32_t)(*(p) & (unsigned)0xff) << 16); (p)++;		      \
+   (i) |= ((int32_t)(((*(p) & (unsigned)0xff) << 24) |                        \
+                   ((*(p) & (unsigned)0x80) ? (unsigned)(~0xffffffff) : (unsigned)0x0))); (p)++; \
 }
 
 #  define UINT32DECODE(p, i) {						      \
@@ -190,6 +220,34 @@ typedef struct H5F_blk_aggr_t H5F_blk_aggr_t;
 /* (Assumes that the high bits of the integer will be zero) */
 #  define UINT64DECODE_VAR(p, n, l)     DECODE_VAR(p, n, l)
 
+/* Decode a 64-bit unsigned integer and its length from a variable-sized buffer */
+/* (Assumes that the high bits of the integer will be zero) */
+#  define UINT64DECODE_VARLEN(p, n) {					      \
+   unsigned _s = *(p)++;						      \
+									      \
+   UINT64DECODE_VAR(p, n, _s);						      \
+}
+
+#  define H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(p, n) {					      \
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(unsigned) == sizeof(uint32_t));		      \
+    UINT32DECODE(p, n)							      \
+}
+
+/* Assumes the endianness of uint64_t is the same as double */
+#  define H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(p, n) {					      \
+    uint64_t _n;							      \
+    size_t _u;								      \
+									      \
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(double) == 8);				      \
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(double) == sizeof(uint64_t));		      \
+    _n = 0;								      \
+    (p) += 8;								      \
+    for(_u = 0; _u < sizeof(uint64_t); _u++)				      \
+        _n = (_n << 8) | *(--p);					      \
+    HDmemcpy(&(n), &_n, sizeof(double));					      \
+    (p) += 8;								      \
+}
+
 /* Address-related macros */
 #define H5F_addr_overflow(X,Z)	(HADDR_UNDEF==(X) ||			      \
 				 HADDR_UNDEF==(X)+(haddr_t)(Z) ||	      \
@@ -580,7 +638,7 @@ H5_DLL void H5F_addr_decode_len(size_t addr_len, const uint8_t **pp, haddr_t *ad
 H5_DLL herr_t H5P_facc_close(hid_t dxpl_id, void *close_data);
 
 /* Shared file list related routines */
-H5_DLL herr_t H5F_sfile_assert_num(unsigned n);
+H5_DLL void H5F_sfile_assert_num(unsigned n);
 
 /* Routines for creating & destroying "fake" file structures */
 H5_DLL H5F_t *H5F_fake_alloc(uint8_t sizeof_size);
diff --git a/src/H5Fsfile.c b/src/H5Fsfile.c
index 95e5ad2..a1c6976 100644
--- a/src/H5Fsfile.c
+++ b/src/H5Fsfile.c
@@ -46,16 +46,14 @@ H5F_sfile_node_t *H5F_sfile_head_g = NULL;
  *
  * Purpose:	Sanity checking that shared file list is empty
  *
- * Return:	SUCCEED/FAIL
+ * Return:	none (void)
  *
  * Programmer:	Quincey Koziol
  *              Monday, July 25, 2005
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
-herr_t
+void
 H5F_sfile_assert_num(unsigned n)
 {
     FUNC_ENTER_NOAPI_NOINIT_NOERR
@@ -83,7 +81,7 @@ H5F_sfile_assert_num(unsigned n)
         HDassert(count == n);
     } /* end else */
 
-    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI_VOID
 } /* H5F_sfile_assert_num() */
 
 
diff --git a/src/H5P.c b/src/H5P.c
index c7ed30b..9489e49 100644
--- a/src/H5P.c
+++ b/src/H5P.c
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ H5Pregister2(hid_t cls_id, const char *name, size_t size, void *def_value,
 
     /* Create the new property list class */
     orig_pclass = pclass;
-    if((ret_value = H5P_register(&pclass, name, size, def_value, prp_create, prp_set, prp_get, prp_delete, prp_copy, prp_cmp, prp_close)) < 0)
+    if((ret_value = H5P_register(&pclass, name, size, def_value, prp_create, prp_set, prp_get, NULL, NULL, prp_delete, prp_copy, prp_cmp, prp_close)) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTREGISTER, FAIL, "unable to register property in class")
 
     /* Check if the property class changed and needs to be substituted in the ID */
@@ -645,7 +645,8 @@ H5Pinsert2(hid_t plist_id, const char *name, size_t size, void *value,
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_ARGS, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "properties >0 size must have default")
 
     /* Create the new property list class */
-    if((ret_value = H5P_insert(plist, name, size, value, prp_set, prp_get, prp_delete, prp_copy, prp_cmp, prp_close)) < 0)
+    if((ret_value = H5P_insert(plist, name, size, value, prp_set, prp_get,
+            NULL, NULL, prp_delete, prp_copy, prp_cmp, prp_close)) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTREGISTER, FAIL, "unable to register property in plist")
 
 done:
@@ -838,6 +839,89 @@ done:
 
 /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------
  NAME
+    H5Pencode
+ PURPOSE
+    Routine to convert the property values in a property list into a binary buffer
+ USAGE
+    herr_t H5Pencode(plist_id, buf, nalloc)
+        hid_t plist_id;         IN: Identifier to property list to encode
+        void *buf:              OUT: buffer to gold the encoded plist
+        size_t *nalloc;         IN/OUT: size of buffer needed to encode plist
+ RETURNS
+    Returns non-negative on success, negative on failure.
+ DESCRIPTION
+    Encodes a property list into a binary buffer. If the buffer is NULL, then
+    the call will set the size needed to encode the plist in nalloc. Otherwise
+    the routine will encode the plist in buf.
+ GLOBAL VARIABLES
+ COMMENTS, BUGS, ASSUMPTIONS
+ EXAMPLES
+ REVISION LOG
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+herr_t
+H5Pencode(hid_t plist_id, void *buf, size_t *nalloc)
+{
+    H5P_genplist_t	*plist;         /* Property list to query */
+    hid_t ret_value = SUCCEED;          /* return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_API(FAIL)
+    H5TRACE3("e", "i*x*z", plist_id, buf, nalloc);
+
+    /* Check arguments. */
+    if(NULL == (plist = (H5P_genplist_t *)H5I_object_verify(plist_id, H5I_GENPROP_LST)))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_ARGS, H5E_BADTYPE, FAIL, "not a property list");
+
+    /* Call the internal encode routine */
+    if((ret_value = H5P__encode(plist, TRUE, buf, nalloc)) < 0)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTENCODE, FAIL, "unable to encode property list");
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_API(ret_value)
+}   /* H5Pencode() */
+
+
+/*--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ NAME
+    H5Pdecode
+ PURPOSE
+    API routine to decode a property list from a binary buffer.
+ USAGE
+    hid_t H5Pdecode(buf)
+        void *buf;    IN: buffer that holds the encoded plist
+ RETURNS
+    Returns non-negative ID of new property list object on success, negative
+        on failure.
+ DESCRIPTION
+     Decodes a property list from a binary buffer. The contents of the buffer
+     contain the values for the correponding properties of the plist. The decode 
+     callback of a certain property decodes its value from the buffer and sets it
+     in the property list.
+ GLOBAL VARIABLES
+ COMMENTS, BUGS, ASSUMPTIONS
+     Properties in the property list that are not encoded in the serialized
+     form retain their default value.
+ EXAMPLES
+ REVISION LOG
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+hid_t
+H5Pdecode(const void *buf)
+{
+    hid_t ret_value = SUCCEED;          /* return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_API(FAIL)
+    H5TRACE1("i", "*x", buf);
+
+    /* Call the internal decode routine */
+    if((ret_value = H5P__decode(buf)) < 0)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTDECODE, FAIL, "unable to decode property list");
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_API(ret_value)
+}   /* H5Pdecode() */
+
+
+/*--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ NAME
     H5Pget_class
  PURPOSE
     Routine to query the class of a generic property list
diff --git a/src/H5Pdapl.c b/src/H5Pdapl.c
index d21cdbf..5239fba 100644
--- a/src/H5Pdapl.c
+++ b/src/H5Pdapl.c
@@ -49,13 +49,18 @@
 /* Definitions for size of raw data chunk cache(slots) */
 #define H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_SIZE       sizeof(size_t)
 #define H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_DEF        H5D_CHUNK_CACHE_NSLOTS_DEFAULT
+#define H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_ENC        H5P__encode_size_t
+#define H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_DEC        H5P__decode_size_t
 /* Definition for size of raw data chunk cache(bytes) */
 #define H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_SIZE       sizeof(size_t)
 #define H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_DEF        H5D_CHUNK_CACHE_NBYTES_DEFAULT
+#define H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_ENC        H5P__encode_size_t
+#define H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_DEC        H5P__decode_size_t
 /* Definition for preemption read chunks first */
 #define H5D_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_SIZE        sizeof(double)
 #define H5D_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_DEF         H5D_CHUNK_CACHE_W0_DEFAULT
-
+#define H5D_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_ENC         H5P__encode_double
+#define H5D_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_DEC         H5P__decode_double
 
 /******************/
 /* Local Typedefs */
@@ -130,15 +135,18 @@ H5P__dacc_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass)
     FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
 
     /* Register the size of raw data chunk cache (elements) */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_NAME, H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_SIZE, &rdcc_nslots, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_NAME, H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_SIZE, &rdcc_nslots, 
+             NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_ENC, H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_DEC, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
          HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the size of raw data chunk cache(bytes) */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_NAME, H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_SIZE, &rdcc_nbytes, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_NAME, H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_SIZE, &rdcc_nbytes, 
+             NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_ENC, H5D_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_DEC, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
          HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the preemption for reading chunks */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_NAME, H5D_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_SIZE, &rdcc_w0, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_NAME, H5D_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_SIZE, &rdcc_w0, 
+             NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_ENC, H5D_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_DEC, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
          HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
 done:
diff --git a/src/H5Pdcpl.c b/src/H5Pdcpl.c
index 9cb87fd..8a15863 100644
--- a/src/H5Pdcpl.c
+++ b/src/H5Pdcpl.c
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
 #include "H5MMprivate.h"	/* Memory management			*/
 #include "H5Ppkg.h"		/* Property lists		  	*/
 #include "H5Vprivate.h"		/* Vectors and arrays 			*/
+#include "H5Tprivate.h"		/* Datatypes 				*/
 #include "H5Zpkg.h"		/* Data filters				*/
 
 
@@ -77,18 +78,26 @@
 /* Definitions for storage layout property */
 #define H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_SIZE        sizeof(H5O_layout_t)
 #define H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_DEF         H5D_DEF_LAYOUT_CONTIG
+#define H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_ENC         H5P__dcrt_layout_enc
+#define H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_DEC         H5P__dcrt_layout_dec
 #define H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_CMP         H5P__dcrt_layout_cmp
 /* Definitions for fill value.  size=0 means fill value will be 0 as
  * library default; size=-1 means fill value is undefined. */
 #define H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_SIZE    sizeof(H5O_fill_t)
 #define H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_DEF     {{0, NULL, H5O_NULL_ID, {{0, HADDR_UNDEF}}}, H5O_FILL_VERSION_2, NULL, 0, NULL, H5D_ALLOC_TIME_LATE, H5D_FILL_TIME_IFSET, FALSE}
+#define H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_ENC     H5P__fill_value_enc
+#define H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_DEC     H5P__fill_value_dec
 #define H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_CMP     H5P_fill_value_cmp
 /* Definitions for space allocation time state */
 #define H5D_CRT_ALLOC_TIME_STATE_SIZE   sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5D_CRT_ALLOC_TIME_STATE_DEF    1
+#define H5D_CRT_ALLOC_TIME_STATE_ENC    H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5D_CRT_ALLOC_TIME_STATE_DEC    H5P__decode_unsigned
 /* Definitions for external file list */
 #define H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_SIZE sizeof(H5O_efl_t)
 #define H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_DEF  {HADDR_UNDEF, 0, 0, NULL}
+#define H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_ENC  H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_enc
+#define H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_DEC  H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_dec
 #define H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_CMP  H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_cmp
 
 
@@ -118,7 +127,13 @@ static herr_t H5P__dcrt_copy(hid_t new_plist_t, hid_t old_plist_t, void *copy_da
 static herr_t H5P__dcrt_close(hid_t dxpl_id, void *close_data);
 
 /* Property callbacks */
+static herr_t H5P__dcrt_layout_enc(const void *value, void **pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__dcrt_layout_dec(const void **pp, void *value);
 static int H5P__dcrt_layout_cmp(const void *value1, const void *value2, size_t size);
+static herr_t H5P__fill_value_enc(const void *value, void **pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__fill_value_dec(const void **pp, void *value);
+static herr_t H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_enc(const void *value, void **pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_dec(const void **pp, void *value);
 static int H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_cmp(const void *value1, const void *value2, size_t size);
 
 
@@ -150,6 +165,17 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_DCRT[1] = {{
 /* Declare extern the free list to manage blocks of type conversion data */
 H5FL_BLK_EXTERN(type_conv);
 
+
+/***************************/
+/* Local Private Variables */
+/***************************/
+
+/* Property value defaults */
+static const H5O_layout_t H5D_def_layout_g = H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_DEF;        /* Default storage layout */
+static const H5O_fill_t H5D_def_fill_g = H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_DEF;        /* Default fill value */
+static const unsigned H5D_def_alloc_time_state_g = H5D_CRT_ALLOC_TIME_STATE_DEF;  /* Default allocation time state */
+static const H5O_efl_t H5D_def_efl_g = H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_DEF;                 /* Default external file list */
+
 /* Defaults for each type of layout */
 #ifdef H5_HAVE_C99_DESIGNATED_INITIALIZER
 static const H5O_layout_t H5D_def_layout_compact_g = H5D_DEF_LAYOUT_COMPACT;
@@ -178,28 +204,32 @@ static hbool_t H5P_dcrt_def_layout_init_g = FALSE;
 static herr_t
 H5P__dcrt_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass)
 {
-    H5O_layout_t layout = H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_DEF;          /* Default storage layout */
-    H5O_fill_t fill = H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_DEF;           /* Default fill value */
-    unsigned alloc_time_state = H5D_CRT_ALLOC_TIME_STATE_DEF;   /* Default allocation time state */
-    H5O_efl_t efl = H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_DEF;          /* Default external file list */
     herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
 
     FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
 
     /* Register the storage layout property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_NAME, H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_SIZE, &layout, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_CMP, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_NAME, H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_SIZE, &H5D_def_layout_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_ENC, H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, H5D_CRT_LAYOUT_CMP, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the fill value property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_NAME, H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_SIZE, &fill, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_CMP, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_NAME, H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_SIZE, &H5D_def_fill_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_ENC, H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, H5D_CRT_FILL_VALUE_CMP, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the space allocation time state property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_CRT_ALLOC_TIME_STATE_NAME, H5D_CRT_ALLOC_TIME_STATE_SIZE, &alloc_time_state, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_CRT_ALLOC_TIME_STATE_NAME, H5D_CRT_ALLOC_TIME_STATE_SIZE, &H5D_def_alloc_time_state_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_CRT_ALLOC_TIME_STATE_ENC, H5D_CRT_ALLOC_TIME_STATE_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the external file list property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_NAME, H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_SIZE, &efl, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_CMP, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_NAME, H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_SIZE, &H5D_def_efl_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_ENC, H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, H5D_CRT_EXT_FILE_LIST_CMP, NULL) < 0)
        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
 done:
@@ -370,6 +400,150 @@ done:
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dcrt_layout_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the layout
+ *                 property in the dataset creation property list is
+ *                 encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dcrt_layout_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5O_layout_t *layout = (const H5O_layout_t *)value; /* Create local aliases for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(layout);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        /* Encode layout type */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)layout->type;
+
+        /* If layout is chunked, encode chunking structure */
+        if(H5D_CHUNKED == layout->type) {
+            unsigned u;     /* Local index variable */
+
+            /* Encode rank */
+            *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)layout->u.chunk.ndims;
+
+            /* Encode chunk dims */
+            HDcompile_assert(sizeof(uint32_t) == sizeof(layout->u.chunk.dim[0]));
+            for(u = 0; u < layout->u.chunk.ndims; u++)
+                UINT32ENCODE(*pp, layout->u.chunk.dim[u])
+        } /* end if */
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Size of layout type */
+    *size += sizeof(uint8_t);
+
+    /* Size of chunk info encoding */
+    if(H5D_CHUNKED == layout->type) {
+        *size += sizeof(uint8_t);
+        *size += layout->u.chunk.ndims * sizeof(uint32_t);
+    } /* end if */
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dcrt_layout_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dcrt_layout_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the layout
+ *                 property in the dataset creation property list is
+ *                 decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dcrt_layout_dec(const void **_pp, void *value)
+{
+    const H5O_layout_t *layout;         /* Storage layout */
+    H5O_layout_t chunk_layout;          /* Layout structure for chunk info */
+    H5D_layout_t type;                  /* Layout type */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(value);
+
+    /* Decode layout type */
+    type = (H5D_layout_t)*(*pp)++;
+
+    /* set default layout in case the type is compact or contiguous, otherwise
+     * decode the chunked structure and set chunked layout */
+    switch(type) {
+        case H5D_COMPACT:
+            layout = &H5D_def_layout_compact_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5D_CONTIGUOUS:
+            layout = &H5D_def_layout_contig_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5D_CHUNKED:
+            {
+                unsigned ndims;                 /* Number of chunk dimensions */
+
+                /* Decode the number of chunk dimensions */
+                ndims = *(*pp)++;
+
+                /* default chunk layout */
+                if(0 == ndims)
+                    layout = &H5D_def_layout_chunk_g;
+                else { /* chunk layout structure is encoded*/
+                    unsigned u;             /* Local index variable */
+
+                    /* Initialize to default values */
+                    chunk_layout = H5D_def_layout_chunk_g;
+
+                    /* Set rank & dimensions */
+                    chunk_layout.u.chunk.ndims = (unsigned)ndims;
+                    for(u = 0; u < ndims; u++)
+                        UINT32DECODE(*pp, chunk_layout.u.chunk.dim[u])
+
+                    /* Point at the newly set up struct */
+                    layout = &chunk_layout;
+                } /* end else */
+            }
+            break;
+
+        case H5D_LAYOUT_ERROR:
+        case H5D_NLAYOUTS:
+        default:
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "bad layout type")
+    } /* end switch */
+
+    /* Set the value */
+    HDmemcpy(value, layout, sizeof(H5O_layout_t));
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__dcrt_layout_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:       H5P__dcrt_layout_cmp
  *
  * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the layout
@@ -441,6 +615,168 @@ done:
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__fill_value_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the fill value
+ *                 property in the dataset creation property list is
+ *                 encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__fill_value_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5O_fill_t *fill = (const H5O_fill_t *)value; /* Create local aliases for values */
+    size_t   dt_size = 0;                 /* Size of encoded datatype */
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+    uint64_t enc_value;
+    unsigned enc_size;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(ssize_t) <= sizeof(int64_t));
+    HDassert(fill);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        /* Encode alloc and fill time */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)fill->alloc_time;
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)fill->fill_time;
+
+        /* Encode size of fill value */
+        INT64ENCODE(*pp, fill->size)
+
+        /* Encode the fill value & datatype */
+        if(fill->size > 0) {
+            /* Encode the fill value itself */
+            HDmemcpy(*pp, (uint8_t *)fill->buf, (size_t)fill->size);
+            *pp += fill->size;
+
+            /* Encode fill value datatype */
+            HDassert(fill->type);
+
+            if(H5T_encode(fill->type, NULL, &dt_size) < 0)
+                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATATYPE, H5E_CANTENCODE, FAIL, "can't encode datatype")
+
+            /* Encode the size of a size_t */
+            enc_value = (uint64_t)dt_size;
+            enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+            HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+
+            /* Encode the size */
+            *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+
+            /* Encode the size of the encoded datatype */
+            UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+            if(H5T_encode(fill->type, *pp, &dt_size) < 0)
+                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATATYPE, H5E_CANTENCODE, FAIL, "can't encode datatype")
+            *pp += dt_size;
+        } /* end if */
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Calculate size needed for encoding */
+    *size += 2;
+    *size += sizeof(int64_t);
+    if(fill->size > 0) {
+        /* The size of the fill value buffer */
+        *size += (size_t)fill->size;
+
+        /* calculate those if they were not calculated earlier */
+        if(NULL == *pp) {
+            /* Get the size of the encoded datatype */
+            HDassert(fill->type);
+            if(H5T_encode(fill->type, NULL, &dt_size) < 0)
+                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATATYPE, H5E_CANTENCODE, FAIL, "can't encode datatype")
+            enc_value = (uint64_t)dt_size;
+            enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+        }
+        *size += (1 + enc_size);
+        *size += dt_size;
+    } /* end if */
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__fill_value_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__fill_value_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the fill value
+ *                 property in the dataset creation property list is
+ *                 decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__fill_value_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5O_fill_t *fill = (H5O_fill_t *)_value;   /* Fill value */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;       /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(ssize_t) <= sizeof(int64_t));
+
+    /* Set property to default value */
+    *fill = H5D_def_fill_g;
+
+    /* Decode alloc and fill time */
+    fill->alloc_time = (H5D_alloc_time_t)*(*pp)++;
+    fill->fill_time = (H5D_fill_time_t)*(*pp)++;
+
+    /* Decode fill size */
+    INT64DECODE(*pp, fill->size)
+
+    /* Check if there's a fill value */
+    if(fill->size > 0) {
+        size_t dt_size = 0;
+        uint64_t enc_value;
+        unsigned enc_size;
+
+        /* Allocate fill buffer and copy the contents in it */
+        if(NULL == (fill->buf = H5MM_malloc((size_t)fill->size)))
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTALLOC, FAIL, "memory allocation failed for fill value buffer")
+        HDmemcpy((uint8_t *)fill->buf, *pp, (size_t)fill->size);
+        *pp += fill->size;
+
+        enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+
+        /* Decode the size of encoded datatype */
+        UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+        dt_size = (size_t)enc_value;
+
+        /* Decode type */
+        if(NULL == (fill->type = H5T_decode(*pp)))
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTDECODE, FAIL, "can't decode fill value datatype")
+        *pp += dt_size;
+    } /* end if */
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__fill_value_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:       H5P_fill_value_cmp
  *
  * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the fill value
@@ -502,6 +838,181 @@ done:
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the efl
+ *                 property in the dataset creation property list is
+ *                 encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5O_efl_t *efl = (const H5O_efl_t *)value; /* Create local aliases for values */
+    size_t len = 0;                     /* String length of slot name */
+    size_t u;                           /* Local index variable */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+    unsigned enc_size;
+    uint64_t enc_value;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(efl);
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(off_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(hsize_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        /* Encode number of slots used */
+        enc_value = (uint64_t)efl->nused;
+        enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+        UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+        /* Encode file list */
+        for(u = 0; u < efl->nused; u++) {
+            /* Calculate length of slot name and encode it */
+            len = HDstrlen(efl->slot[u].name) + 1;
+            enc_value = (uint64_t)len;
+            enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+            HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+            *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+            UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+            /* Encode name */
+            HDmemcpy(*pp, (uint8_t *)(efl->slot[u].name), len);
+            *pp += len;
+
+            /* Encode offset */
+            enc_value = (uint64_t)efl->slot[u].offset;
+            enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+            HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+            *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+            UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+            /* encode size */
+            enc_value = (uint64_t)efl->slot[u].size;
+            enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+            HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+            *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+            UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+        } /* end for */
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Calculate size needed for encoding */
+    *size += (1 + H5V_limit_enc_size((uint64_t)efl->nused));
+    for(u = 0; u < efl->nused; u++) {
+        len = HDstrlen(efl->slot[u].name) + 1;
+        *size += (1 + H5V_limit_enc_size((uint64_t)len));
+        *size += len;
+        *size += (1 + H5V_limit_enc_size((uint64_t)efl->slot[u].offset));
+        *size += (1 + H5V_limit_enc_size((uint64_t)efl->slot[u].size));
+    } /* end for */
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the efl
+ *                 property in the dataset creation property list is
+ *                 decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5O_efl_t *efl = (H5O_efl_t *)_value;  /* External file list */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    size_t u, nused;
+    unsigned enc_size;
+    uint64_t enc_value;
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;       /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(efl);
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(off_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(hsize_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+
+    /* Set property to default value */
+    *efl = H5D_def_efl_g;
+
+    /* Decode number of slots used */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+    UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    nused = (size_t)enc_value;
+
+    /* Decode information for each slot */
+    for(u = 0; u < nused; u++) {
+        size_t len;
+        if(efl->nused >= efl->nalloc) {
+            size_t na = efl->nalloc + H5O_EFL_ALLOC;
+            H5O_efl_entry_t *x = (H5O_efl_entry_t *)H5MM_realloc(efl->slot, 
+                                                                 na * sizeof(H5O_efl_entry_t));
+            if(!x)
+                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_RESOURCE, H5E_CANTALLOC, FAIL, "memory allocation failed")
+
+            efl->nalloc = na;
+            efl->slot = x;
+        } /* end if */
+
+        /* Decode length of slot name */
+        enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+        UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+        len = (size_t)enc_value;
+
+        /* Allocate name buffer and decode the name into it */
+        efl->slot[u].name = H5MM_xstrdup((const char *)(*pp));
+        *pp += len;
+
+        /* decode offset */
+        enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+        UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+        efl->slot[u].offset = (off_t)enc_value;
+
+        /* decode size */
+        enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+        UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+        efl->slot[u].size = (hsize_t)enc_value;
+
+        efl->slot[u].name_offset = 0; /*not entered into heap yet*/
+        efl->nused++;
+    } /* end for */
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:       H5P__dcrt_ext_file_list_cmp
  *
  * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the external file
@@ -1538,7 +2049,7 @@ done:
  * Function:	H5Pset_fill_value
  *
  * Purpose:	Set the fill value for a dataset creation property list. The
- *		VALUE is interpretted as being of type TYPE, which need not
+ *		VALUE is interpreted as being of type TYPE, which need not
  *		be the same type as the dataset but the library must be able
  *		to convert VALUE to the dataset type when the dataset is
  *		created.  If VALUE is NULL, it will be interpreted as
@@ -1549,13 +2060,6 @@ done:
  * Programmer:	Robb Matzke
  *              Thursday, October  1, 1998
  *
- * Modifications:
- *
- *              Raymond Lu
- *              Tuesday, October 2, 2001
- *              Changed the way to check parameter and set property for
- *              generic property list.
- *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 herr_t
diff --git a/src/H5Pdeprec.c b/src/H5Pdeprec.c
index 8d1d75f..cb5e10f 100644
--- a/src/H5Pdeprec.c
+++ b/src/H5Pdeprec.c
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ H5Pregister1(hid_t cls_id, const char *name, size_t size, void *def_value,
 
     /* Create the new property list class */
     orig_pclass = pclass;
-    if((ret_value = H5P_register(&pclass, name, size, def_value, prp_create, prp_set, prp_get, prp_delete, prp_copy, NULL, prp_close)) < 0)
+    if((ret_value = H5P_register(&pclass, name, size, def_value, prp_create, prp_set, prp_get, NULL, NULL, prp_delete, prp_copy, NULL, prp_close)) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTREGISTER, FAIL, "unable to register property in class");
 
     /* Check if the property class changed and needs to be substituted in the ID */
@@ -450,7 +450,8 @@ H5Pinsert1(hid_t plist_id, const char *name, size_t size, void *value,
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_ARGS, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "properties >0 size must have default")
 
     /* Create the new property list class */
-    if((ret_value = H5P_insert(plist, name, size, value, prp_set, prp_get, prp_delete, prp_copy, NULL, prp_close)) < 0)
+    if((ret_value = H5P_insert(plist, name, size, value, prp_set, prp_get,
+            NULL, NULL, prp_delete, prp_copy, NULL, prp_close)) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTREGISTER, FAIL, "unable to register property in plist")
 
 done:
diff --git a/src/H5Pdxpl.c b/src/H5Pdxpl.c
index d94ee7f..ec7def8 100644
--- a/src/H5Pdxpl.c
+++ b/src/H5Pdxpl.c
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 #include "H5Dprivate.h"		/* Datasets				*/
 #include "H5Eprivate.h"		/* Error handling		  	*/
 #include "H5Iprivate.h"		/* IDs			  		*/
+#include "H5MMprivate.h"	/* Memory management			*/
 #include "H5Ppkg.h"		/* Property lists		  	*/
 
 
@@ -49,6 +50,8 @@
 /* Definitions for maximum temp buffer size property */
 #define H5D_XFER_MAX_TEMP_BUF_SIZE      sizeof(size_t)
 #define H5D_XFER_MAX_TEMP_BUF_DEF       H5D_TEMP_BUF_SIZE
+#define H5D_XFER_MAX_TEMP_BUF_ENC       H5P__encode_size_t
+#define H5D_XFER_MAX_TEMP_BUF_DEC       H5P__decode_size_t
 /* Definitions for type conversion buffer property */
 #define H5D_XFER_TCONV_BUF_SIZE         sizeof(void *)
 #define H5D_XFER_TCONV_BUF_DEF          NULL
@@ -58,12 +61,16 @@
 /* Definitions for background buffer type property */
 #define H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_TYPE_SIZE     sizeof(H5T_bkg_t)
 #define H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_TYPE_DEF      H5T_BKG_NO
+#define H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_TYPE_ENC      H5P__dxfr_bkgr_buf_type_enc
+#define H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_TYPE_DEC      H5P__dxfr_bkgr_buf_type_dec
 /* Definitions for B-tree node splitting ratio property */
 /* (These default B-tree node splitting ratios are also used for splitting
  * group's B-trees as well as chunked dataset's B-trees - QAK)
  */
 #define H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_SIZE sizeof(double[3])
-#define H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_DEF  {0.1, 0.5, 0.9}
+#define H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_DEF  {0.1f, 0.5f, 0.9f}
+#define H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_ENC  H5P__dxfr_btree_split_ratio_enc
+#define H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_DEC  H5P__dxfr_btree_split_ratio_dec
 /* Definitions for vlen allocation function property */
 #define H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_SIZE        sizeof(H5MM_allocate_t)
 #define H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_DEF         H5D_VLEN_ALLOC
@@ -82,20 +89,37 @@
  */
 #define H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_SIZE sizeof(size_t)
 #define H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_DEF  H5D_IO_VECTOR_SIZE
+#define H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_ENC  H5P__encode_size_t
+#define H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_DEC  H5P__decode_size_t
+
+/* Parallel I/O properties */
+/* Note: Some of these are registered with the DXPL class even when parallel
+ *      is disabled, so that property list comparisons of encoded property
+ *      lists (between parallel & non-parallel builds) work properly. -QAK
+ */
 
-#ifdef H5_HAVE_PARALLEL
 /* Definitions for I/O transfer mode property */
 #define H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_SIZE      sizeof(H5FD_mpio_xfer_t)
 #define H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_DEF       H5FD_MPIO_INDEPENDENT
+#define H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_ENC       H5P__dxfr_io_xfer_mode_enc
+#define H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_DEC       H5P__dxfr_io_xfer_mode_dec
 /* Definitions for optimization of MPI-IO transfer mode property */
 #define H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_SIZE       sizeof(H5FD_mpio_collective_opt_t)
 #define H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_DEF        H5FD_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_IO
+#define H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_ENC        H5P__dxfr_mpio_collective_opt_enc
+#define H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_DEC        H5P__dxfr_mpio_collective_opt_dec
 #define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_SIZE       sizeof(H5FD_mpio_chunk_opt_t)
 #define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_DEF        H5FD_MPIO_CHUNK_DEFAULT
+#define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_ENC        H5P__dxfr_mpio_chunk_opt_hard_enc
+#define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_DEC        H5P__dxfr_mpio_chunk_opt_hard_dec
 #define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_NUM_SIZE        sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_NUM_DEF         H5D_ONE_LINK_CHUNK_IO_THRESHOLD
+#define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_NUM_ENC         H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_NUM_DEC         H5P__decode_unsigned
 #define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_SIZE      sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_DEF       H5D_MULTI_CHUNK_IO_COL_THRESHOLD
+#define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_ENC       H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_DEC       H5P__decode_unsigned
 /* Definitions for chunk opt mode property. */
 #define H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_SIZE     sizeof(H5D_mpio_actual_chunk_opt_mode_t)
 #define H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_DEF      H5D_MPIO_NO_CHUNK_OPTIMIZATION
@@ -105,6 +129,7 @@
 /* Definitions for cause of broken collective io property */
 #define H5D_MPIO_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_SIZE   sizeof(uint32_t)
 #define H5D_MPIO_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_DEF   H5D_MPIO_COLLECTIVE 
+#ifdef H5_HAVE_PARALLEL
 /* Definitions for memory MPI type property */
 #define H5FD_MPI_XFER_MEM_MPI_TYPE_SIZE        sizeof(MPI_Datatype)
 #define H5FD_MPI_XFER_MEM_MPI_TYPE_DEF         MPI_DATATYPE_NULL
@@ -116,6 +141,8 @@
 /* Definitions for EDC property */
 #define H5D_XFER_EDC_SIZE           sizeof(H5Z_EDC_t)
 #define H5D_XFER_EDC_DEF            H5Z_ENABLE_EDC
+#define H5D_XFER_EDC_ENC            H5P__dxfr_edc_enc
+#define H5D_XFER_EDC_DEC            H5P__dxfr_edc_dec
 /* Definitions for filter callback function property */
 #define H5D_XFER_FILTER_CB_SIZE     sizeof(H5Z_cb_t)
 #define H5D_XFER_FILTER_CB_DEF      {NULL,NULL}
@@ -125,6 +152,8 @@
 /* Definitions for data transform property */
 #define H5D_XFER_XFORM_SIZE         sizeof(void *)
 #define H5D_XFER_XFORM_DEF          NULL
+#define H5D_XFER_XFORM_ENC          H5P__dxfr_xform_enc
+#define H5D_XFER_XFORM_DEC          H5P__dxfr_xform_dec
 #define H5D_XFER_XFORM_DEL          H5P__dxfr_xform_del
 #define H5D_XFER_XFORM_COPY         H5P__dxfr_xform_copy
 #define H5D_XFER_XFORM_CMP          H5P__dxfr_xform_cmp
@@ -148,6 +177,20 @@
 static herr_t H5P__dxfr_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass);
 
 /* Property list callbacks */
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_bkgr_buf_type_enc(const void *value, void **pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_bkgr_buf_type_dec(const void **pp, void *value);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_btree_split_ratio_enc(const void *value, void **pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_btree_split_ratio_dec(const void **pp, void *value);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_io_xfer_mode_enc(const void *value, void **pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_io_xfer_mode_dec(const void **pp, void *value);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_mpio_collective_opt_enc(const void *value, void **pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_mpio_collective_opt_dec(const void **pp, void *value);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_mpio_chunk_opt_hard_enc(const void *value, void **pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_mpio_chunk_opt_hard_dec(const void **pp, void *value);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_edc_enc(const void *value, void **pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_edc_dec(const void **pp, void *value);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_xform_enc(const void *value, void **pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__dxfr_xform_dec(const void **pp, void *value);
 static herr_t H5P__dxfr_xform_del(hid_t prop_id, const char* name, size_t size, void* value);
 static herr_t H5P__dxfr_xform_copy(const char* name, size_t size, void* value);
 static int H5P__dxfr_xform_cmp(const void *value1, const void *value2, size_t size);
@@ -180,6 +223,39 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_DXFR[1] = {{
 /*****************************/
 
 
+/***************************/
+/* Local Private Variables */
+/***************************/
+
+/* Property value defaults */
+static const size_t H5D_def_max_temp_buf_g = H5D_XFER_MAX_TEMP_BUF_DEF;        /* Default value for maximum temp buffer size */
+static const void *H5D_def_tconv_buf_g = H5D_XFER_TCONV_BUF_DEF;               /* Default value for type conversion buffer */
+static const void *H5D_def_bkgr_buf_g = H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_DEF;                 /* Default value for background buffer */
+static const H5T_bkg_t H5D_def_bkgr_buf_type_g = H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_TYPE_DEF;
+static const double H5D_def_btree_split_ratio_g[3] = H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_DEF;   /* Default value for B-tree node split ratios */
+static const H5MM_allocate_t H5D_def_vlen_alloc_g = H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_DEF;   /* Default value for vlen allocation function */
+static const void *H5D_def_vlen_alloc_info_g = H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_INFO_DEF;   /* Default value for vlen allocation information */
+static const H5MM_free_t H5D_def_vlen_free_g = H5D_XFER_VLEN_FREE_DEF;         /* Default value for vlen free function */
+static const void *H5D_def_vlen_free_info_g = H5D_XFER_VLEN_FREE_INFO_DEF;     /* Default value for vlen free information */
+static const size_t H5D_def_hyp_vec_size_g = H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_DEF;   /* Default value for vector size */
+static const H5FD_mpio_xfer_t H5D_def_io_xfer_mode_g = H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_DEF;      /* Default value for I/O transfer mode */
+static const H5FD_mpio_chunk_opt_t H5D_def_mpio_chunk_opt_mode_g = H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_DEF;
+static const H5FD_mpio_collective_opt_t H5D_def_mpio_collective_opt_mode_g = H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_DEF;
+static const unsigned H5D_def_mpio_chunk_opt_num_g = H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_NUM_DEF;
+static const unsigned H5D_def_mpio_chunk_opt_ratio_g = H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_DEF;
+static const H5D_mpio_actual_chunk_opt_mode_t H5D_def_mpio_actual_chunk_opt_mode_g = H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_DEF;
+static const H5D_mpio_actual_io_mode_t H5D_def_mpio_actual_io_mode_g = H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_IO_MODE_DEF;
+static const H5D_mpio_no_collective_cause_t H5D_def_mpio_no_collective_cause_g = H5D_MPIO_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_DEF; 
+#ifdef H5_HAVE_PARALLEL
+static const MPI_Datatype H5D_def_btype_g = H5FD_MPI_XFER_MEM_MPI_TYPE_DEF;  /* Default value for MPI buffer type */
+static const MPI_Datatype H5D_def_ftype_g = H5FD_MPI_XFER_FILE_MPI_TYPE_DEF; /* Default value for MPI file type */
+#endif /* H5_HAVE_PARALLEL */
+static const H5Z_EDC_t H5D_def_enable_edc_g = H5D_XFER_EDC_DEF;            /* Default value for EDC property */
+static const H5Z_cb_t H5D_def_filter_cb_g = H5D_XFER_FILTER_CB_DEF;        /* Default value for filter callback */
+static const H5T_conv_cb_t H5D_def_conv_cb_g = H5D_XFER_CONV_CB_DEF;       /* Default value for datatype conversion callback */
+static const void *H5D_def_xfer_xform_g = H5D_XFER_XFORM_DEF;          /* Default value for data transform */
+
+
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:    H5P__dxfr_reg_prop
@@ -195,135 +271,157 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_DXFR[1] = {{
 static herr_t
 H5P__dxfr_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass)
 {
-    size_t def_max_temp_buf = H5D_XFER_MAX_TEMP_BUF_DEF;        /* Default value for maximum temp buffer size */
-    void *def_tconv_buf = H5D_XFER_TCONV_BUF_DEF;               /* Default value for type conversion buffer */
-    void *def_bkgr_buf = H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_DEF;                 /* Default value for background buffer */
-    H5T_bkg_t def_bkgr_buf_type = H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_TYPE_DEF;
-    double def_btree_split_ratio[3] = H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_DEF;   /* Default value for B-tree node split ratios */
-    H5MM_allocate_t def_vlen_alloc = H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_DEF;   /* Default value for vlen allocation function */
-    void *def_vlen_alloc_info = H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_INFO_DEF;   /* Default value for vlen allocation information */
-    H5MM_free_t def_vlen_free = H5D_XFER_VLEN_FREE_DEF;         /* Default value for vlen free function */
-    void *def_vlen_free_info = H5D_XFER_VLEN_FREE_INFO_DEF;     /* Default value for vlen free information */
-    size_t def_hyp_vec_size = H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_DEF;   /* Default value for vector size */
     H5C_tag_t tag = H5C_TAG_DEF;                                /* Default value for cache entry tag */
-#ifdef H5_HAVE_PARALLEL
-    H5FD_mpio_xfer_t def_io_xfer_mode = H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_DEF;      /* Default value for I/O transfer mode */
-    H5FD_mpio_chunk_opt_t def_mpio_chunk_opt_mode = H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_DEF;
-    H5FD_mpio_collective_opt_t def_mpio_collective_opt_mode = H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_DEF;
-    unsigned def_mpio_chunk_opt_num = H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_NUM_DEF;
-    unsigned def_mpio_chunk_opt_ratio = H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_DEF;
-    H5D_mpio_actual_chunk_opt_mode_t def_mpio_actual_chunk_opt_mode = H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_DEF;
-    H5D_mpio_actual_io_mode_t def_mpio_actual_io_mode = H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_IO_MODE_DEF;
-    H5D_mpio_no_collective_cause_t def_mpio_no_collective_cause = H5D_MPIO_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_DEF; 
-    MPI_Datatype btype = H5FD_MPI_XFER_MEM_MPI_TYPE_DEF;  /* Default value for MPI buffer type */
-    MPI_Datatype ftype = H5FD_MPI_XFER_FILE_MPI_TYPE_DEF; /* Default value for MPI file type */
-#endif /* H5_HAVE_PARALLEL */
-    H5Z_EDC_t enable_edc = H5D_XFER_EDC_DEF;            /* Default value for EDC property */
-    H5Z_cb_t filter_cb = H5D_XFER_FILTER_CB_DEF;        /* Default value for filter callback */
-    H5T_conv_cb_t conv_cb = H5D_XFER_CONV_CB_DEF;       /* Default value for datatype conversion callback */
-    void *def_xfer_xform = H5D_XFER_XFORM_DEF;          /* Default value for data transform */
     herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
 
     FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
 
     /* Register the max. temp buffer size property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_MAX_TEMP_BUF_NAME, H5D_XFER_MAX_TEMP_BUF_SIZE, &def_max_temp_buf, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_MAX_TEMP_BUF_NAME, H5D_XFER_MAX_TEMP_BUF_SIZE, &H5D_def_max_temp_buf_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_XFER_MAX_TEMP_BUF_ENC, H5D_XFER_MAX_TEMP_BUF_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the cache tag property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5C_TAG_NAME, H5C_TAG_SIZE, &tag, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5C_TAG_NAME, H5C_TAG_SIZE, &tag, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the type conversion buffer property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_TCONV_BUF_NAME, H5D_XFER_TCONV_BUF_SIZE, &def_tconv_buf, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_TCONV_BUF_NAME, H5D_XFER_TCONV_BUF_SIZE, &H5D_def_tconv_buf_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the background buffer property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_NAME, H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_SIZE, &def_bkgr_buf, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_NAME, H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_SIZE, &H5D_def_bkgr_buf_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the background buffer type property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_TYPE_NAME, H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_TYPE_SIZE, &def_bkgr_buf_type, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_TYPE_NAME, H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_TYPE_SIZE, &H5D_def_bkgr_buf_type_g, 
+             NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_TYPE_ENC, H5D_XFER_BKGR_BUF_TYPE_DEC,
+             NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the B-Tree node splitting ratios property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_NAME, H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_SIZE, def_btree_split_ratio, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_NAME, H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_SIZE, H5D_def_btree_split_ratio_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_ENC, H5D_XFER_BTREE_SPLIT_RATIO_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the vlen allocation function property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_NAME, H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_SIZE, &def_vlen_alloc, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_NAME, H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_SIZE, &H5D_def_vlen_alloc_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the vlen allocation information property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_INFO_NAME, H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_INFO_SIZE, &def_vlen_alloc_info, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_INFO_NAME, H5D_XFER_VLEN_ALLOC_INFO_SIZE, &H5D_def_vlen_alloc_info_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the vlen free function property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_VLEN_FREE_NAME, H5D_XFER_VLEN_FREE_SIZE, &def_vlen_free, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_VLEN_FREE_NAME, H5D_XFER_VLEN_FREE_SIZE, &H5D_def_vlen_free_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the vlen free information property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_VLEN_FREE_INFO_NAME, H5D_XFER_VLEN_FREE_INFO_SIZE, &def_vlen_free_info, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_VLEN_FREE_INFO_NAME, H5D_XFER_VLEN_FREE_INFO_SIZE, &H5D_def_vlen_free_info_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the vector size property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_NAME, H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_SIZE, &def_hyp_vec_size, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_NAME, H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_SIZE, &H5D_def_hyp_vec_size_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_ENC, H5D_XFER_HYPER_VECTOR_SIZE_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
-#ifdef H5_HAVE_PARALLEL
     /* Register the I/O transfer mode properties */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_NAME, H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_SIZE, &def_io_xfer_mode, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_NAME, H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_SIZE, &H5D_def_io_xfer_mode_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_ENC, H5D_XFER_IO_XFER_MODE_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_NAME, H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_SIZE, &def_mpio_collective_opt_mode, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_NAME, H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_SIZE, &H5D_def_mpio_collective_opt_mode_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_ENC, H5D_XFER_MPIO_COLLECTIVE_OPT_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_NAME, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_SIZE, &def_mpio_chunk_opt_mode, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_NAME, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_SIZE, &H5D_def_mpio_chunk_opt_mode_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_ENC, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_HARD_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_NUM_NAME, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_NUM_SIZE, &def_mpio_chunk_opt_num, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_NUM_NAME, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_NUM_SIZE, &H5D_def_mpio_chunk_opt_num_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_NUM_ENC, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_NUM_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_NAME, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_SIZE, &def_mpio_chunk_opt_ratio, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_NAME, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_SIZE, &H5D_def_mpio_chunk_opt_ratio_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_ENC, H5D_XFER_MPIO_CHUNK_OPT_RATIO_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the chunk optimization mode property. */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_NAME, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_SIZE, &def_mpio_actual_chunk_opt_mode, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_NAME, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_CHUNK_OPT_MODE_SIZE, &H5D_def_mpio_actual_chunk_opt_mode_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the actual I/O mode property. */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_IO_MODE_NAME, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_IO_MODE_SIZE, &def_mpio_actual_io_mode, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_IO_MODE_NAME, H5D_MPIO_ACTUAL_IO_MODE_SIZE, &H5D_def_mpio_actual_io_mode_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the local cause of broken collective I/O */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_MPIO_LOCAL_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_NAME, H5D_MPIO_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_SIZE, &def_mpio_no_collective_cause, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_MPIO_LOCAL_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_NAME, H5D_MPIO_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_SIZE, &H5D_def_mpio_no_collective_cause_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the global cause of broken collective I/O */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_MPIO_GLOBAL_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_NAME, H5D_MPIO_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_SIZE, &def_mpio_no_collective_cause, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_MPIO_GLOBAL_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_NAME, H5D_MPIO_NO_COLLECTIVE_CAUSE_SIZE, &H5D_def_mpio_no_collective_cause_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
+#ifdef H5_HAVE_PARALLEL
     /* Register the MPI memory type property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5FD_MPI_XFER_MEM_MPI_TYPE_NAME, H5FD_MPI_XFER_MEM_MPI_TYPE_SIZE, 
-                         &btype, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5FD_MPI_XFER_MEM_MPI_TYPE_NAME, H5FD_MPI_XFER_MEM_MPI_TYPE_SIZE, &H5D_def_btype_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the MPI file type property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5FD_MPI_XFER_FILE_MPI_TYPE_NAME, H5FD_MPI_XFER_FILE_MPI_TYPE_SIZE, 
-                         &ftype, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5FD_MPI_XFER_FILE_MPI_TYPE_NAME, H5FD_MPI_XFER_FILE_MPI_TYPE_SIZE, &H5D_def_ftype_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 #endif /* H5_HAVE_PARALLEL */
 
     /* Register the EDC property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_EDC_NAME, H5D_XFER_EDC_SIZE, &enable_edc, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_EDC_NAME, H5D_XFER_EDC_SIZE, &H5D_def_enable_edc_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_XFER_EDC_ENC, H5D_XFER_EDC_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the filter callback property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_FILTER_CB_NAME, H5D_XFER_FILTER_CB_SIZE, &filter_cb, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_FILTER_CB_NAME, H5D_XFER_FILTER_CB_SIZE, &H5D_def_filter_cb_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the type conversion callback property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_CONV_CB_NAME, H5D_XFER_CONV_CB_SIZE, &conv_cb, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_CONV_CB_NAME, H5D_XFER_CONV_CB_SIZE, &H5D_def_conv_cb_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the data transform property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_XFORM_NAME, H5D_XFER_XFORM_SIZE, &def_xfer_xform, NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_XFER_XFORM_DEL, H5D_XFER_XFORM_COPY, H5D_XFER_XFORM_CMP, H5D_XFER_XFORM_CLOSE) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5D_XFER_XFORM_NAME, H5D_XFER_XFORM_SIZE, &H5D_def_xfer_xform_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5D_XFER_XFORM_ENC, H5D_XFER_XFORM_DEC, 
+            H5D_XFER_XFORM_DEL, H5D_XFER_XFORM_COPY, H5D_XFER_XFORM_CMP, H5D_XFER_XFORM_CLOSE) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
 done:
@@ -331,10 +429,300 @@ done:
 } /* end H5P__dxfr_reg_prop() */
 
 
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_bkgr_buf_type_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the background
+ *                 buffer type property in the dataset transfer property list
+ *                 is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 3, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_bkgr_buf_type_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5T_bkg_t *bkgr_buf_type = (const H5T_bkg_t *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(bkgr_buf_type);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp)
+        /* Encode background buffer type */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)*bkgr_buf_type;
+
+    /* Size of background buffer type */
+    (*size)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_bkgr_buf_type_enc() */
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * Function: H5P_dxfr_xform_del
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_bkgr_buf_type_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the background
+ *                 buffer type property in the dataset transfer property list
+ *                 is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 3, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_bkgr_buf_type_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5T_bkg_t *bkgr_buf_type = (H5T_bkg_t *)_value;     /* Background buffer type */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(bkgr_buf_type);
+
+    /* Decode background buffer type */
+    *bkgr_buf_type = (H5T_bkg_t)*(*pp)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_bkgr_buf_type_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_btree_split_ratio_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the B-tree split
+ *                 ratio property in the dataset transfer property list
+ *                 is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 3, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_btree_split_ratio_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const double *btree_split_ratio = (const double *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(btree_split_ratio);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        /* Encode the size of a double*/
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)sizeof(double);
+
+        /* Encode the left split value */
+        H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(*pp, *(const double *)btree_split_ratio)
+        btree_split_ratio++;
+
+        /* Encode the middle split value */
+        H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(*pp, *(const double *)btree_split_ratio)
+        btree_split_ratio++;
+
+        /* Encode the right split value */
+        H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(*pp, *(const double *)btree_split_ratio)
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Size of B-tree split ratio values */
+    *size += 1 + (3 * sizeof(double));
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_btree_split_ratio_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_btree_split_ratio_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the B-tree split
+ *                 ratio property in the dataset transfer property list
+ *                 is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 3, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_btree_split_ratio_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    double *btree_split_ratio = (double *)_value;        /* B-tree split ratio */
+    unsigned enc_size;                  /* Size of encoded property */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(btree_split_ratio);
+
+    /* Decode the size */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    if(enc_size != sizeof(double))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "double value can't be decoded")
+
+    /* Decode the left, middle & left B-tree split ratios */
+    H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(*pp, btree_split_ratio[0])
+    H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(*pp, btree_split_ratio[1])
+    H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(*pp, btree_split_ratio[2])
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_btree_split_ratio_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_xform_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the data transform
+ *                 property in the dataset transfer property list
+ *                 is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Monday, August 6, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_xform_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5Z_data_xform_t *data_xform_prop = *(const H5Z_data_xform_t * const *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    const char *pexp = NULL;            /* Pointer to transform expression */
+    size_t	len = 0;                /* Length of transform expression */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    /* Check for data transform set */
+    if(NULL != data_xform_prop) {
+        /* Get the transform expression */
+        if(NULL == (pexp = H5Z_xform_extract_xform_str(data_xform_prop)))
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "failed to retrieve transform expression")
+
+        /* Get the transform string expression size */
+        len = HDstrlen(pexp) + 1;
+    } /* end if */
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        uint64_t enc_value;
+        unsigned enc_size;
+
+        /* encode the length of the prefix */
+        enc_value = (uint64_t)len;
+        enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+        UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+        if(NULL != data_xform_prop) {
+            /* Sanity check */
+            HDassert(pexp);
+
+            /* Copy the expression into the buffer */
+            HDmemcpy(*pp, (const uint8_t *)pexp, len);
+            *pp += len;
+            *pp[0] = '\0';
+        } /* end if */
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Size of encoded data transform */
+    *size += (1 + H5V_limit_enc_size((uint64_t)len));
+    if(NULL != pexp)
+        *size += len;
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_xform_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_xform_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the data transform
+ *                 property in the dataset transfer property list
+ *                 is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Monday, August 6, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_xform_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5Z_data_xform_t **data_xform_prop = (H5Z_data_xform_t **)_value;    /* New data xform property */
+    size_t len;                         /* Length of encoded string */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    unsigned enc_size;
+    uint64_t enc_value;
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(data_xform_prop);
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+
+    /* Decode the length of xform expression */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+    UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    len = (size_t)enc_value;
+
+    if(0 != len) {
+        if(NULL == (*data_xform_prop = H5Z_xform_create((const char *)*pp)))
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTCREATE, FAIL, "unable to create data transform info")
+        *pp += len;
+    } /* end if */
+    else
+        *data_xform_prop = H5D_XFER_XFORM_DEF;
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_xform_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function: H5P__dxfr_xform_del
  *
  * Purpose: Frees memory allocated by H5P_dxfr_xform_set
  *
@@ -1301,6 +1689,225 @@ done:
     FUNC_LEAVE_API(ret_value)
 } /* end H5Pget_hyper_vector_size() */
 
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_io_xfer_mode_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the I/O transfer
+ *                 mode property in the dataset transfer property list
+ *                 is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 3, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_io_xfer_mode_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5FD_mpio_xfer_t *xfer_mode = (const H5FD_mpio_xfer_t *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(xfer_mode);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp)
+        /* Encode I/O transfer mode */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)*xfer_mode;
+
+    /* Size of I/O transfer mode */
+    (*size)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_io_xfer_mode_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_io_xfer_mode_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the I/O transfer
+ *                 mode property in the dataset transfer property list
+ *                 is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 3, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_io_xfer_mode_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5FD_mpio_xfer_t *xfer_mode = (H5FD_mpio_xfer_t *)_value;         /* I/O transfer mode */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(xfer_mode);
+
+    /* Decode I/O transfer mode */
+    *xfer_mode = (H5FD_mpio_xfer_t)*(*pp)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_io_xfer_mode_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_mpio_collective_opt_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the MPI-I/O
+ *                 collective optimization property in the dataset transfer
+ *		   property list is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 3, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_mpio_collective_opt_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5FD_mpio_collective_opt_t *coll_opt = (const H5FD_mpio_collective_opt_t *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(coll_opt);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp)
+        /* Encode MPI-I/O collective optimization property */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)*coll_opt;
+
+    /* Size of MPI-I/O collective optimization property */
+    (*size)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_mpio_collective_opt_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_mpio_collective_opt_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the MPI-I/O
+ *                 collective optimization property in the dataset transfer
+ *		   property list is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 3, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_mpio_collective_opt_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5FD_mpio_collective_opt_t *coll_opt = (H5FD_mpio_collective_opt_t *)_value;         /* MPI-I/O collective optimization mode */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(coll_opt);
+
+    /* Decode MPI-I/O collective optimization mode */
+    *coll_opt = (H5FD_mpio_collective_opt_t)*(*pp)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_mpio_collective_opt_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_mpio_chunk_opt_hard_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the MPI-I/O
+ *                 chunk optimization property in the dataset transfer
+ *		   property list is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 3, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_mpio_chunk_opt_hard_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5FD_mpio_chunk_opt_t *chunk_opt = (const H5FD_mpio_chunk_opt_t *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(chunk_opt);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp)
+        /* Encode MPI-I/O chunk optimization property */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)*chunk_opt;
+
+    /* Size of MPI-I/O chunk optimization property */
+    (*size)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_mpio_chunk_opt_hard_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_mpio_chunk_opt_hard_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the MPI-I/O
+ *                 chunk collective optimization property in the dataset transfer
+ *		   property list is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 3, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_mpio_chunk_opt_hard_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5FD_mpio_chunk_opt_t *chunk_opt = (H5FD_mpio_chunk_opt_t *)_value;         /* MPI-I/O chunk optimization mode */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(chunk_opt);
+
+    /* Decode MPI-I/O chunk optimization mode */
+    *chunk_opt = (H5FD_mpio_chunk_opt_t)*(*pp)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_mpio_chunk_opt_hard_dec() */
+
 #ifdef H5_HAVE_PARALLEL
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1391,7 +1998,7 @@ H5Pget_mpio_no_collective_cause(hid_t plist_id, uint32_t *local_no_collective_ca
     herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;   /* return value */
     
     FUNC_ENTER_API(FAIL)
-    H5TRACE3("e", "i*Dn*Dn", plist_id, local_no_collective_cause,
+    H5TRACE3("e", "i*Iu*Iu", plist_id, local_no_collective_cause,
              global_no_collective_cause);
 
     /* Get the plist structure */
@@ -1413,3 +2020,76 @@ done:
 
 #endif /* H5_HAVE_PARALLEL */
 
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_edc_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the error detect
+ *                 property in the dataset transfer property list
+ *                 is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 3, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_edc_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5Z_EDC_t *check = (const H5Z_EDC_t *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(check);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp)
+        /* Encode EDC property */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)*check;
+
+    /* Size of EDC property */
+    (*size)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_edc_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__dxfr_edc_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the error detect
+ *                 property in the dataset transfer property list
+ *                 is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 3, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__dxfr_edc_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5Z_EDC_t *check = (H5Z_EDC_t *)_value;         /* EDC property */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(check);
+
+    /* Decode EDC property */
+    *check = (H5Z_EDC_t)*(*pp)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__dxfr_edc_dec() */
+
diff --git a/src/H5Pencdec.c b/src/H5Pencdec.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ff148b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/H5Pencdec.c
@@ -0,0 +1,813 @@
+/* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
+ * Copyright by The HDF Group.                                               *
+ * Copyright by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.         *
+ * All rights reserved.                                                      *
+ *                                                                           *
+ * This file is part of HDF5.  The full HDF5 copyright notice, including     *
+ * terms governing use, modification, and redistribution, is contained in    *
+ * the files COPYING and Copyright.html.  COPYING can be found at the root   *
+ * of the source code distribution tree; Copyright.html can be found at the  *
+ * root level of an installed copy of the electronic HDF5 document set and   *
+ * is linked from the top-level documents page.  It can also be found at     *
+ * http://hdfgroup.org/HDF5/doc/Copyright.html.  If you do not have          *
+ * access to either file, you may request a copy from help@hdfgroup.org.     *
+ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
+
+/* Programmer:  Quincey Koziol <koziol@hdfgroup.org>
+ *
+ * Purpose:	Generic Property Functions
+ */
+
+/****************/
+/* Module Setup */
+/****************/
+
+#define H5P_PACKAGE		/*suppress error about including H5Ppkg	  */
+
+/* Interface initialization */
+#define H5_INTERFACE_INIT_FUNC	H5P_init_encdec_interface
+
+
+/***********/
+/* Headers */
+/***********/
+#include "H5private.h"		/* Generic Functions			*/
+#include "H5Eprivate.h"		/* Error handling		  	*/
+#include "H5Iprivate.h"		/* IDs			  		*/
+#include "H5MMprivate.h"	/* Memory management			*/
+#include "H5Ppkg.h"		/* Property lists		  	*/
+
+
+/****************/
+/* Local Macros */
+/****************/
+
+/* Version # of encoded property lists */
+#define H5P_ENCODE_VERS         0
+
+
+/******************/
+/* Local Typedefs */
+/******************/
+
+/* Typedef for iterator when encoding a property list */
+typedef struct {
+    hbool_t encode;             /* Whether the property list should be encoded */
+    size_t *enc_size_ptr;       /* Pointer to size of encoded buffer */
+    void **pp;               /* Pointer to encoding buffer pointer */
+} H5P_enc_iter_ud_t;
+
+
+/********************/
+/* Local Prototypes */
+/********************/
+
+
+/*********************/
+/* Package Variables */
+/*********************/
+
+
+/*****************************/
+/* Library Private Variables */
+/*****************************/
+
+
+/*******************/
+/* Local Variables */
+/*******************/
+
+
+
+/*--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+NAME
+   H5P_init_encdec_interface -- Initialize interface-specific information
+USAGE
+    herr_t H5P_init_encdec_interface()
+RETURNS
+    Non-negative on success/Negative on failure
+DESCRIPTION
+    Initializes any interface-specific data or routines.  (Just calls
+    H5P_init() currently).
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+static herr_t
+H5P_init_encdec_interface(void)
+{
+    FUNC_ENTER_NOAPI_NOINIT_NOERR
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(H5P_init())
+} /* H5P_init_encdec_interface() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__encode_size_t
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Generic encoding callback routine for 'size_t' properties.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Sunday, July 29, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5P__encode_size_t(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    uint64_t enc_value = (uint64_t)*(const size_t *)value;    /* Property value to encode */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+    unsigned enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);  /* Size of encoded property */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        /* Encode the size */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+
+        /* Encode the value */
+        UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Set size needed for encoding */
+    *size += (1 + enc_size);
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__encode_size_t() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__encode_hsize_t
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Generic encoding callback routine for 'hsize_t' properties.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 August 07, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5P__encode_hsize_t(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    uint64_t enc_value = (uint64_t)*(const hsize_t *)value;    /* Property value to encode */
+    unsigned enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);  /* Size of encoded property */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(hsize_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+
+        /* Encode the value */
+        UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Set size needed for encoding */
+    *size += (1 + enc_size);
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__encode_hsize_t() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__encode_unsigned
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Generic encoding callback routine for 'unsigned' properties.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Sunday, July 29, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5P__encode_unsigned(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(value);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        /* Encode the size */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)sizeof(unsigned);
+
+        /* Encode the value */
+        H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, *(const unsigned *)value)
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Set size needed for encoding */
+    *size += (1 + sizeof(unsigned));
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__encode_unsigned() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__encode_uint8_t
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Generic encoding callback routine for 'uint8_t' properties.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 August 07, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5P__encode_uint8_t(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(value);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        /* Encode the value */
+        *(*pp)++ = *(const uint8_t *)value;
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Set size needed for encoding */
+    *size += 1;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__encode_uint8_t() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__encode_hbool_t
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Generic encoding callback routine for 'hbool_t' properties.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 August 15, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5P__encode_hbool_t(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(value);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp)
+        /* Encode the value */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)*(const hbool_t *)value;
+
+    /* Set size needed for encoding */
+    *size += 1;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__encode_hbool_t() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__encode_double
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Generic encoding callback routine for 'double' properties.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Sunday, July 29, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5P__encode_double(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(value);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        /* Encode the size */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)sizeof(double);
+
+        /* Encode the value */
+        H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(*pp, *(const double *)value)
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Set size needed for encoding */
+    *size += (1 + sizeof(double));
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__encode_double() */
+
+
+/*--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ NAME
+    H5P__encode_cb
+ PURPOSE
+    Internal callback routine when iterating over properties while encoding
+    a property list.
+ USAGE
+    int H5P__encode_cb(item, key, udata)
+        H5P_genprop_t *prop;        IN: Pointer to the property
+        void *udata;                IN/OUT: Pointer to iteration data from user
+ RETURNS
+    Success: H5_ITER_CONT
+    Fail: H5_ITER_ERROR
+ DESCRIPTION
+    This routine encodes a property in a property list
+ GLOBAL VARIABLES
+ COMMENTS, BUGS, ASSUMPTIONS
+ EXAMPLES
+ REVISION LOG
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+static int
+H5P__encode_cb(H5P_genprop_t *prop, void *_udata)
+{
+    H5P_enc_iter_ud_t *udata = (H5P_enc_iter_ud_t *)_udata;     /* Pointer to user data */
+    int ret_value = H5_ITER_CONT;       /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(prop);
+    HDassert(udata);
+
+    /* Check if this property can be encoded */
+    if(prop->encode) {
+        size_t prop_name_len;       /* Length of property's name */
+        size_t prop_value_len;      /* Encoded size of property's value */
+
+        /* Encode (or not, if the 'encode' flag is off) the property's name */
+        prop_name_len = HDstrlen(prop->name) + 1;
+        if(udata->encode) {
+            HDstrncpy((char *)*(udata->pp), prop->name, prop_name_len);
+            *(uint8_t **)(udata->pp) += prop_name_len;
+        } /* end if */
+        *(udata->enc_size_ptr) += prop_name_len;
+
+        /* Encode (or not, if *(udata->pp) is NULL) the property value */
+        prop_value_len = 0;
+        if((prop->encode)(prop->value, udata->pp, &prop_value_len) < 0)
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTENCODE, H5_ITER_ERROR, "property encoding routine failed")
+        *(udata->enc_size_ptr) += prop_value_len;
+    } /* end if */
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__encode_cb() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ NAME
+    H5P__encode
+ PURPOSE
+    Internal routine to encode a property list into a binary buffer.
+ USAGE
+    herr_t H5P__encode(plist, enc_all_prop, buf, nalloc)
+        const H5P_genplist_t *plist;  IN: Property list to encode
+        hbool_t enc_all_prop;  IN: Whether to encode all properties (TRUE),
+                or just non-default (i.e. changed) properties (FALSE).
+        uint8_t *buf;    OUT: buffer to hold the encoded plist
+        size_t *nalloc;  IN/OUT: size of buffer needed to encode plist
+ RETURNS
+    Returns non-negative on success, negative on failure.
+ DESCRIPTION
+    Encodes a property list into a binary buffer. If the buffer is NULL, then
+    the call will set the size needed to encode the plist in nalloc. Otherwise
+    the routine will encode the plist in buf.
+ GLOBAL VARIABLES
+ COMMENTS, BUGS, ASSUMPTIONS
+ EXAMPLES
+ REVISION LOG
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+herr_t
+H5P__encode(const H5P_genplist_t *plist, hbool_t enc_all_prop, void *buf,
+    size_t *nalloc)
+{
+    H5P_enc_iter_ud_t udata;        /* User data for property iteration callback */
+    uint8_t *p = (uint8_t *)buf;    /* Temporary pointer to encoding buffer */
+    int idx;                        /* Index of property to start at */
+    size_t encode_size = 0;         /* Size of buffer needed to encode properties */
+    hbool_t encode = TRUE;          /* Whether the property list should be encoded */
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;     /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    if(NULL == nalloc)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "bad allocation size pointer")
+
+    /* If the buffer is NULL, then this call to H5P__encode will return how much
+     * space is needed to encode a property.
+     */
+    if(NULL == p)
+        encode = FALSE;
+
+    /* Encode property list description info */
+    if(encode) {
+        /* Version # of property list encoding */
+        *p++ = (uint8_t)H5P_ENCODE_VERS;
+
+        /* Type of property list */
+        *p++ = (uint8_t)plist->pclass->type;
+    } /* end if */
+    encode_size += 2;
+
+    /* Initialize user data for iteration callback */
+    udata.encode = encode;
+    udata.enc_size_ptr = &encode_size;
+    udata.pp = (void **)&p;
+
+    /* Iterate over all properties in property list, encoding them */
+    idx = 0;
+    if(H5P_iterate_plist(plist, enc_all_prop, &idx, H5P__encode_cb, &udata) < 0)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADITER, FAIL, "can't iterate over properties")
+
+    /* Encode a terminator for list of properties */
+    if(encode)
+        *p++ = 0;
+    encode_size++;
+
+    /* Set the size of the buffer needed/used to encode the property list */
+    *nalloc = encode_size;
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__encode() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__decode_size_t
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Generic decoding callback routine for 'size_t' properties.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Thursday, August 2, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5P__decode_size_t(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    size_t *value = (size_t *)_value;   /* Property value to return */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    uint64_t enc_value;                 /* Decoded property value */
+    unsigned enc_size;                  /* Size of encoded property */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(value);
+
+    /* Decode the size */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+
+    /* Decode the value */
+    UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    H5_ASSIGN_OVERFLOW(*value, enc_value, uint64_t, size_t);
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__decode_size_t() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__decode_hsize_t
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Generic decoding callback routine for 'hsize_t' properties.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 August 07, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5P__decode_hsize_t(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    hsize_t *value = (hsize_t *)_value; /* Property value to return */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    uint64_t enc_value;                 /* Decoded property value */
+    unsigned enc_size;                  /* Size of encoded property */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(hsize_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(value);
+
+    /* Decode the size */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+
+    /* Decode the value */
+    UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    H5_ASSIGN_OVERFLOW(*value, enc_value, uint64_t, hsize_t);
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__decode_hsize_t() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__decode_unsigned
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Generic decoding callback routine for 'unsigned' properties.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Thursday, August 2, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5P__decode_unsigned(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    unsigned *value = (unsigned *)_value; /* Property value to return */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    unsigned enc_size;          /* Size of encoded property */
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED; /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(value);
+
+    /* Decode the size */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    if(enc_size != sizeof(unsigned))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "unsigned value can't be decoded")
+
+    H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, *value)
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__decode_unsigned() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__decode_uint8_t
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Generic decoding callback routine for 'uint8_t' properties.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Thursday, August 2, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5P__decode_uint8_t(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    uint8_t *value = (uint8_t *)_value; /* Property value to return */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED; /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(value);
+
+    /* Decode the value */
+    *value = *(*pp)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__decode_uint8_t() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__decode_hbool_t
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Generic decoding callback routine for 'hbool_t' properties.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Wednesday, August 15, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5P__decode_hbool_t(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    hbool_t *value = (hbool_t *)_value; /* Property value to return */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED; /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(value);
+
+    /* Decode the value */
+    *value = (hbool_t)*(*pp)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__decode_hbool_t() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__decode_double
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Generic decoding callback routine for 'double' properties.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Thursday, August 2, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5P__decode_double(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    double *value = (double *)_value; /* Property value to return */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    unsigned enc_size;          /* Size of encoded property */
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED; /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(value);
+
+    /* Decode the size */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    if(enc_size != sizeof(double))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "double value can't be decoded")
+
+    H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(*pp, *value)
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__decode_double() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ NAME
+    H5P__decode
+ PURPOSE
+    Internal routine to decode a property list from a binary buffer.
+ USAGE
+    H5P_genplist_t *H5P__decode(buf)
+        const void *buf;    IN: buffer that holds the encoded plist
+ RETURNS
+    Returns non-negative ID of new property list object on success, negative
+        on failure.
+ DESCRIPTION
+     Decodes a property list from a binary buffer. The contents of the buffer
+     contain the values for the correponding properties of the plist. The decode 
+     callback of a certain property decodes its value from the buffer and sets it
+     in the property list.
+ GLOBAL VARIABLES
+ COMMENTS, BUGS, ASSUMPTIONS
+     Properties in the property list that are not encoded in the serialized
+     form retain their default value.
+ EXAMPLES
+ REVISION LOG
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+hid_t
+H5P__decode(const void *buf)
+{
+    H5P_genplist_t *plist;      /* Property list to decode into */
+    void *value_buf = NULL;     /* Pointer to buffer to use when decoding values */
+    const uint8_t *p = (const uint8_t *)buf;     /* Current pointer into buffer */
+    H5P_plist_type_t type;      /* Type of encoded property list */
+    hid_t plist_id = -1;        /* ID of new property list */
+    size_t value_buf_size = 0;  /* Size of current value buffer */
+    uint8_t vers;               /* Version of encoded property list */
+    hid_t ret_value;            /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    if(NULL == p)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "decode buffer is NULL")
+
+    /* Get the version number of the encoded property list */
+    vers = (uint8_t)*p++;
+    if((uint8_t)H5P_ENCODE_VERS != vers)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_VERSION, FAIL, "bad version # of encoded information, expected %u, got %u", (unsigned)H5P_ENCODE_VERS, (unsigned)vers)
+
+    /* Get the type of the property list */
+    type = (H5P_plist_type_t)*p++;
+    if(type <= H5P_TYPE_USER || type > H5P_TYPE_LINK_ACCESS)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADRANGE, FAIL, "bad type of encoded information: %u", (unsigned)type)
+
+    /* Create new property list of the specified type */
+    if((plist_id = H5P__new_plist_of_type(type)) < 0)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_VERSION, FAIL, "can't create property list of type: %u\n", (unsigned)type);
+
+    /* Get the property list object */
+    if(NULL == (plist = (H5P_genplist_t *)H5I_object(plist_id)))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADTYPE, FAIL, "not a property class")
+
+    /* Loop over encoded properties, deserializing their values */
+    while(p) {
+        H5P_genprop_t *prop;    /* Pointer to property with same name */
+        const char *name;       /* Pointer to property list name */
+
+        /* Check for end of serialized list of properties */
+        if(0 == *p)
+            break;
+
+        /* Get property list name */
+        name = (const char *)p;
+        p += HDstrlen(name) + 1;
+
+        /* Find property with name */
+        if(NULL == (prop = H5P__find_prop_plist(plist, name)))
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_NOTFOUND, FAIL, "property doesn't exist: '%s'", name)
+
+        /* Check if we should increase the size of the value buffer */
+        if(prop->size > value_buf_size) {
+            if(NULL == (value_buf = H5MM_realloc(value_buf, prop->size)))
+                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTALLOC, FAIL, "decoding buffer allocation failed")
+            value_buf_size = prop->size;
+        } /* end if */
+
+        /* Decode serialized value */
+        if(prop->decode) {
+            if((prop->decode)((const void **)&p, value_buf) < 0)
+                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTDECODE, FAIL, "property decoding routine failed, property: '%s'", name)
+        } /* end if */
+        else
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_NOTFOUND, FAIL, "no decode callback for property: '%s', name")
+
+        /* Set the value for the property */
+        if(H5P_set(plist, name, value_buf) < 0)
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTSET, FAIL, "unable to set value for property: '%s'", name)
+    } /* end while */
+
+    /* Set return value */
+    ret_value = plist_id;
+
+done:
+    /* Release resources */
+    if(value_buf)
+        value_buf = H5MM_xfree(value_buf);
+
+    /* Cleanup on error */
+    if(ret_value < 0) {
+        if(plist_id > 0 && H5I_dec_ref(plist_id) < 0)
+            HDONE_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTCLOSEOBJ, FAIL, "unable to close partially initialized property list")
+    } /* end if */
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__decode() */
+
diff --git a/src/H5Pfapl.c b/src/H5Pfapl.c
index 889cdc6..4faed4f 100644
--- a/src/H5Pfapl.c
+++ b/src/H5Pfapl.c
@@ -59,36 +59,57 @@
 /* Definitions for the initial metadata cache resize configuration */
 #define H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_SIZE	sizeof(H5AC_cache_config_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_DEF	H5AC__DEFAULT_CACHE_CONFIG
+#define H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_ENC	H5P__facc_cache_config_enc
+#define H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_DEC	H5P__facc_cache_config_dec
+#define H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_CMP      H5P__facc_cache_config_cmp
 /* Definitions for size of raw data chunk cache(slots) */
 #define H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_SIZE       sizeof(size_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_DEF        521
+#define H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_ENC        H5P__encode_size_t
+#define H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_DEC        H5P__decode_size_t
 /* Definition for size of raw data chunk cache(bytes) */
 #define H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_SIZE       sizeof(size_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_DEF        (1024*1024)
+#define H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_ENC        H5P__encode_size_t
+#define H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_DEC        H5P__decode_size_t
 /* Definition for preemption read chunks first */
 #define H5F_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_SIZE        sizeof(double)
 #define H5F_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_DEF         0.75f
+#define H5F_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_ENC         H5P__encode_double
+#define H5F_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_DEC         H5P__decode_double
 /* Definition for threshold for alignment */
 #define H5F_ACS_ALIGN_THRHD_SIZE                sizeof(hsize_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_ALIGN_THRHD_DEF                 1
+#define H5F_ACS_ALIGN_THRHD_ENC                 H5P__encode_hsize_t
+#define H5F_ACS_ALIGN_THRHD_DEC                 H5P__decode_hsize_t
 /* Definition for alignment */
 #define H5F_ACS_ALIGN_SIZE                      sizeof(hsize_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_ALIGN_DEF                       1
+#define H5F_ACS_ALIGN_ENC                       H5P__encode_hsize_t
+#define H5F_ACS_ALIGN_DEC                       H5P__decode_hsize_t
 /* Definition for minimum metadata allocation block size (when
    aggregating metadata allocations. */
 #define H5F_ACS_META_BLOCK_SIZE_SIZE            sizeof(hsize_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_META_BLOCK_SIZE_DEF             2048
+#define H5F_ACS_META_BLOCK_SIZE_ENC             H5P__encode_hsize_t
+#define H5F_ACS_META_BLOCK_SIZE_DEC             H5P__decode_hsize_t
 /* Definition for maximum sieve buffer size (when data sieving
    is allowed by file driver */
 #define H5F_ACS_SIEVE_BUF_SIZE_SIZE             sizeof(size_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_SIEVE_BUF_SIZE_DEF              (64*1024)
+#define H5F_ACS_SIEVE_BUF_SIZE_ENC              H5P__encode_size_t
+#define H5F_ACS_SIEVE_BUF_SIZE_DEC              H5P__decode_size_t
 /* Definition for minimum "small data" allocation block size (when
    aggregating "small" raw data allocations. */
 #define H5F_ACS_SDATA_BLOCK_SIZE_SIZE           sizeof(hsize_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_SDATA_BLOCK_SIZE_DEF            2048
+#define H5F_ACS_SDATA_BLOCK_SIZE_ENC            H5P__encode_hsize_t
+#define H5F_ACS_SDATA_BLOCK_SIZE_DEC            H5P__decode_hsize_t
 /* Definition for garbage-collect references */
 #define H5F_ACS_GARBG_COLCT_REF_SIZE            sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5F_ACS_GARBG_COLCT_REF_DEF             0
+#define H5F_ACS_GARBG_COLCT_REF_ENC             H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5F_ACS_GARBG_COLCT_REF_DEC             H5P__decode_unsigned
 /* Definition for file driver ID */
 #define H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_ID_SIZE                sizeof(hid_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_ID_DEF                 H5_DEFAULT_VFD
@@ -98,9 +119,13 @@
 /* Definition for file close degree */
 #define H5F_CLOSE_DEGREE_SIZE		        sizeof(H5F_close_degree_t)
 #define H5F_CLOSE_DEGREE_DEF		        H5F_CLOSE_DEFAULT
+#define H5F_CLOSE_DEGREE_ENC		        H5P__facc_fclose_degree_enc
+#define H5F_CLOSE_DEGREE_DEC		        H5P__facc_fclose_degree_dec
 /* Definition for offset position in file for family file driver */
 #define H5F_ACS_FAMILY_OFFSET_SIZE              sizeof(hsize_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_FAMILY_OFFSET_DEF               0
+#define H5F_ACS_FAMILY_OFFSET_ENC               H5P__encode_hsize_t
+#define H5F_ACS_FAMILY_OFFSET_DEC               H5P__decode_hsize_t
 /* Definition for new member size of family driver. It's private
  * property only used by h5repart */
 #define H5F_ACS_FAMILY_NEWSIZE_SIZE             sizeof(hsize_t)
@@ -112,9 +137,13 @@
 /* Definition for data type in multi file driver */
 #define H5F_ACS_MULTI_TYPE_SIZE                 sizeof(H5FD_mem_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_MULTI_TYPE_DEF                  H5FD_MEM_DEFAULT
+#define H5F_ACS_MULTI_TYPE_ENC                  H5P__facc_multi_type_enc
+#define H5F_ACS_MULTI_TYPE_DEC                  H5P__facc_multi_type_dec
 /* Definition for 'use latest format version' flag */
 #define H5F_ACS_LATEST_FORMAT_SIZE              sizeof(hbool_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_LATEST_FORMAT_DEF               FALSE
+#define H5F_ACS_LATEST_FORMAT_ENC               H5P__encode_hbool_t
+#define H5F_ACS_LATEST_FORMAT_DEC               H5P__decode_hbool_t
 /* Definition for whether to query the file descriptor from the core VFD
  * instead of the memory address.  (Private to library)
  */
@@ -123,6 +152,8 @@
 /* Definition for external file cache size */
 #define H5F_ACS_EFC_SIZE_SIZE                   sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5F_ACS_EFC_SIZE_DEF                    0
+#define H5F_ACS_EFC_SIZE_ENC                    H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5F_ACS_EFC_SIZE_DEC                    H5P__decode_unsigned
 /* Definition of pointer to initial file image info */
 #define H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_SIZE            sizeof(H5FD_file_image_info_t)
 #define H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_DEF             H5FD_DEFAULT_FILE_IMAGE_INFO
@@ -155,6 +186,15 @@ static herr_t H5P_file_image_info_del(hid_t prop_id, const char *name, size_t si
 static herr_t H5P_file_image_info_copy(const char *name, size_t size, void *value);
 static herr_t H5P_file_image_info_close(const char *name, size_t size, void *value);
 
+/* encode & decode callbacks */
+static herr_t H5P__facc_cache_config_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__facc_cache_config_dec(const void **_pp, void *value);
+static int H5P__facc_cache_config_cmp(const void *value1, const void *value2, size_t size);
+static herr_t H5P__facc_fclose_degree_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__facc_fclose_degree_dec(const void **pp, void *value);
+static herr_t H5P__facc_multi_type_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__facc_multi_type_dec(const void **_pp, void *value);
+
 
 /*********************/
 /* Package Variables */
@@ -186,6 +226,28 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_FACC[1] = {{
 /* Local Variables */
 /*******************/
 
+/* Property value defaults */
+static const H5AC_cache_config_t H5F_def_mdc_initCacheCfg_g = H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_DEF;  /* Default metadata cache settings */
+static const size_t H5F_def_rdcc_nslots_g = H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_DEF;      /* Default raw data chunk cache # of slots */
+static const size_t H5F_def_rdcc_nbytes_g = H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_DEF;      /* Default raw data chunk cache # of bytes */
+static const double H5F_def_rdcc_w0_g = H5F_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_DEF;           /* Default raw data chunk cache dirty ratio */
+static const hsize_t H5F_def_threshold_g = H5F_ACS_ALIGN_THRHD_DEF;                /* Default allocation alignment threshold */
+static const hsize_t H5F_def_alignment_g = H5F_ACS_ALIGN_DEF;                      /* Default allocation alignment value */
+static const hsize_t H5F_def_meta_block_size_g = H5F_ACS_META_BLOCK_SIZE_DEF;      /* Default metadata allocation block size */
+static const size_t H5F_def_sieve_buf_size_g = H5F_ACS_SIEVE_BUF_SIZE_DEF;         /* Default raw data I/O sieve buffer size */
+static const hsize_t H5F_def_sdata_block_size_g = H5F_ACS_SDATA_BLOCK_SIZE_DEF;    /* Default small data allocation block size */
+static const unsigned H5F_def_gc_ref_g = H5F_ACS_GARBG_COLCT_REF_DEF;              /* Default garbage collection for references setting */
+static const void *H5F_def_driver_info_g = H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_INFO_DEF;              /* Default VFL driver info */
+static const H5F_close_degree_t H5F_def_close_degree_g = H5F_CLOSE_DEGREE_DEF;     /* Default file close degree */
+static const hsize_t H5F_def_family_offset_g = H5F_ACS_FAMILY_OFFSET_DEF;          /* Default offset for family VFD */
+static const hsize_t H5F_def_family_newsize_g = H5F_ACS_FAMILY_NEWSIZE_DEF;        /* Default size of new files for family VFD */
+static const hbool_t H5F_def_family_to_sec2_g = H5F_ACS_FAMILY_TO_SEC2_DEF;        /* Default ?? for family VFD */
+static const H5FD_mem_t H5F_def_mem_type_g = H5F_ACS_MULTI_TYPE_DEF;               /* Default file space type for multi VFD */
+static const hbool_t H5F_def_latest_format_g = H5F_ACS_LATEST_FORMAT_DEF;          /* Default setting for "use the latest version of the format" flag */
+static const hbool_t H5F_def_want_posix_fd_g = H5F_ACS_WANT_POSIX_FD_DEF;          /* Default setting for retrieving 'handle' from core VFD */
+static const unsigned H5F_def_efc_size_g = H5F_ACS_EFC_SIZE_DEF;                   /* Default external file cache size */
+static const H5FD_file_image_info_t H5F_def_file_image_info_g = H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_DEF;  /* Default file image info and callbacks */
+
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -202,114 +264,137 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_FACC[1] = {{
 static herr_t
 H5P_facc_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass)
 {
-    H5AC_cache_config_t mdc_initCacheCfg = H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_DEF;  /* Default metadata cache settings */
-    size_t rdcc_nslots = H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_DEF;      /* Default raw data chunk cache # of slots */
-    size_t rdcc_nbytes = H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_DEF;      /* Default raw data chunk cache # of bytes */
-    double rdcc_w0 = H5F_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_DEF;           /* Default raw data chunk cache dirty ratio */
-    hsize_t threshold = H5F_ACS_ALIGN_THRHD_DEF;                /* Default allocation alignment threshold */
-    hsize_t alignment = H5F_ACS_ALIGN_DEF;                      /* Default allocation alignment value */
-    hsize_t meta_block_size = H5F_ACS_META_BLOCK_SIZE_DEF;      /* Default metadata allocation block size */
-    size_t sieve_buf_size = H5F_ACS_SIEVE_BUF_SIZE_DEF;         /* Default raw data I/O sieve buffer size */
-    hsize_t sdata_block_size = H5F_ACS_SDATA_BLOCK_SIZE_DEF;    /* Default small data allocation block size */
-    unsigned gc_ref = H5F_ACS_GARBG_COLCT_REF_DEF;              /* Default garbage collection for references setting */
-    hid_t driver_id = H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_ID_DEF;                  /* Default VFL driver ID */
-    void *driver_info = H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_INFO_DEF;              /* Default VFL driver info */
-    H5F_close_degree_t close_degree = H5F_CLOSE_DEGREE_DEF;     /* Default file close degree */
-    hsize_t family_offset = H5F_ACS_FAMILY_OFFSET_DEF;          /* Default offset for family VFD */
-    hsize_t family_newsize = H5F_ACS_FAMILY_NEWSIZE_DEF;        /* Default size of new files for family VFD */
-    hbool_t family_to_sec2 = H5F_ACS_FAMILY_TO_SEC2_DEF;        /* Default ?? for family VFD */
-    H5FD_mem_t mem_type = H5F_ACS_MULTI_TYPE_DEF;               /* Default file space type for multi VFD */
-    hbool_t latest_format = H5F_ACS_LATEST_FORMAT_DEF;          /* Default setting for "use the latest version of the format" flag */
-    hbool_t want_posix_fd = H5F_ACS_WANT_POSIX_FD_DEF;          /* Default setting for retrieving 'handle' from core VFD */
-    unsigned efc_size = H5F_ACS_EFC_SIZE_DEF;                   /* Default external file cache size */
-    H5FD_file_image_info_t file_image_info = H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_DEF;  /* Default file image info and callbacks */
+    const hid_t def_driver_id = H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_ID_DEF;        /* Default VFL driver ID (initialized from a variable) */
     herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
 
     FUNC_ENTER_NOAPI_NOINIT
 
     /* Register the initial metadata cache resize configuration */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_NAME, H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_SIZE, &mdc_initCacheCfg, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_NAME, H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_SIZE, &H5F_def_mdc_initCacheCfg_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_ENC, H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_META_CACHE_INIT_CONFIG_CMP, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the size of raw data chunk cache (elements) */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_NAME, H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_SIZE, &rdcc_nslots, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_NAME, H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_SIZE, &H5F_def_rdcc_nslots_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_ENC, H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_NUM_SLOTS_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the size of raw data chunk cache(bytes) */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_NAME, H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_SIZE, &rdcc_nbytes, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_NAME, H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_SIZE, &H5F_def_rdcc_nbytes_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_ENC, H5F_ACS_DATA_CACHE_BYTE_SIZE_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the preemption for reading chunks */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_NAME, H5F_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_SIZE, &rdcc_w0, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_NAME, H5F_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_SIZE, &H5F_def_rdcc_w0_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_ENC, H5F_ACS_PREEMPT_READ_CHUNKS_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the threshold for alignment */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_ALIGN_THRHD_NAME, H5F_ACS_ALIGN_THRHD_SIZE, &threshold, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_ALIGN_THRHD_NAME, H5F_ACS_ALIGN_THRHD_SIZE, &H5F_def_threshold_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_ALIGN_THRHD_ENC, H5F_ACS_ALIGN_THRHD_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the alignment */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_ALIGN_NAME, H5F_ACS_ALIGN_SIZE, &alignment, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_ALIGN_NAME, H5F_ACS_ALIGN_SIZE, &H5F_def_alignment_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_ALIGN_ENC, H5F_ACS_ALIGN_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the minimum metadata allocation block size */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_META_BLOCK_SIZE_NAME, H5F_ACS_META_BLOCK_SIZE_SIZE, &meta_block_size, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_META_BLOCK_SIZE_NAME, H5F_ACS_META_BLOCK_SIZE_SIZE, &H5F_def_meta_block_size_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_META_BLOCK_SIZE_ENC, H5F_ACS_META_BLOCK_SIZE_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the maximum sieve buffer size */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_SIEVE_BUF_SIZE_NAME, H5F_ACS_SIEVE_BUF_SIZE_SIZE, &sieve_buf_size, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_SIEVE_BUF_SIZE_NAME, H5F_ACS_SIEVE_BUF_SIZE_SIZE, &H5F_def_sieve_buf_size_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_SIEVE_BUF_SIZE_ENC, H5F_ACS_SIEVE_BUF_SIZE_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the minimum "small data" allocation block size */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_SDATA_BLOCK_SIZE_NAME, H5F_ACS_SDATA_BLOCK_SIZE_SIZE, &sdata_block_size, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_SDATA_BLOCK_SIZE_NAME, H5F_ACS_SDATA_BLOCK_SIZE_SIZE, &H5F_def_sdata_block_size_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_SDATA_BLOCK_SIZE_ENC, H5F_ACS_SDATA_BLOCK_SIZE_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the garbage collection reference */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_GARBG_COLCT_REF_NAME, H5F_ACS_GARBG_COLCT_REF_SIZE, &gc_ref, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_GARBG_COLCT_REF_NAME, H5F_ACS_GARBG_COLCT_REF_SIZE, &H5F_def_gc_ref_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_GARBG_COLCT_REF_ENC, H5F_ACS_GARBG_COLCT_REF_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the file driver ID */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_ID_NAME, H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_ID_SIZE, &driver_id, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_ID_NAME, H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_ID_SIZE, &def_driver_id, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the file driver info */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_INFO_NAME, H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_INFO_SIZE, &driver_info, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_INFO_NAME, H5F_ACS_FILE_DRV_INFO_SIZE, &H5F_def_driver_info_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the file close degree */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_CLOSE_DEGREE_NAME, H5F_CLOSE_DEGREE_SIZE, &close_degree, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_CLOSE_DEGREE_NAME, H5F_CLOSE_DEGREE_SIZE, &H5F_def_close_degree_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CLOSE_DEGREE_ENC, H5F_CLOSE_DEGREE_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the offset of family driver info */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_OFFSET_NAME, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_OFFSET_SIZE, &family_offset, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_OFFSET_NAME, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_OFFSET_SIZE, &H5F_def_family_offset_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_OFFSET_ENC, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_OFFSET_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the private property of new family file size. It's used by h5repart only. */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_NEWSIZE_NAME, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_NEWSIZE_SIZE, &family_newsize, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_NEWSIZE_NAME, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_NEWSIZE_SIZE, &H5F_def_family_newsize_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the private property of whether convert family to sec2 driver. It's used by h5repart only. */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_TO_SEC2_NAME, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_TO_SEC2_SIZE, &family_to_sec2, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_TO_SEC2_NAME, H5F_ACS_FAMILY_TO_SEC2_SIZE, &H5F_def_family_to_sec2_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the data type of multi driver info */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_MULTI_TYPE_NAME, H5F_ACS_MULTI_TYPE_SIZE, &mem_type, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_MULTI_TYPE_NAME, H5F_ACS_MULTI_TYPE_SIZE, &H5F_def_mem_type_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_MULTI_TYPE_ENC, H5F_ACS_MULTI_TYPE_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the 'use the latest version of the format' flag */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_LATEST_FORMAT_NAME, H5F_ACS_LATEST_FORMAT_SIZE, &latest_format, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_LATEST_FORMAT_NAME, H5F_ACS_LATEST_FORMAT_SIZE, &H5F_def_latest_format_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_LATEST_FORMAT_ENC, H5F_ACS_LATEST_FORMAT_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the private property of whether to retrieve the file descriptor from the core VFD */
     /* (used internally to the library only) */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_WANT_POSIX_FD_NAME, H5F_ACS_WANT_POSIX_FD_SIZE, &want_posix_fd, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_WANT_POSIX_FD_NAME, H5F_ACS_WANT_POSIX_FD_SIZE, &H5F_def_want_posix_fd_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the external file cache size */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_EFC_SIZE_NAME, H5F_ACS_EFC_SIZE_SIZE, &efc_size, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_EFC_SIZE_NAME, H5F_ACS_EFC_SIZE_SIZE, &H5F_def_efc_size_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_EFC_SIZE_ENC, H5F_ACS_EFC_SIZE_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the initial file image info */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_NAME, H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_SIZE, &file_image_info, NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_DEL, H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_COPY, NULL, H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_CLOSE) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_NAME, H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_SIZE, &H5F_def_file_image_info_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, 
+            H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_DEL, H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_COPY, NULL, H5F_ACS_FILE_IMAGE_INFO_CLOSE) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
 done:
@@ -2347,3 +2432,551 @@ done:
     FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
 } /* end H5P_file_image_info_close() */
 
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function: H5P__facc_cache_config_cmp
+ *
+ * Purpose: Compare two cache configurations.
+ *
+ * Return: positive if VALUE1 is greater than VALUE2, negative if VALUE2 is
+ *		greater than VALUE1 and zero if VALUE1 and VALUE2 are equal.
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 September 24, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static int
+H5P__facc_cache_config_cmp(const void *_config1, const void *_config2, size_t UNUSED size)
+{
+    const H5AC_cache_config_t *config1 = (const H5AC_cache_config_t *)_config1; /* Create local aliases for values */
+    const H5AC_cache_config_t *config2 = (const H5AC_cache_config_t *)_config2; /* Create local aliases for values */
+    int ret_value = 0;               /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Check for a property being set */
+    if(config1 == NULL && config2 != NULL) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1 != NULL && config2 == NULL) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->version < config2->version) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->version > config2->version) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->rpt_fcn_enabled < config2->rpt_fcn_enabled) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->rpt_fcn_enabled > config2->rpt_fcn_enabled) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->open_trace_file < config2->open_trace_file) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->open_trace_file > config2->open_trace_file) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->close_trace_file < config2->close_trace_file) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->close_trace_file > config2->close_trace_file) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if((ret_value = HDstrncmp(config1->trace_file_name, config2->trace_file_name, 
+                              H5AC__MAX_TRACE_FILE_NAME_LEN + 1)) != 0)
+        HGOTO_DONE(ret_value);
+
+    if(config1->evictions_enabled < config2->evictions_enabled) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->evictions_enabled > config2->evictions_enabled) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->set_initial_size < config2->set_initial_size) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->set_initial_size > config2->set_initial_size) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->initial_size < config2->initial_size) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->initial_size > config2->initial_size) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->min_clean_fraction < config2->min_clean_fraction) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->min_clean_fraction > config2->min_clean_fraction) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->max_size < config2->max_size) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->max_size > config2->max_size) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->min_size < config2->min_size) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->min_size > config2->min_size) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->epoch_length < config2->epoch_length) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->epoch_length > config2->epoch_length) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->incr_mode < config2->incr_mode) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->incr_mode > config2->incr_mode) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->lower_hr_threshold < config2->lower_hr_threshold) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->lower_hr_threshold > config2->lower_hr_threshold) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->increment < config2->increment) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->increment > config2->increment) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->apply_max_increment < config2->apply_max_increment) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->apply_max_increment > config2->apply_max_increment) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->max_increment < config2->max_increment) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->max_increment > config2->max_increment) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->flash_incr_mode < config2->flash_incr_mode) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->flash_incr_mode > config2->flash_incr_mode) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->flash_multiple < config2->flash_multiple) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->flash_multiple > config2->flash_multiple) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->flash_threshold < config2->flash_threshold) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->flash_threshold > config2->flash_threshold) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->decr_mode < config2->decr_mode) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->decr_mode > config2->decr_mode) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->upper_hr_threshold < config2->upper_hr_threshold) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->upper_hr_threshold > config2->upper_hr_threshold) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->decrement < config2->decrement) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->decrement > config2->decrement) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->apply_max_decrement < config2->apply_max_decrement) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->apply_max_decrement > config2->apply_max_decrement) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->max_decrement < config2->max_decrement) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->max_decrement > config2->max_decrement) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->epochs_before_eviction < config2->epochs_before_eviction) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->epochs_before_eviction > config2->epochs_before_eviction) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->apply_empty_reserve < config2->apply_empty_reserve) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->apply_empty_reserve > config2->apply_empty_reserve) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->empty_reserve < config2->empty_reserve) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->empty_reserve > config2->empty_reserve) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->dirty_bytes_threshold < config2->dirty_bytes_threshold) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->dirty_bytes_threshold > config2->dirty_bytes_threshold) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+    if(config1->metadata_write_strategy < config2->metadata_write_strategy) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(config1->metadata_write_strategy > config2->metadata_write_strategy) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__facc_cache_config_cmp() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__facc_cache_config_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the default
+ *                 cache config property in the file creation property list is
+ *                 encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 August 09, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__facc_cache_config_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5AC_cache_config_t *config = (const H5AC_cache_config_t *)value; /* Create local aliases for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+    unsigned enc_size;      /* Size of encoded property */
+    uint64_t enc_value;         /* Property to encode */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(value);
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        /* Encode type sizes (as a safety check) */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)sizeof(unsigned);
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)sizeof(double);
+
+        /* int */
+        INT32ENCODE(*pp, (int32_t)config->version);
+
+        H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->rpt_fcn_enabled);
+
+        H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->open_trace_file);
+
+        H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->close_trace_file);
+
+        HDmemcpy(*pp, (const uint8_t *)(config->trace_file_name), H5AC__MAX_TRACE_FILE_NAME_LEN + 1);
+        *pp += H5AC__MAX_TRACE_FILE_NAME_LEN + 1;
+
+        H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->evictions_enabled);
+
+        H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->set_initial_size);
+
+        enc_value = (uint64_t)config->initial_size;
+        enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+        UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+        H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->min_clean_fraction);
+
+        enc_value = (uint64_t)config->max_size;
+        enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+        UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+        enc_value = (uint64_t)config->min_size;
+        enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+        UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+        /* long int */
+        INT64ENCODE(*pp, (int64_t)config->epoch_length);
+
+        /* enum */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)config->incr_mode;
+
+        H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->lower_hr_threshold);
+
+        H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->increment);
+
+        H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->apply_max_increment);
+
+        enc_value = (uint64_t)config->max_increment;
+        enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+        UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+        /* enum */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)config->flash_incr_mode;
+
+        H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->flash_multiple);
+
+        H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->flash_threshold);
+
+        /* enum */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)config->decr_mode;
+
+        H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->upper_hr_threshold);
+
+        H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->decrement);
+
+        H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->apply_max_decrement);
+
+        enc_value = (uint64_t)config->max_decrement;
+        enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+        UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+        /* int */
+        INT32ENCODE(*pp, (int32_t)config->epochs_before_eviction);
+
+        H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->apply_empty_reserve);
+
+        H5_ENCODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->empty_reserve);
+
+        /* int */
+        INT32ENCODE(*pp, (int32_t)config->dirty_bytes_threshold);
+
+        /* int */
+        INT32ENCODE(*pp, (int32_t)config->metadata_write_strategy);
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Compute encoded size of variably-encoded values */
+    enc_value = (uint64_t)config->initial_size;
+    *size += 1 + H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+    enc_value = (uint64_t)config->max_size;
+    *size += 1 + H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+    enc_value = (uint64_t)config->min_size;
+    *size += 1 + H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+    enc_value = (uint64_t)config->max_increment;
+    *size += 1 + H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+    enc_value = (uint64_t)config->max_decrement;
+    *size += 1 + H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+
+    /* Compute encoded size of fixed-size values */
+    *size += (5 + (sizeof(unsigned) * 8) + (sizeof(double) * 8) +
+            (sizeof(int32_t) * 4) + sizeof(int64_t) +
+            H5AC__MAX_TRACE_FILE_NAME_LEN + 1);
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__facc_cache_config_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__facc_cache_config_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the default
+ *                 cache config property in the file creation property list is
+ *                 decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 August 09, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__facc_cache_config_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5AC_cache_config_t *config = (H5AC_cache_config_t *)_value;
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    unsigned enc_size;
+    uint64_t enc_value;
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(config);
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+
+    /* Set property to default value */
+    HDmemcpy(config, &H5F_def_mdc_initCacheCfg_g, sizeof(H5AC_cache_config_t));
+
+    /* Decode type sizes */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    if(enc_size != sizeof(unsigned))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "unsigned value can't be decoded")
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    if(enc_size != sizeof(double))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "double value can't be decoded")
+
+    /* int */
+    INT32DECODE(*pp, config->version);
+
+    H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->rpt_fcn_enabled);
+
+    H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->open_trace_file);
+
+    H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->close_trace_file);
+
+    HDstrcpy(config->trace_file_name, (const char *)(*pp));
+    *pp += H5AC__MAX_TRACE_FILE_NAME_LEN + 1;
+
+    H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->evictions_enabled);
+
+    H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->set_initial_size);
+
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+    UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    config->initial_size = (size_t)enc_value;
+
+    H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->min_clean_fraction);
+
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+    UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    config->max_size = (size_t)enc_value;
+
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+    UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    config->min_size = (size_t)enc_value;
+
+    /* long int */
+    {
+        int64_t temp;
+        INT64DECODE(*pp, temp);
+        config->epoch_length = (long int)temp;
+    }
+    /* enum */
+    config->incr_mode = (enum H5C_cache_incr_mode)*(*pp)++;
+
+    H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->lower_hr_threshold);
+
+    H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->increment);
+
+    H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->apply_max_increment);
+
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+    UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    config->max_increment = (size_t)enc_value;
+
+    /* enum */
+    config->flash_incr_mode = (enum H5C_cache_flash_incr_mode)*(*pp)++;
+
+    H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->flash_multiple);
+
+    H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->flash_threshold);
+
+    /* enum */
+    config->decr_mode = (enum H5C_cache_decr_mode)*(*pp)++;
+
+    H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->upper_hr_threshold);
+
+    H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->decrement);
+
+    H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->apply_max_decrement);
+
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+    UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    config->max_decrement = (size_t)enc_value;
+
+    /* int */
+    INT32DECODE(*pp, config->epochs_before_eviction);
+
+    H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, config->apply_empty_reserve);
+
+    H5_DECODE_DOUBLE(*pp, config->empty_reserve);
+
+    /* int */
+    INT32DECODE(*pp, config->dirty_bytes_threshold);
+
+    /* int */
+    INT32DECODE(*pp, config->metadata_write_strategy);
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__facc_cache_config_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__facc_fclose_degree_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the file close
+ *                 degree property in the file access property list
+ *                 is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Wednesday, August 15, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__facc_fclose_degree_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5F_close_degree_t *fclose_degree = (const H5F_close_degree_t *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(fclose_degree);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp)
+        /* Encode file close degree */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)*fclose_degree;
+
+    /* Size of file close degree */
+    (*size)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__facc_fclose_degree_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__facc_fclose_degree_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the file close
+ *                 degree property in the file access property list
+ *                 is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Wednesday, August 15, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__facc_fclose_degree_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5F_close_degree_t *fclose_degree = (H5F_close_degree_t *)_value;            /* File close degree */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(fclose_degree);
+
+    /* Decode file close degree */
+    *fclose_degree = (H5F_close_degree_t)*(*pp)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__facc_fclose_degree_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__facc_multi_type_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the multi VFD
+ *                 memory type property in the file access property list
+ *                 is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Wednesday, August 15, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__facc_multi_type_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5FD_mem_t *type = (const H5FD_mem_t *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(type);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp)
+        /* Encode file close degree */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)*type;
+
+    /* Size of multi VFD memory type */
+    (*size)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__facc_multi_type_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__facc_multi_type_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the multi VFD
+ *                 memory type property in the file access property list
+ *                 is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Wednesday, August 15, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__facc_multi_type_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5FD_mem_t *type = (H5FD_mem_t *)_value;            /* File close degree */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(type);
+
+    /* Decode multi VFD memory type */
+    *type = (H5FD_mem_t)*(*pp)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__facc_multi_type_dec() */
+
diff --git a/src/H5Pfcpl.c b/src/H5Pfcpl.c
index 21d45df..3eb9c5b 100644
--- a/src/H5Pfcpl.c
+++ b/src/H5Pfcpl.c
@@ -49,37 +49,61 @@
 /* Definitions for the size of the file user block in bytes */
 #define H5F_CRT_USER_BLOCK_SIZE      sizeof(hsize_t)
 #define H5F_CRT_USER_BLOCK_DEF       0
+#define H5F_CRT_USER_BLOCK_ENC       H5P__encode_hsize_t
+#define H5F_CRT_USER_BLOCK_DEC       H5P__decode_hsize_t
 /* Definitions for the 1/2 rank for symbol table leaf nodes */
 #define H5F_CRT_SYM_LEAF_SIZE        sizeof(unsigned)
+#define H5F_CRT_SYM_LEAF_ENC         H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5F_CRT_SYM_LEAF_DEC         H5P__decode_unsigned
 /* Definitions for the 1/2 rank for btree internal nodes    */
 #define H5F_CRT_BTREE_RANK_SIZE      sizeof(unsigned[H5B_NUM_BTREE_ID])
 #define H5F_CRT_BTREE_RANK_DEF       {HDF5_BTREE_SNODE_IK_DEF,HDF5_BTREE_CHUNK_IK_DEF}
+#define H5F_CRT_BTREE_RANK_ENC       H5P__fcrt_btree_rank_enc
+#define H5F_CRT_BTREE_RANK_DEC       H5P__fcrt_btree_rank_dec
 /* Definitions for byte number in an address                */
 #define H5F_CRT_ADDR_BYTE_NUM_SIZE   sizeof(uint8_t)
 #define H5F_CRT_ADDR_BYTE_NUM_DEF    H5F_OBJ_ADDR_SIZE
+#define H5F_CRT_ADDR_BYTE_NUM_ENC    H5P__encode_uint8_t
+#define H5F_CRT_ADDR_BYTE_NUM_DEC    H5P__decode_uint8_t
 /* Definitions for byte number for object size              */
 #define H5F_CRT_OBJ_BYTE_NUM_SIZE     sizeof(uint8_t)
 #define H5F_CRT_OBJ_BYTE_NUM_DEF      H5F_OBJ_SIZE_SIZE
+#define H5F_CRT_OBJ_BYTE_NUM_ENC      H5P__encode_uint8_t
+#define H5F_CRT_OBJ_BYTE_NUM_DEC      H5P__decode_uint8_t
 /* Definitions for version number of the superblock         */
 #define H5F_CRT_SUPER_VERS_SIZE       sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5F_CRT_SUPER_VERS_DEF        HDF5_SUPERBLOCK_VERSION_DEF
 /* Definitions for shared object header messages */
 #define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_NINDEXES_SIZE    sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_NINDEXES_DEF     (0)
+#define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_NINDEXES_ENC     H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_NINDEXES_DEC     H5P__decode_unsigned
 #define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_TYPES_SIZE sizeof(unsigned[H5O_SHMESG_MAX_NINDEXES])
 #define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_TYPES_DEF  {0,0,0,0,0,0}
+#define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_TYPES_ENC  H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_types_enc
+#define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_TYPES_DEC  H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_types_dec
 #define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_MINSIZE_SIZE sizeof(unsigned[H5O_SHMESG_MAX_NINDEXES])
 #define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_MINSIZE_DEF {250,250,250,250,250,250}
+#define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_MINSIZE_ENC H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_minsize_enc
+#define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_MINSIZE_DEC H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_minsize_dec
 /* Definitions for shared object header list/btree phase change cutoffs */
 #define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_LIST_MAX_SIZE     sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_LIST_MAX_DEF      (50)
+#define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_LIST_MAX_ENC      H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_LIST_MAX_DEC      H5P__decode_unsigned
 #define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_BTREE_MIN_SIZE    sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_BTREE_MIN_DEF     (40)
+#define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_BTREE_MIN_ENC     H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5F_CRT_SHMSG_BTREE_MIN_DEC     H5P__decode_unsigned
 /* Definitions for file space handling strategy */
 #define H5F_CRT_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_SIZE       sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5F_CRT_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_DEF        H5F_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_DEF
+#define H5F_CRT_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_ENC        H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5F_CRT_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_DEC        H5P__decode_unsigned
 #define H5F_CRT_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_SIZE      sizeof(hsize_t)
 #define H5F_CRT_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_DEF       H5F_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_DEF
+#define H5F_CRT_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_ENC       H5P__encode_hsize_t
+#define H5F_CRT_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_DEC       H5P__decode_hsize_t
 
 
 /******************/
@@ -99,6 +123,14 @@
 /* Property class callbacks */
 static herr_t H5P_fcrt_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass);
 
+/* property callbacks */
+static herr_t H5P__fcrt_btree_rank_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__fcrt_btree_rank_dec(const void **_pp, void *value);
+static herr_t H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_types_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_types_dec(const void **_pp, void *value);
+static herr_t H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_minsize_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_minsize_dec(const void **_pp, void *value);
+
 
 /*********************/
 /* Package Variables */
@@ -130,6 +162,21 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_FCRT[1] = {{
 /* Local Variables */
 /*******************/
 
+/* Property value defaults */
+static const hsize_t H5F_def_userblock_size_g = H5F_CRT_USER_BLOCK_DEF;    /* Default userblock size */
+static const unsigned H5F_def_sym_leaf_k_g = H5F_CRT_SYM_LEAF_DEF;         /* Default size for symbol table leaf nodes */
+static const unsigned H5F_def_btree_k_g[H5B_NUM_BTREE_ID] = H5F_CRT_BTREE_RANK_DEF;    /* Default 'K' values for B-trees in file */
+static const uint8_t H5F_def_sizeof_addr_g = H5F_CRT_ADDR_BYTE_NUM_DEF;     /* Default size of addresses in the file */
+static const uint8_t H5F_def_sizeof_size_g = H5F_CRT_OBJ_BYTE_NUM_DEF;      /* Default size of sizes in the file */
+static const unsigned H5F_def_superblock_ver_g = H5F_CRT_SUPER_VERS_DEF;   /* Default superblock version # */
+static const unsigned H5F_def_num_sohm_indexes_g    = H5F_CRT_SHMSG_NINDEXES_DEF;
+static const unsigned H5F_def_sohm_index_flags_g[H5O_SHMESG_MAX_NINDEXES]    = H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_TYPES_DEF;
+static const unsigned H5F_def_sohm_index_minsizes_g[H5O_SHMESG_MAX_NINDEXES] = H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_MINSIZE_DEF;
+static const unsigned H5F_def_sohm_list_max_g  = H5F_CRT_SHMSG_LIST_MAX_DEF;
+static const unsigned H5F_def_sohm_btree_min_g  = H5F_CRT_SHMSG_BTREE_MIN_DEF;
+static const unsigned H5F_def_file_space_strategy_g = H5F_CRT_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_DEF;
+static const hsize_t H5F_def_free_space_threshold_g = H5F_CRT_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_DEF;
+
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -146,67 +193,80 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_FCRT[1] = {{
 static herr_t
 H5P_fcrt_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass)
 {
-    hsize_t userblock_size = H5F_CRT_USER_BLOCK_DEF;    /* Default userblock size */
-    unsigned sym_leaf_k = H5F_CRT_SYM_LEAF_DEF;         /* Default size for symbol table leaf nodes */
-    unsigned btree_k[H5B_NUM_BTREE_ID] = H5F_CRT_BTREE_RANK_DEF;    /* Default 'K' values for B-trees in file */
-    uint8_t sizeof_addr = H5F_CRT_ADDR_BYTE_NUM_DEF;     /* Default size of addresses in the file */
-    uint8_t sizeof_size = H5F_CRT_OBJ_BYTE_NUM_DEF;      /* Default size of sizes in the file */
-    unsigned superblock_ver = H5F_CRT_SUPER_VERS_DEF;   /* Default superblock version # */
-    unsigned num_sohm_indexes    = H5F_CRT_SHMSG_NINDEXES_DEF;
-    unsigned sohm_index_flags[H5O_SHMESG_MAX_NINDEXES]    = H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_TYPES_DEF;
-    unsigned sohm_index_minsizes[H5O_SHMESG_MAX_NINDEXES] = H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_MINSIZE_DEF;
-    unsigned sohm_list_max  = H5F_CRT_SHMSG_LIST_MAX_DEF;
-    unsigned sohm_btree_min  = H5F_CRT_SHMSG_BTREE_MIN_DEF;
-    unsigned file_space_strategy = H5F_CRT_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_DEF;
-    hsize_t free_space_threshold = H5F_CRT_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_DEF;
     herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
 
     FUNC_ENTER_NOAPI_NOINIT
 
     /* Register the user block size */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_USER_BLOCK_NAME, H5F_CRT_USER_BLOCK_SIZE, &userblock_size, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_USER_BLOCK_NAME, H5F_CRT_USER_BLOCK_SIZE, &H5F_def_userblock_size_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CRT_USER_BLOCK_ENC, H5F_CRT_USER_BLOCK_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the 1/2 rank for symbol table leaf nodes */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_SYM_LEAF_NAME, H5F_CRT_SYM_LEAF_SIZE, &sym_leaf_k, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_SYM_LEAF_NAME, H5F_CRT_SYM_LEAF_SIZE, &H5F_def_sym_leaf_k_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CRT_SYM_LEAF_ENC, H5F_CRT_SYM_LEAF_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the 1/2 rank for btree internal nodes */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_BTREE_RANK_NAME, H5F_CRT_BTREE_RANK_SIZE, btree_k, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_BTREE_RANK_NAME, H5F_CRT_BTREE_RANK_SIZE, H5F_def_btree_k_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CRT_BTREE_RANK_ENC, H5F_CRT_BTREE_RANK_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the byte number for an address */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_ADDR_BYTE_NUM_NAME, H5F_CRT_ADDR_BYTE_NUM_SIZE, &sizeof_addr, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_ADDR_BYTE_NUM_NAME, H5F_CRT_ADDR_BYTE_NUM_SIZE, &H5F_def_sizeof_addr_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CRT_ADDR_BYTE_NUM_ENC, H5F_CRT_ADDR_BYTE_NUM_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the byte number for object size */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_OBJ_BYTE_NUM_NAME, H5F_CRT_OBJ_BYTE_NUM_SIZE, &sizeof_size, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_OBJ_BYTE_NUM_NAME, H5F_CRT_OBJ_BYTE_NUM_SIZE, &H5F_def_sizeof_size_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CRT_OBJ_BYTE_NUM_ENC, H5F_CRT_OBJ_BYTE_NUM_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the superblock version number */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_SUPER_VERS_NAME, H5F_CRT_SUPER_VERS_SIZE, &superblock_ver, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_SUPER_VERS_NAME, H5F_CRT_SUPER_VERS_SIZE, &H5F_def_superblock_ver_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the shared OH message information */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass,H5F_CRT_SHMSG_NINDEXES_NAME, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_NINDEXES_SIZE, &num_sohm_indexes,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_NINDEXES_NAME, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_NINDEXES_SIZE, &H5F_def_num_sohm_indexes_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_NINDEXES_ENC, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_NINDEXES_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass,H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_TYPES_NAME, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_TYPES_SIZE, &sohm_index_flags,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_TYPES_NAME, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_TYPES_SIZE, &H5F_def_sohm_index_flags_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_TYPES_ENC, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_TYPES_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass,H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_MINSIZE_NAME, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_MINSIZE_SIZE, &sohm_index_minsizes,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_MINSIZE_NAME, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_MINSIZE_SIZE, &H5F_def_sohm_index_minsizes_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_MINSIZE_ENC, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_INDEX_MINSIZE_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the shared OH cutoff size information */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass,H5F_CRT_SHMSG_LIST_MAX_NAME, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_LIST_MAX_SIZE, &sohm_list_max,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_LIST_MAX_NAME, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_LIST_MAX_SIZE, &H5F_def_sohm_list_max_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_LIST_MAX_ENC, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_LIST_MAX_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass,H5F_CRT_SHMSG_BTREE_MIN_NAME, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_BTREE_MIN_SIZE, &sohm_btree_min,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL)<0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_BTREE_MIN_NAME, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_BTREE_MIN_SIZE, &H5F_def_sohm_btree_min_g,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_BTREE_MIN_ENC, H5F_CRT_SHMSG_BTREE_MIN_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the file space handling strategy */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_NAME, H5F_CRT_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_SIZE, &file_space_strategy, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_NAME, H5F_CRT_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_SIZE, &H5F_def_file_space_strategy_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CRT_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_ENC, H5F_CRT_FILE_SPACE_STRATEGY_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the free space section threshold */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_NAME, H5F_CRT_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_SIZE, &free_space_threshold, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_CRT_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_NAME, H5F_CRT_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_SIZE, &H5F_def_free_space_threshold_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5F_CRT_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_ENC, H5F_CRT_FREE_SPACE_THRESHOLD_DEC, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
 done:
@@ -615,6 +675,97 @@ done:
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__fcrt_btree_rank_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the index storage
+ *                 btree in file creation property list is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 August 7, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__fcrt_btree_rank_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const unsigned *btree_k = (const unsigned *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(btree_k);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        unsigned u;             /* Local index variable */
+
+        /* Encode the size of an unsigned*/
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)sizeof(unsigned);
+
+        /* Encode all the btree  */
+        for(u = 0 ; u < H5B_NUM_BTREE_ID; u++) {
+            /* Encode the left split value */
+            H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, *(const unsigned *)btree_k)
+            btree_k++;
+        } /* end for */
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Size of type flags values */
+    *size += 1 + (H5B_NUM_BTREE_ID * sizeof(unsigned));
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__fcrt_btree_rank_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__fcrt_btree_rank_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the index storage
+ *                 btree in file creation property list is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 August 7, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__fcrt_btree_rank_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    unsigned *btree_k = (unsigned *)_value;
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    unsigned enc_size;                  /* Size of encoded property */
+    unsigned u;                         /* Local index variable */
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(btree_k);
+
+    /* Decode the size */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    if(enc_size != sizeof(unsigned))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "unsigned value can't be decoded")
+
+    /* Decode all the type flags */
+    for(u = 0 ; u < H5B_NUM_BTREE_ID; u++)
+        H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, btree_k[u])
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__fcrt_btree_rank_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:	H5Pset_shared_mesg_nindexes
  *
  * Purpose:	Set the number of Shared Object Header Message (SOHM)
@@ -814,6 +965,192 @@ done:
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_types_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the shared
+ *                 message indec types in file creation property list
+ *                 is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 August 7, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_types_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const unsigned *type_flags = (const unsigned *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(type_flags);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        unsigned u;             /* Local index variable */
+
+        /* Encode the size of a double*/
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)sizeof(unsigned);
+
+        /* Encode all the type flags */
+        for(u = 0; u < H5O_SHMESG_MAX_NINDEXES; u++) {
+            /* Encode the left split value */
+            H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, *(const unsigned *)type_flags)
+            type_flags++;
+        } /* end for */
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Size of type flags values */
+    *size += 1 + (H5O_SHMESG_MAX_NINDEXES * sizeof(unsigned));
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_types_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_types_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the shared
+ *                 message indec types in file creation property list
+ *                 is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 August 7, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_types_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    unsigned *type_flags = (unsigned *)_value;
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    unsigned enc_size;                  /* Size of encoded property */
+    unsigned u;                         /* Local index variable */
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(type_flags);
+
+    /* Decode the size */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    if(enc_size != sizeof(unsigned))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "unsigned value can't be decoded")
+
+    /* Decode all the type flags */
+    for(u = 0; u < H5O_SHMESG_MAX_NINDEXES; u++)
+        H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, type_flags[u])
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_types_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_minsize_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the shared
+ *                 message index minsize in file creation property list
+ *                 is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 August 7, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_minsize_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const unsigned *minsizes = (const unsigned *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(minsizes);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        unsigned u;             /* Local index variable */
+
+        /* Encode the size of a double*/
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)sizeof(unsigned);
+
+        /* Encode all the minsize values */
+        for(u = 0 ; u < H5O_SHMESG_MAX_NINDEXES; u++) {
+            /* Encode the left split value */
+            H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, *(const unsigned *)minsizes)
+            minsizes++;
+        } /* end for */
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Size of type flags values */
+    *size += 1 + (H5O_SHMESG_MAX_NINDEXES * sizeof(unsigned));
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_minsize_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_minsize_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the shared
+ *                 message indec minsize in file creation property list
+ *                 is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 August 7, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_minsize_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    unsigned *minsizes = (unsigned *)_value;
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    unsigned enc_size;                  /* Size of encoded property */
+    unsigned u;                         /* Local index variable */
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(minsizes);
+
+    /* Decode the size */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    if(enc_size != sizeof(unsigned))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "unsigned value can't be decoded")
+
+    /* Decode all the minsize values */
+    for(u = 0 ; u < H5O_SHMESG_MAX_NINDEXES; u++)
+        H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, minsizes[u])
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__fcrt_shmsg_index_minsize_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:	H5Pset_shared_mesg_phase_change
  *
  * Purpose:	Sets the cutoff values for indexes storing shared object
diff --git a/src/H5Pfmpl.c b/src/H5Pfmpl.c
index 0158bf1..1c4d3f4 100644
--- a/src/H5Pfmpl.c
+++ b/src/H5Pfmpl.c
@@ -93,6 +93,14 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_FMNT[1] = {{
 /*****************************/
 
 
+/*******************/
+/* Local Variables */
+/*******************/
+
+/* Property value defaults */
+static const hbool_t H5F_def_local_g = H5F_MNT_SYM_LOCAL_DEF;      /* Whether symlinks are local to file */
+
+
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:    H5P_fmnt_reg_prop
@@ -108,14 +116,14 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_FMNT[1] = {{
 static herr_t
 H5P_fmnt_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass)
 {
-    hbool_t local = H5F_MNT_SYM_LOCAL_DEF;      /* Whether symlinks are local to file */
     herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;                 /* Return value */
 
     FUNC_ENTER_NOAPI_NOINIT
 
     /* Register property of whether symlinks is local to file */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_MNT_SYM_LOCAL_NAME, H5F_MNT_SYM_LOCAL_SIZE, &local, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
-         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5F_MNT_SYM_LOCAL_NAME, H5F_MNT_SYM_LOCAL_SIZE, &H5F_def_local_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
 done:
     FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
diff --git a/src/H5Pgcpl.c b/src/H5Pgcpl.c
index 394cf8b..0210700 100644
--- a/src/H5Pgcpl.c
+++ b/src/H5Pgcpl.c
@@ -42,6 +42,12 @@
 /* Local Macros */
 /****************/
 
+/* ========= Group Creation properties ============ */
+#define H5G_CRT_GROUP_INFO_ENC    H5P__gcrt_group_info_enc
+#define H5G_CRT_GROUP_INFO_DEC    H5P__gcrt_group_info_dec
+#define H5G_CRT_LINK_INFO_ENC     H5P__gcrt_link_info_enc
+#define H5G_CRT_LINK_INFO_DEC     H5P__gcrt_link_info_dec
+
 
 /******************/
 /* Local Typedefs */
@@ -60,6 +66,12 @@
 /* Property class callbacks */
 static herr_t H5P__gcrt_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass);
 
+/* Property callbacks */
+static herr_t H5P__gcrt_group_info_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__gcrt_group_info_dec(const void **_pp, void *value);
+static herr_t H5P__gcrt_link_info_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__gcrt_link_info_dec(const void **_pp, void *value);
+
 
 /*********************/
 /* Package Variables */
@@ -91,6 +103,10 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_GCRT[1] = {{
 /* Local Variables */
 /*******************/
 
+/* Property value defaults */
+static const H5O_ginfo_t H5G_def_ginfo_g = H5G_CRT_GROUP_INFO_DEF;     /* Default group info settings */
+static const H5O_linfo_t H5G_def_linfo_g = H5G_CRT_LINK_INFO_DEF;      /* Default link info settings */
+
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -107,18 +123,20 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_GCRT[1] = {{
 static herr_t
 H5P__gcrt_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass)
 {
-    H5O_ginfo_t ginfo = H5G_CRT_GROUP_INFO_DEF;     /* Default group info settings */
-    H5O_linfo_t linfo = H5G_CRT_LINK_INFO_DEF;      /* Default link info settings */
     herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
 
     FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
 
     /* Register group info property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5G_CRT_GROUP_INFO_NAME, H5G_CRT_GROUP_INFO_SIZE, &ginfo, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5G_CRT_GROUP_INFO_NAME, H5G_CRT_GROUP_INFO_SIZE, &H5G_def_ginfo_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5G_CRT_GROUP_INFO_ENC, H5G_CRT_GROUP_INFO_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register link info property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5G_CRT_LINK_INFO_NAME, H5G_CRT_LINK_INFO_SIZE, &linfo, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5G_CRT_LINK_INFO_NAME, H5G_CRT_LINK_INFO_SIZE, &H5G_def_linfo_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5G_CRT_LINK_INFO_ENC, H5G_CRT_LINK_INFO_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
 done:
@@ -506,3 +524,176 @@ done:
     FUNC_LEAVE_API(ret_value)
 } /* end H5Pget_link_creation_order() */
 
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__gcrt_group_info_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the group
+ *                 property in the dataset access property list is
+ *                 encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t 
+H5P__gcrt_group_info_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5O_ginfo_t *ginfo = (const H5O_ginfo_t *)value; /* Create local aliases for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        UINT32ENCODE(*pp, ginfo->lheap_size_hint)
+        UINT16ENCODE(*pp, ginfo->max_compact)
+        UINT16ENCODE(*pp, ginfo->min_dense)
+        UINT16ENCODE(*pp, ginfo->est_num_entries)
+        UINT16ENCODE(*pp, ginfo->est_name_len)      
+    } /* end if */
+
+    *size += sizeof(uint16_t) * 4 + sizeof(uint32_t);
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__gcrt_group_info_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__gcrt_group_info_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the group info
+ *                 property in the dataset access property list is
+ *                 decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t 
+H5P__gcrt_group_info_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5O_ginfo_t *ginfo = (H5O_ginfo_t *)_value;     /* Group info settings */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Set property to default value */
+    *ginfo = H5G_def_ginfo_g;
+
+    UINT32DECODE(*pp, ginfo->lheap_size_hint)
+    UINT16DECODE(*pp, ginfo->max_compact)
+    UINT16DECODE(*pp, ginfo->min_dense)
+    UINT16DECODE(*pp, ginfo->est_num_entries)
+    UINT16DECODE(*pp, ginfo->est_name_len)      
+
+    /* Update fields */
+    if(ginfo->max_compact != H5G_CRT_GINFO_MAX_COMPACT || 
+            ginfo->min_dense != H5G_CRT_GINFO_MIN_DENSE)
+        ginfo->store_link_phase_change = TRUE;
+    else
+        ginfo->store_link_phase_change = FALSE;
+
+    if(ginfo->est_num_entries != H5G_CRT_GINFO_EST_NUM_ENTRIES || 
+            ginfo->est_name_len != H5G_CRT_GINFO_EST_NAME_LEN)
+        ginfo->store_est_entry_info = TRUE;
+    else
+        ginfo->store_est_entry_info = FALSE;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__gcrt_group_info_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__gcrt_link_info_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the link
+ *                 property in the dataset access property list is
+ *                 encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t 
+H5P__gcrt_link_info_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5O_linfo_t *linfo = (const H5O_linfo_t *)value; /* Create local aliases for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        unsigned crt_order_flags = 0;
+
+        crt_order_flags |= linfo->track_corder ? H5P_CRT_ORDER_TRACKED : 0;
+        crt_order_flags |= linfo->index_corder ? H5P_CRT_ORDER_INDEXED : 0;
+
+        /* Encode the size of unsigned*/
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)sizeof(unsigned);
+
+        /* Encode the value */
+        H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, crt_order_flags)
+    } /* end if */
+
+    *size += (1 + sizeof(unsigned));
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__gcrt_link_info_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__gcrt_link_info_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the link info
+ *                 property in the dataset access property list is
+ *                 decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t 
+H5P__gcrt_link_info_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5O_linfo_t *linfo = (H5O_linfo_t *)_value;  /* Link info settings */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    unsigned crt_order_flags;
+    unsigned enc_size;
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;                 /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    if(enc_size != sizeof(unsigned))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "unsigned value can't be decoded")
+
+    /* Set property to default value */
+    *linfo = H5G_def_linfo_g;
+
+    H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, crt_order_flags)
+
+    /* Update fields */
+    linfo->track_corder = (hbool_t)((crt_order_flags & H5P_CRT_ORDER_TRACKED) ? TRUE : FALSE);
+    linfo->index_corder = (hbool_t)((crt_order_flags & H5P_CRT_ORDER_INDEXED) ? TRUE : FALSE);
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__gcrt_link_info_dec() */
+
diff --git a/src/H5Pint.c b/src/H5Pint.c
index 57fe001..88c3247 100644
--- a/src/H5Pint.c
+++ b/src/H5Pint.c
@@ -970,7 +970,7 @@ done:
     Internal routine to create a new property
  USAGE
     H5P_genprop_t *H5P_create_prop(name,size,type,value,prp_create,prp_set,
-            prp_get,prp_delete,prp_close)
+                                   prp_get,prp_delete,prp_close, prp_encode, prp_decode)
         const char *name;       IN: Name of property to register
         size_t size;            IN: Size of property in bytes
         H5P_prop_within_t type; IN: Type of object the property will be inserted into
@@ -979,6 +979,8 @@ done:
                                     creation callback
         H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set; IN: Function pointer to property set callback
         H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get; IN: Function pointer to property get callback
+        H5P_prp_encode_func_t prp_encode; IN: Function pointer to property encode
+        H5P_prp_decode_func_t prp_decode; IN: Function pointer to property decode
         H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete; IN: Function pointer to property delete callback
         H5P_prp_copy_func_t prp_copy; IN: Function pointer to property copy callback
         H5P_prp_compare_func_t prp_cmp; IN: Function pointer to property compare callback
@@ -996,9 +998,10 @@ done:
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 static H5P_genprop_t *
 H5P_create_prop(const char *name, size_t size, H5P_prop_within_t type,
-    const void *value,
-    H5P_prp_create_func_t prp_create, H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set,
-    H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get, H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete,
+    const void *value, H5P_prp_create_func_t prp_create,
+    H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set, H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get,
+    H5P_prp_encode_func_t prp_encode, H5P_prp_decode_func_t prp_decode,
+    H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete,
     H5P_prp_copy_func_t prp_copy, H5P_prp_compare_func_t prp_cmp,
     H5P_prp_close_func_t prp_close)
 {
@@ -1034,6 +1037,8 @@ H5P_create_prop(const char *name, size_t size, H5P_prop_within_t type,
     prop->create = prp_create;
     prop->set = prp_set;
     prop->get = prp_get;
+    prop->encode = prp_encode;
+    prop->decode = prp_decode;
     prop->del = prp_delete;
     prop->copy = prp_copy;
     /* Use custom comparison routine if available, otherwise default to memcmp() */
@@ -1782,7 +1787,8 @@ done:
  PURPOSE
     Internal routine to register a new property in a property list class.
  USAGE
-    herr_t H5P_register_real(class, name, size, default, prp_create, prp_set, prp_get, prp_close)
+    herr_t H5P_register_real(class, name, size, default, prp_create, prp_set, 
+                             prp_get, prp_close, prp_encode, prp_decode)
         H5P_genclass_t *class;  IN: Property list class to modify
         const char *name;       IN: Name of property to register
         size_t size;            IN: Size of property in bytes
@@ -1792,6 +1798,8 @@ done:
                                     creation callback
         H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set; IN: Function pointer to property set callback
         H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get; IN: Function pointer to property get callback
+        H5P_prp_encode_func_t prp_encode; IN: Function pointer to property encode
+        H5P_prp_decode_func_t prp_decode; IN: Function pointer to property decode
         H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete; IN: Function pointer to property delete callback
         H5P_prp_copy_func_t prp_copy; IN: Function pointer to property copy callback
         H5P_prp_compare_func_t prp_cmp; IN: Function pointer to property compare callback
@@ -1911,6 +1919,33 @@ done:
     'close' routine returns a negative value, the property list close
     routine returns an error value but the property list is still closed.
 
+        The 'encode' callback is called when a property list with this
+    property is being encoded.  H5P_prp_encode_func_t is defined as:
+        typedef herr_t (*H5P_prp_encode_func_t)(void *f, size_t *size, 
+        void *value, void *plist, uint8_t **buf);
+    where the parameters to the callback function are:
+        void *f;            IN: A fake file structure used to encode.
+        size_t *size;       IN/OUT: The size of the buffer to encode the property.
+        void *value;        IN: The value of the property being encoded.
+        void *plist;        IN: The property list structure.
+        uint8_t **buf;      OUT: The buffer that holds the encoded property;
+    The 'encode' routine returns the size needed to encode the property value
+    if the buffer passed in is NULL or the size is zero. Otherwise it encodes 
+    the property value into binary in buf.
+
+        The 'decode' callback is called when a property list with this
+    property is being decoded.  H5P_prp_encode_func_t is defined as:
+        typedef herr_t (*H5P_prp_encode_func_t)(void *f, size_t *size, 
+        void *value, void *plist, uint8_t **buf);
+    where the parameters to the callback function are:
+        void *f;            IN: A fake file structure used to decode.
+        size_t *size;       IN: UNUSED
+        void *value;        IN: UNUSED
+        void *plist;        IN: The property list structure.
+        uint8_t **buf;      IN: The buffer that holds the binary encoded property;
+    The 'decode' routine decodes the binary buffer passed in and transforms it into
+    corresponding property values that are set in the property list passed in.
+
  GLOBAL VARIABLES
  COMMENTS, BUGS, ASSUMPTIONS
         The 'set' callback function may be useful to range check the value being
@@ -1932,8 +1967,10 @@ done:
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 herr_t
 H5P_register_real(H5P_genclass_t *pclass, const char *name, size_t size,
-    const void *def_value, H5P_prp_create_func_t prp_create, H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set,
-    H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get, H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete,
+    const void *def_value, H5P_prp_create_func_t prp_create,
+    H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set, H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get,
+    H5P_prp_encode_func_t prp_encode, H5P_prp_decode_func_t prp_decode,
+    H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete,
     H5P_prp_copy_func_t prp_copy, H5P_prp_compare_func_t prp_cmp,
     H5P_prp_close_func_t prp_close)
 {
@@ -1953,7 +1990,9 @@ H5P_register_real(H5P_genclass_t *pclass, const char *name, size_t size,
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_EXISTS, FAIL, "property already exists")
 
     /* Create property object from parameters */
-    if(NULL == (new_prop = H5P_create_prop(name, size, H5P_PROP_WITHIN_CLASS, def_value, prp_create, prp_set, prp_get, prp_delete, prp_copy, prp_cmp, prp_close)))
+    if(NULL == (new_prop = H5P_create_prop(name, size, H5P_PROP_WITHIN_CLASS, 
+            def_value, prp_create, prp_set, prp_get, prp_encode, prp_decode,
+            prp_delete, prp_copy, prp_cmp, prp_close)))
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTCREATE, FAIL,"Can't create property")
 
     /* Insert property into property list class */
@@ -1991,6 +2030,8 @@ done:
                                     creation callback
         H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set; IN: Function pointer to property set callback
         H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get; IN: Function pointer to property get callback
+        H5P_prp_encode_func_t prp_encode; IN: Function pointer to property encode
+        H5P_prp_decode_func_t prp_decode; IN: Function pointer to property decode
         H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete; IN: Function pointer to property delete callback
         H5P_prp_copy_func_t prp_copy; IN: Function pointer to property copy callback
         H5P_prp_compare_func_t prp_cmp; IN: Function pointer to property compare callback
@@ -2056,6 +2097,33 @@ done:
     negative value, the property value is returned and the property list get
     routine returns an error value.
 
+        The 'encode' callback is called when a property list with this
+    property is being encoded.  H5P_prp_encode_func_t is defined as:
+        typedef herr_t (*H5P_prp_encode_func_t)(void *f, size_t *size, 
+        void *value, void *plist, uint8_t **buf);
+    where the parameters to the callback function are:
+        void *f;            IN: A fake file structure used to encode.
+        size_t *size;       IN/OUT: The size of the buffer to encode the property.
+        void *value;        IN: The value of the property being encoded.
+        void *plist;        IN: The property list structure.
+        uint8_t **buf;      OUT: The buffer that holds the encoded property;
+    The 'encode' routine returns the size needed to encode the property value
+    if the buffer passed in is NULL or the size is zero. Otherwise it encodes 
+    the property value into binary in buf.
+
+        The 'decode' callback is called when a property list with this
+    property is being decoded.  H5P_prp_encode_func_t is defined as:
+        typedef herr_t (*H5P_prp_encode_func_t)(void *f, size_t *size, 
+        void *value, void *plist, uint8_t **buf);
+    where the parameters to the callback function are:
+        void *f;            IN: A fake file structure used to decode.
+        size_t *size;       IN: UNUSED
+        void *value;        IN: UNUSED
+        void *plist;        IN: The property list structure.
+        uint8_t **buf;      IN: The buffer that holds the binary encoded property;
+    The 'decode' routine decodes the binary buffer passed in and transforms it into
+    corresponding property values that are set in the property list passed in.
+
         The 'delete' callback is called when a property is deleted from a
     property list.  H5P_prp_del_func_t is defined as:
         typedef herr_t (*H5P_prp_del_func_t)(hid_t prop_id, const char *name,
@@ -2131,8 +2199,10 @@ done:
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 herr_t
 H5P_register(H5P_genclass_t **ppclass, const char *name, size_t size,
-    const void *def_value, H5P_prp_create_func_t prp_create, H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set,
-    H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get, H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete,
+    const void *def_value, H5P_prp_create_func_t prp_create,
+    H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set, H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get,
+    H5P_prp_encode_func_t prp_encode, H5P_prp_decode_func_t prp_decode,
+    H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete,
     H5P_prp_copy_func_t prp_copy, H5P_prp_compare_func_t prp_cmp,
     H5P_prp_close_func_t prp_close)
 {
@@ -2186,7 +2256,8 @@ H5P_register(H5P_genclass_t **ppclass, const char *name, size_t size,
     } /* end if */
 
     /* Really register the property in the class */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, name, size, def_value, prp_create, prp_set, prp_get, prp_delete, prp_copy, prp_cmp, prp_close) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, name, size, def_value, prp_create, prp_set, prp_get, 
+            prp_encode, prp_decode, prp_delete, prp_copy, prp_cmp, prp_close) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTCREATE, FAIL, "can't register property")
 
     /* Update pointer to pointer to class, if a new one was generated */
@@ -2208,13 +2279,16 @@ done:
  PURPOSE
     Internal routine to insert a new property in a property list.
  USAGE
-    herr_t H5P_insert(plist, name, size, value, prp_set, prp_get, prp_close)
+    herr_t H5P_insert(plist, name, size, value, prp_set, prp_get, prp_close, 
+                      prp_encode, prp_decode)
         H5P_genplist_t *plist;  IN: Property list to add property to
         const char *name;       IN: Name of property to add
         size_t size;            IN: Size of property in bytes
         void *value;            IN: Pointer to the value for the property
         H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set; IN: Function pointer to property set callback
         H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get; IN: Function pointer to property get callback
+        H5P_prp_encode_func_t prp_encode; IN: Function pointer to property encode
+        H5P_prp_decode_func_t prp_decode; IN: Function pointer to property decode
         H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete; IN: Function pointer to property delete callback
         H5P_prp_copy_func_t prp_copy; IN: Function pointer to property copy callback
         H5P_prp_compare_func_t prp_cmp; IN: Function pointer to property compare callback
@@ -2264,6 +2338,33 @@ done:
     negative value, the property value is returned and the property list get
     routine returns an error value.
 
+        The 'encode' callback is called when a property list with this
+    property is being encoded.  H5P_prp_encode_func_t is defined as:
+        typedef herr_t (*H5P_prp_encode_func_t)(void *f, size_t *size, 
+        void *value, void *plist, uint8_t **buf);
+    where the parameters to the callback function are:
+        void *f;            IN: A fake file structure used to encode.
+        size_t *size;       IN/OUT: The size of the buffer to encode the property.
+        void *value;        IN: The value of the property being encoded.
+        void *plist;        IN: The property list structure.
+        uint8_t **buf;      OUT: The buffer that holds the encoded property;
+    The 'encode' routine returns the size needed to encode the property value
+    if the buffer passed in is NULL or the size is zero. Otherwise it encodes 
+    the property value into binary in buf.
+
+        The 'decode' callback is called when a property list with this
+    property is being decoded.  H5P_prp_encode_func_t is defined as:
+        typedef herr_t (*H5P_prp_encode_func_t)(void *f, size_t *size, 
+        void *value, void *plist, uint8_t **buf);
+    where the parameters to the callback function are:
+        void *f;            IN: A fake file structure used to decode.
+        size_t *size;       IN: UNUSED
+        void *value;        IN: UNUSED
+        void *plist;        IN: The property list structure.
+        uint8_t **buf;      IN: The buffer that holds the binary encoded property;
+    The 'decode' routine decodes the binary buffer passed in and transforms it into
+    corresponding property values that are set in the property list passed in.
+
         The 'delete' callback is called when a property is deleted from a
     property list.  H5P_prp_del_func_t is defined as:
         typedef herr_t (*H5P_prp_del_func_t)(hid_t prop_id, const char *name,
@@ -2344,6 +2445,7 @@ done:
 herr_t
 H5P_insert(H5P_genplist_t *plist, const char *name, size_t size,
     void *value, H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set, H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get,
+    H5P_prp_encode_func_t prp_encode, H5P_prp_decode_func_t prp_decode,
     H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete, H5P_prp_copy_func_t prp_copy,
     H5P_prp_compare_func_t prp_cmp, H5P_prp_close_func_t prp_close)
 {
@@ -2391,7 +2493,9 @@ H5P_insert(H5P_genplist_t *plist, const char *name, size_t size,
     /* Ok to add to property list */
 
     /* Create property object from parameters */
-    if(NULL == (new_prop = H5P_create_prop(name, size, H5P_PROP_WITHIN_LIST, value, NULL, prp_set, prp_get, prp_delete, prp_copy, prp_cmp, prp_close)))
+    if(NULL == (new_prop = H5P_create_prop(name, size, H5P_PROP_WITHIN_LIST, value, NULL, 
+            prp_set, prp_get, prp_encode, prp_decode, prp_delete, prp_copy, 
+            prp_cmp, prp_close)))
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTCREATE, FAIL, "Can't create property")
 
     /* Insert property into property list class */
@@ -2950,6 +3054,16 @@ H5P_cmp_prop(const H5P_genprop_t *prop1, const H5P_genprop_t *prop2)
     if(prop1->get != NULL && prop2->get == NULL) HGOTO_DONE(1);
     if(prop1->get != prop2->get) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
 
+    /* Check if they both have the same 'encode' callback */
+    if(prop1->encode == NULL && prop2->encode != NULL) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(prop1->encode != NULL && prop2->encode == NULL) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+    if(prop1->encode != prop2->encode) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+
+    /* Check if they both have the same 'decode' callback */
+    if(prop1->decode == NULL && prop2->decode != NULL) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+    if(prop1->decode != NULL && prop2->decode == NULL) HGOTO_DONE(1);
+    if(prop1->decode != prop2->decode) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
+
     /* Check if they both have the same 'delete' callback */
     if(prop1->del == NULL && prop2->del != NULL) HGOTO_DONE(-1);
     if(prop1->del != NULL && prop2->del == NULL) HGOTO_DONE(1);
@@ -4270,7 +4384,7 @@ H5P_copy_prop_plist(hid_t dst_id, hid_t src_id, const char *name)
 
         /* Create property object from parameters */
         if(NULL == (new_prop = H5P_create_prop(prop->name, prop->size, H5P_PROP_WITHIN_LIST, prop->value,
-                prop->create, prop->set, prop->get,
+                prop->create, prop->set, prop->get, prop->encode, prop->decode,
                 prop->del, prop->copy, prop->cmp, prop->close)))
             HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTCREATE, FAIL,"Can't create property")
 
@@ -4362,7 +4476,7 @@ H5P_copy_prop_pclass(hid_t dst_id, hid_t src_id, const char *name)
     /* Register the property into the destination */
     orig_dst_pclass = dst_pclass;
     if(H5P_register(&dst_pclass, name, prop->size, prop->value, prop->create, prop->set, prop->get,
-            prop->del, prop->copy, prop->cmp, prop->close) < 0)
+            prop->encode, prop->decode, prop->del, prop->copy, prop->cmp, prop->close) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTDELETE, FAIL, "unable to remove property")
 
     /* Check if the property class changed and needs to be substituted in the ID */
@@ -4871,3 +4985,121 @@ done:
     FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
 }   /* H5P_close_class() */
 
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__new_plist_of_type
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Create a new property list, of a given type
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	ID of new property list
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Thursday, August 2, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+hid_t
+H5P__new_plist_of_type(H5P_plist_type_t type)
+{
+    H5P_genclass_t *pclass;     /* Class of property list to create */
+    hid_t class_id;             /* ID of class to create */
+    hid_t ret_value;            /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDcompile_assert(H5P_TYPE_LINK_ACCESS == (H5P_TYPE_MAX_TYPE - 1));
+    HDassert(type >= H5P_TYPE_USER && type <= H5P_TYPE_LINK_ACCESS);
+
+    /* Check arguments */
+    if(type == H5P_TYPE_USER)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "can't create user property list");
+    if(type == H5P_TYPE_ROOT)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "shouldn't be creating root class property list");
+
+    /* Instantiate a property list of the proper type */
+    switch(type) {
+        case H5P_TYPE_OBJECT_CREATE:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_OBJECT_CREATE_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_FILE_CREATE:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_FILE_CREATE_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_FILE_ACCESS:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_FILE_ACCESS_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_DATASET_CREATE:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_DATASET_CREATE_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_DATASET_ACCESS:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_DATASET_ACCESS_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_DATASET_XFER:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_DATASET_XFER_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_FILE_MOUNT:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_FILE_MOUNT_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_GROUP_CREATE:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_GROUP_CREATE_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_GROUP_ACCESS:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_GROUP_ACCESS_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_DATATYPE_CREATE:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_DATATYPE_CREATE_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_DATATYPE_ACCESS:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_DATATYPE_ACCESS_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_STRING_CREATE:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_STRING_CREATE_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_ATTRIBUTE_CREATE:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_ATTRIBUTE_CREATE_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_OBJECT_COPY:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_OBJECT_COPY_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_LINK_CREATE:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_LINK_CREATE_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_LINK_ACCESS:
+            class_id = H5P_CLS_LINK_ACCESS_g;
+            break;
+
+        case H5P_TYPE_USER:     /* shut compiler warnings up */
+        case H5P_TYPE_ROOT:
+        case H5P_TYPE_MAX_TYPE:
+        default:
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADRANGE, FAIL, "invalid property list type: %u\n", (unsigned)type);
+    } /* end switch */
+
+    /* Get the class object */
+    if(NULL == (pclass = (H5P_genclass_t *)H5I_object(class_id)))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADTYPE, FAIL, "not a property class")
+
+    /* Create the new property list */
+    if((ret_value = H5P_create_id(pclass, TRUE)) < 0)
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTCREATE, FAIL, "unable to create property list")
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P__new_plist_of_type() */
+
diff --git a/src/H5Plapl.c b/src/H5Plapl.c
index 0697130..aa02546 100644
--- a/src/H5Plapl.c
+++ b/src/H5Plapl.c
@@ -48,10 +48,15 @@
 /* Definitions for number of soft links to traverse */
 #define H5L_ACS_NLINKS_SIZE        sizeof(size_t)
 #define H5L_ACS_NLINKS_DEF         H5L_NUM_LINKS /*max symlinks to follow per lookup  */
+#define H5L_ACS_NLINKS_ENC         H5P__encode_size_t
+#define H5L_ACS_NLINKS_DEC         H5P__decode_size_t
+
 
 /* Definitions for external link prefix */
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_SIZE        sizeof(char *)
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_DEF         NULL /*default is no prefix */
+#define H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_ENC         H5P_lacc_elink_pref_enc
+#define H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_DEC         H5P_lacc_elink_pref_dec
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_DEL         H5P_lacc_elink_pref_del
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_COPY        H5P_lacc_elink_pref_copy
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_CMP         H5P_lacc_elink_pref_cmp
@@ -60,6 +65,8 @@
 /* Definitions for setting fapl of external link access */
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_SIZE        	sizeof(hid_t)
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_DEF         	H5P_DEFAULT
+#define H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_ENC		H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_enc
+#define H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_DEC         	H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_dec
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_DEL		H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_del
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_COPY        	H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_copy
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_CMP        	H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_cmp
@@ -68,6 +75,8 @@
 /* Definitions for file access flags for external link traversal */
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_FLAGS_SIZE        sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_FLAGS_DEF         H5F_ACC_DEFAULT
+#define H5L_ACS_ELINK_FLAGS_ENC         H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5L_ACS_ELINK_FLAGS_DEC         H5P__decode_unsigned
 
 /* Definitions for callback function for external link traversal */
 #define H5L_ACS_ELINK_CB_SIZE           sizeof(H5L_elink_cb_t)
@@ -92,10 +101,14 @@
 static herr_t H5P_lacc_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass);
 
 /* Property list callbacks */
+static herr_t H5P_lacc_elink_pref_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P_lacc_elink_pref_dec(const void **_pp, void *value);
 static herr_t H5P_lacc_elink_pref_del(hid_t prop_id, const char* name, size_t size, void* value);
 static herr_t H5P_lacc_elink_pref_copy(const char* name, size_t size, void* value);
 static int H5P_lacc_elink_pref_cmp(const void *value1, const void *value2, size_t size);
 static herr_t H5P_lacc_elink_pref_close(const char* name, size_t size, void* value);
+static herr_t H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_dec(const void **_pp, void *value);
 static herr_t H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_del(hid_t prop_id, const char* name, size_t size, void* value);
 static herr_t H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_copy(const char* name, size_t size, void* value);
 static int H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_cmp(const void *value1, const void *value2, size_t size);
@@ -132,6 +145,13 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_LACC[1] = {{
 /* Local Variables */
 /*******************/
 
+/* Property value defaults */
+static const size_t H5L_def_nlinks_g = H5L_ACS_NLINKS_DEF; 	   /* Default number of soft links to traverse */
+static const char *H5L_def_elink_prefix_g = H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_DEF; /* Default external link prefix string */
+static const hid_t H5L_def_fapl_id_g = H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_DEF;    /* Default fapl for external link access */
+static const unsigned H5L_def_elink_flags_g = H5L_ACS_ELINK_FLAGS_DEF; /* Default file access flags for external link traversal */
+static const H5L_elink_cb_t H5L_def_elink_cb_g = H5L_ACS_ELINK_CB_DEF; /* Default external link traversal callback */
+
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -153,34 +173,38 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_LACC[1] = {{
 static herr_t
 H5P_lacc_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass)
 {
-    size_t nlinks = H5L_ACS_NLINKS_DEF; 	   /* Default number of soft links to traverse */
-    char *elink_prefix = H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_DEF; /* Default external link prefix string */
-    hid_t def_fapl_id = H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_DEF;    /* Default fapl for external link access */
-    unsigned elink_flags = H5L_ACS_ELINK_FLAGS_DEF; /* Default file access flags for external link traversal */
-    H5L_elink_cb_t elink_cb = H5L_ACS_ELINK_CB_DEF; /* Default external link traversal callback */
-
     herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         	   /* Return value */
 
     FUNC_ENTER_NOAPI_NOINIT
 
     /* Register property for number of links traversed */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5L_ACS_NLINKS_NAME, H5L_ACS_NLINKS_SIZE, &nlinks, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5L_ACS_NLINKS_NAME, H5L_ACS_NLINKS_SIZE, &H5L_def_nlinks_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5L_ACS_NLINKS_ENC, H5L_ACS_NLINKS_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
          HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register property for external link prefix */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_NAME, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_SIZE, &elink_prefix, NULL, NULL, NULL, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_DEL, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_COPY, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_CMP, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_CLOSE) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_NAME, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_SIZE, &H5L_def_elink_prefix_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_ENC, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_DEC,
+            H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_DEL, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_COPY, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_CMP, H5L_ACS_ELINK_PREFIX_CLOSE) < 0)
          HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register fapl for link access */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_NAME, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_SIZE, &def_fapl_id, NULL, NULL, NULL, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_DEL, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_COPY, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_CMP, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_CLOSE) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_NAME, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_SIZE, &H5L_def_fapl_id_g, 
+             NULL, NULL, NULL, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_ENC, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_DEC,
+             H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_DEL, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_COPY, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_CMP, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FAPL_CLOSE) < 0)
          HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register property for external link file access flags */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FLAGS_NAME, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FLAGS_SIZE, &elink_flags, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FLAGS_NAME, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FLAGS_SIZE, &H5L_def_elink_flags_g, 
+             NULL, NULL, NULL, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FLAGS_ENC, H5L_ACS_ELINK_FLAGS_DEC,
+             NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
          HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register property for external link file traversal callback */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5L_ACS_ELINK_CB_NAME, H5L_ACS_ELINK_CB_SIZE, &elink_cb, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5L_ACS_ELINK_CB_NAME, H5L_ACS_ELINK_CB_SIZE, &H5L_def_elink_cb_g, 
+             NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
          HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
 done:
@@ -188,6 +212,120 @@ done:
 } /* end H5P_lacc_reg_prop() */
 
 
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the elink FAPL
+ *                 property in the dataset access property list is
+ *                 encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Wednesday, August 15, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const hid_t *elink_fapl = (const hid_t *)value;     /* Property to encode */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+    H5P_genplist_t *fapl_plist;         /* Pointer to property list */
+    hbool_t non_default_fapl = FALSE;   /* Whether the FAPL is non-default */
+    size_t enc_size = 0;                /* FAPL's encoded size */
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_NOAPI_NOINIT
+
+    /* Check for non-default FAPL */
+    if(*elink_fapl != H5P_DEFAULT) {
+        if(NULL == (fapl_plist = (H5P_genplist_t *)H5P_object_verify(*elink_fapl, H5P_FILE_ACCESS)))
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "can't get property list")
+        non_default_fapl = TRUE;
+    } /* end if */
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        /* Store whether the FAPL is non-default */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)non_default_fapl;
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* Encode the property list, if non-default */
+    /* (if *pp == NULL, will only compute the size) */
+    if(non_default_fapl) {
+        if(H5P__encode(fapl_plist, TRUE, *pp, &enc_size) < 0)
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTENCODE, FAIL, "can't encode property list")
+        if(*pp)
+            *pp += enc_size;
+    } /* end if */
+
+    *size += (1 + enc_size);      /* Non-default flag, plus encoded property list size */
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the elink FAPL
+ *                 property in the dataset access property list is
+ *                 decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Wednesday, August 15, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    hid_t *elink_fapl = (hid_t *)_value;        /* The elink FAPL value */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    hbool_t non_default_fapl;           /* Whether the FAPL is non-default */
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_NOAPI_NOINIT
+
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(elink_fapl);
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+
+    /* Determine if the FAPL is non-default */
+    non_default_fapl = (hbool_t)*(*pp)++;
+
+    if(non_default_fapl) {
+        H5P_genplist_t *fapl_plist;         /* Pointer to property list */
+        size_t enc_size = 0;                /* Encoded size of property list */
+
+        /* Decode the property list */
+        if((*elink_fapl = H5P__decode(*pp)) < 0)
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTDECODE, FAIL, "can't decode property")
+
+        /* Get the property list object */
+        if(NULL == (fapl_plist = (H5P_genplist_t *)H5P_object_verify(*elink_fapl, H5P_FILE_ACCESS)))
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTGET, FAIL, "can't get property list")
+
+        /* Compute the encoded size of the property list */
+        if(H5P__encode(fapl_plist, TRUE, NULL, &enc_size) < 0)
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTENCODE, FAIL, "can't compute encoded property list size")
+
+        *pp += enc_size;
+    } /* end if */
+    else
+        *elink_fapl = H5P_DEFAULT;
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_dec() */
+
+
 /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:	H5P_lacc_elink_fapl_del
  *
@@ -344,6 +482,119 @@ done:
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P_lacc_elink_pref_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the elink flags
+ *                 property in the dataset access property list is
+ *                 encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P_lacc_elink_pref_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const char *elink_pref = *(const char * const *)value;
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+    size_t len = 0;
+    uint64_t enc_value;
+    unsigned enc_size;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_NOAPI_NOINIT_NOERR
+
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+
+    /* calculate prefix length */
+    if(NULL != elink_pref)
+        len = HDstrlen(elink_pref);
+
+    enc_value = (uint64_t)len;
+    enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        /* encode the length of the prefix */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+        UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+        /* encode the prefix */
+        if(NULL != elink_pref) {
+            HDmemcpy(*(char **)pp, elink_pref, len);
+            *pp += len;
+        } /* end if */
+    } /* end if */
+
+    *size += (1 + enc_size);
+    if(NULL != elink_pref)
+        *size += len;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P_lacc_elink_pref_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P_lacc_elink_pref_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the elink prefix
+ *                 property in the dataset access property list is
+ *                 decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P_lacc_elink_pref_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    char **elink_pref = (char **)_value;
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    size_t len;
+    uint64_t enc_value;                 /* Decoded property value */
+    unsigned enc_size;                  /* Size of encoded property */
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_NOAPI_NOINIT
+
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(elink_pref);
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+
+    /* Decode the size */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+
+    /* Decode the value */
+    UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    len = enc_value;
+
+    if(0 != len) {
+        /* Make a copy of the user's prefix string */
+        if(NULL == (*elink_pref = (char *)H5MM_malloc(len + 1)))
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_RESOURCE, H5E_CANTINIT, FAIL, "memory allocation failed for prefix")
+        HDstrncpy(*elink_pref, *(const char **)pp, len);
+        (*elink_pref)[len] = '\0';
+
+        *pp += len;
+    } /* end if */
+    else
+        *elink_pref = NULL;
+
+done:
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5P_lacc_elink_pref_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:    H5P_lacc_elink_pref_del
  *
  * Purpose:     Frees memory used to store the external link prefix string
diff --git a/src/H5Plcpl.c b/src/H5Plcpl.c
index b327df9..d81d55c 100644
--- a/src/H5Plcpl.c
+++ b/src/H5Plcpl.c
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@
 /* Definitions for create intermediate groups flag */
 #define H5L_CRT_INTERMEDIATE_GROUP_SIZE         sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5L_CRT_INTERMEDIATE_GROUP_DEF          0
-
+#define H5L_CRT_INTERMEDIATE_GROUP_ENC          H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5L_CRT_INTERMEDIATE_GROUP_DEC          H5P__decode_unsigned
 
 /******************/
 /* Local Typedefs */
@@ -98,6 +99,9 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_LCRT[1] = {{
 /* Local Variables */
 /*******************/
 
+/* Property value defaults */
+static const unsigned H5L_def_intmd_group_g = H5L_CRT_INTERMEDIATE_GROUP_DEF;      /* Default setting for creating intermediate groups */
+
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -114,13 +118,14 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_LCRT[1] = {{
 herr_t
 H5P_lcrt_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass)
 {
-    unsigned intmd_group = H5L_CRT_INTERMEDIATE_GROUP_DEF;      /* Default setting for creating intermediate groups */
     herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
 
     FUNC_ENTER_NOAPI(FAIL)
 
     /* Register create intermediate groups property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5L_CRT_INTERMEDIATE_GROUP_NAME, H5L_CRT_INTERMEDIATE_GROUP_SIZE, &intmd_group, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5L_CRT_INTERMEDIATE_GROUP_NAME, H5L_CRT_INTERMEDIATE_GROUP_SIZE, &H5L_def_intmd_group_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5L_CRT_INTERMEDIATE_GROUP_ENC, H5L_CRT_INTERMEDIATE_GROUP_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
 done:
diff --git a/src/H5Pocpl.c b/src/H5Pocpl.c
index 5eba335..d8ddfee 100644
--- a/src/H5Pocpl.c
+++ b/src/H5Pocpl.c
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 #include "H5private.h"		/* Generic Functions			*/
 #include "H5Eprivate.h"		/* Error handling		  	*/
 #include "H5Iprivate.h"		/* IDs			  		*/
+#include "H5MMprivate.h"	/* Memory management			*/
 #include "H5Opkg.h"             /* Object headers			*/
 #include "H5Ppkg.h"		/* Property lists		  	*/
 
@@ -48,12 +49,20 @@
 /* ========= Object Creation properties ============ */
 /* Definitions for the max. # of attributes to store compactly */
 #define H5O_CRT_ATTR_MAX_COMPACT_SIZE   sizeof(unsigned)
+#define H5O_CRT_ATTR_MAX_COMPACT_ENC    H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5O_CRT_ATTR_MAX_COMPACT_DEC    H5P__decode_unsigned
 /* Definitions for the min. # of attributes to store densely */
 #define H5O_CRT_ATTR_MIN_DENSE_SIZE     sizeof(unsigned)
+#define H5O_CRT_ATTR_MIN_DENSE_ENC      H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5O_CRT_ATTR_MIN_DENSE_DEC      H5P__decode_unsigned
 /* Definitions for object header flags */
 #define H5O_CRT_OHDR_FLAGS_SIZE         sizeof(uint8_t)
+#define H5O_CRT_OHDR_FLAGS_ENC          H5P__encode_uint8_t
+#define H5O_CRT_OHDR_FLAGS_DEC          H5P__decode_uint8_t
 /* Definitions for filter pipeline */
 #define H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_SIZE sizeof(H5O_pline_t)
+#define H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_ENC            H5P__ocrt_pipeline_enc
+#define H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_DEC            H5P__ocrt_pipeline_dec
 #define H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_CMP            H5P__ocrt_pipeline_cmp
 
 
@@ -77,6 +86,8 @@ static herr_t H5P__ocrt_copy(hid_t new_plist_t, hid_t old_plist_t, void *copy_da
 static herr_t H5P__ocrt_close(hid_t dxpl_id, void *close_data);
 
 /* Property callbacks */
+static herr_t H5P__ocrt_pipeline_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__ocrt_pipeline_dec(const void **_pp, void *value);
 static int H5P__ocrt_pipeline_cmp(const void *value1, const void *value2, size_t size);
 
 
@@ -111,6 +122,12 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_OCRT[1] = {{
 /* Local Variables */
 /*******************/
 
+/* Property value defaults */
+static const unsigned H5O_def_attr_max_compact_g = H5O_CRT_ATTR_MAX_COMPACT_DEF;   /* Default max. compact attribute storage settings */
+static const unsigned H5O_def_attr_min_dense_g = H5O_CRT_ATTR_MIN_DENSE_DEF;       /* Default min. dense attribute storage settings */
+static const uint8_t H5O_def_ohdr_flags_g = H5O_CRT_OHDR_FLAGS_DEF;        /* Default object header flag settings */
+static const H5O_pline_t H5O_def_pline_g = H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_DEF;           /* Default I/O pipeline setting */
+
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -128,28 +145,32 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_OCRT[1] = {{
 static herr_t
 H5P__ocrt_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass)
 {
-    unsigned attr_max_compact = H5O_CRT_ATTR_MAX_COMPACT_DEF;   /* Default max. compact attribute storage settings */
-    unsigned attr_min_dense = H5O_CRT_ATTR_MIN_DENSE_DEF;       /* Default min. dense attribute storage settings */
-    uint8_t ohdr_flags = H5O_CRT_OHDR_FLAGS_DEF;        /* Default object header flag settings */
-    H5O_pline_t pline = H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_DEF;           /* Default I/O pipeline setting */
     herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
 
     FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
 
     /* Register max. compact attribute storage property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CRT_ATTR_MAX_COMPACT_NAME, H5O_CRT_ATTR_MAX_COMPACT_SIZE, &attr_max_compact, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CRT_ATTR_MAX_COMPACT_NAME, H5O_CRT_ATTR_MAX_COMPACT_SIZE, &H5O_def_attr_max_compact_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5O_CRT_ATTR_MAX_COMPACT_ENC, H5O_CRT_ATTR_MAX_COMPACT_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register min. dense attribute storage property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CRT_ATTR_MIN_DENSE_NAME, H5O_CRT_ATTR_MIN_DENSE_SIZE, &attr_min_dense, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CRT_ATTR_MIN_DENSE_NAME, H5O_CRT_ATTR_MIN_DENSE_SIZE, &H5O_def_attr_min_dense_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5O_CRT_ATTR_MIN_DENSE_ENC, H5O_CRT_ATTR_MIN_DENSE_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register object header flags property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CRT_OHDR_FLAGS_NAME, H5O_CRT_OHDR_FLAGS_SIZE, &ohdr_flags, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CRT_OHDR_FLAGS_NAME, H5O_CRT_OHDR_FLAGS_SIZE, &H5O_def_ohdr_flags_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5O_CRT_OHDR_FLAGS_ENC, H5O_CRT_OHDR_FLAGS_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register the pipeline property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_NAME, H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_SIZE, &pline, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_CMP, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_NAME, H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_SIZE, &H5O_def_pline_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_ENC, H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, H5O_CRT_PIPELINE_CMP, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
 done:
@@ -1330,6 +1351,191 @@ H5P_get_filter(const H5Z_filter_info_t *filter, unsigned int *flags/*out*/,
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__ocrt_pipeline_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the pipeline
+ *                 property in the dataset access property list is
+ *                 decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__ocrt_pipeline_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5O_pline_t *pline = (const H5O_pline_t *)value;
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+    size_t u;           /* Local index variable */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    HDassert(pline);
+    HDassert(size);
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+
+    if(NULL != *pp) {
+        unsigned enc_size;
+        uint64_t enc_value;
+
+        /* Encode size of unsigned */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)sizeof(unsigned);
+
+        /* encode nused value */
+        enc_value = (uint64_t)pline->nused;
+        enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+        UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+        /* encode each pipeline */
+        for(u = 0; u < pline->nused; u++) {
+            unsigned v;         /* Local index variable */
+
+            /* encode filter ID */
+            INT32ENCODE(*pp, pline->filter[u].id)
+
+            /* encode filter flags */
+            H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, pline->filter[u].flags)
+
+            /* encode filter name if it exists */
+            if(NULL != pline->filter[u].name) {
+                /* encode TRUE indicating that it exits */
+                *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)TRUE;
+
+                /* encode filter name */
+                HDmemcpy(*pp, (uint8_t *)(pline->filter[u].name), H5Z_COMMON_NAME_LEN);
+                *pp += H5Z_COMMON_NAME_LEN;
+            } /* end if */
+            else
+                /* encode FALSE indicating that it does not exist */
+                *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)FALSE;
+
+            /* encode cd_nelmts */
+            enc_value = (uint64_t)pline->filter[u].cd_nelmts;
+            enc_size = H5V_limit_enc_size(enc_value);
+            HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+            *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)enc_size;
+            UINT64ENCODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+
+            /* encode all values */
+            for(v = 0; v < pline->filter[u].cd_nelmts; v++)
+                H5_ENCODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, pline->filter[u].cd_values[v])
+        } /* end for */
+    } /* end if */
+
+    /* calculate size required for encoding */
+    *size += 1;
+    *size += (1 + H5V_limit_enc_size((uint64_t)pline->nused));
+    for(u = 0; u < pline->nused; u++) {
+        *size += (sizeof(int32_t) + sizeof(unsigned) + 1);
+        if(NULL != pline->filter[u].name)
+            *size += H5Z_COMMON_NAME_LEN;
+        *size += (1 + H5V_limit_enc_size((uint64_t)pline->filter[u].cd_nelmts));
+        *size += pline->filter[u].cd_nelmts * sizeof(unsigned);
+    } /* end for */
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__ocrt_pipeline_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__ocrt_pipeline_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the pipeline
+ *                 property in the dataset access property list is
+ *                 decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Mohamad Chaarawi
+ *                 Monday, October 10, 2011
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t 
+H5P__ocrt_pipeline_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5O_pline_t *pline = (H5O_pline_t *)_value;   /* Property to set */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    size_t nused;                       /* Number of filters used for pipeline */
+    unsigned enc_size;                  /* Size of encoded value (in bytes) */
+    uint64_t enc_value;                 /* Value to encode */
+    size_t u;                           /* Local index variable */
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    HDcompile_assert(sizeof(size_t) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
+
+    /* Decode the size of size_t */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    if(enc_size != sizeof(unsigned))
+        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_BADVALUE, FAIL, "unsigned value can't be decoded")
+
+    /* decode nused */
+    enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+    HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+    UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+    nused = (size_t)enc_value;
+
+    /* Set property default value */
+    *pline = H5O_def_pline_g;
+
+    for(u = 0; u < nused; u++) {
+        H5Z_filter_info_t filter;       /* Filter info, for pipeline */
+        uint8_t has_name;               /* Flag to indicate whether filter has a name */
+        unsigned v;                     /* Local index variable */
+
+        /* decode filter id */
+        INT32DECODE(*pp, filter.id)
+
+        /* decode filter flags */
+        H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, filter.flags)
+
+        /* decode value indicating if the name is encoded */
+        has_name = *(*pp)++;
+        if(has_name) {
+            /* decode name */
+            filter.name = H5MM_xstrdup((const char *)(*pp));
+            *pp += H5Z_COMMON_NAME_LEN;
+        } /* end if */
+        else
+            filter.name = NULL;
+
+        /* decode num elements */
+        enc_size = *(*pp)++;
+        HDassert(enc_size < 256);
+        UINT64DECODE_VAR(*pp, enc_value, enc_size);
+        filter.cd_nelmts = (size_t)enc_value;
+
+        if(filter.cd_nelmts) {
+            if(NULL == (filter.cd_values = (unsigned *)H5MM_malloc(sizeof(unsigned) * filter.cd_nelmts)))
+                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTALLOC, FAIL, "memory allocation failed for cd_values")
+        } /* end if */
+        else
+            filter.cd_values = NULL;
+
+        /* decode values */
+        for(v = 0; v < filter.cd_nelmts; v++)
+            H5_DECODE_UNSIGNED(*pp, filter.cd_values[v])
+
+        /* Add the filter to the I/O pipeline */
+        if(H5Z_append(pline, filter.id, filter.flags, filter.cd_nelmts, filter.cd_values) < 0)
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLINE, H5E_CANTINIT, FAIL, "unable to add filter to pipeline")
+    } /* end for */
+
+done: 
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* H5P__ocrt_pipeline_dec() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:       H5P__ocrt_pipeline_cmp
  *
  * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever a filter pipeline
diff --git a/src/H5Pocpypl.c b/src/H5Pocpypl.c
index 0ba5625..e5e5f51 100644
--- a/src/H5Pocpypl.c
+++ b/src/H5Pocpypl.c
@@ -49,9 +49,13 @@
 /* Definitions for copy options */
 #define H5O_CPY_OPTION_SIZE			sizeof(unsigned)
 #define H5O_CPY_OPTION_DEF			0
+#define H5O_CPY_OPTION_ENC			H5P__encode_unsigned
+#define H5O_CPY_OPTION_DEC			H5P__decode_unsigned
 /* Definitions for merge committed dtype list */
 #define H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_SIZE        sizeof(char *)
 #define H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_DEF         NULL
+#define H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_ENC         H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_enc
+#define H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_DEC         H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_dec
 #define H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_COPY        H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_copy
 #define H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_CMP         H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_cmp
 #define H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_CLOSE       H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_close
@@ -81,6 +85,8 @@ static H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t *H5P__free_merge_comm_dtype_list(H5O_copy_dty
 static herr_t H5P__ocpy_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass);
 
 /* Property callbacks */
+static herr_t H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_dec(const void **_pp, void *value);
 static herr_t H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_copy(const char* name, size_t size, void* value);
 static int H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_cmp(const void *value1, const void *value2, size_t size);
 static herr_t H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_close(const char* name, size_t size, void* value);
@@ -116,6 +122,11 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_OCPY[1] = {{
 /* Local Variables */
 /*******************/
 
+/* Property value defaults */
+static const unsigned H5O_def_ocpy_option_g = H5O_CPY_OPTION_DEF;  /* Default object copy flags */
+static const H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t *H5O_def_merge_comm_dtype_list_g = H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_DEF; /* Default merge committed dtype list */
+static const H5O_mcdt_cb_info_t H5O_def_mcdt_cb_g = H5O_CPY_MCDT_SEARCH_CB_DEF; /* Default callback before searching the global list of committed datatypes at destination */
+
 /* Declare a free list to manage the H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t struct */
 H5FL_DEFINE(H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t);
 
@@ -135,23 +146,26 @@ H5FL_DEFINE(H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t);
 static herr_t
 H5P__ocpy_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass)
 {
-    unsigned ocpy_option = H5O_CPY_OPTION_DEF;  /* Default object copy flags */
-    H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t *merge_comm_dtype_list = H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_DEF; /* Default merge committed dtype list */
-    H5O_mcdt_cb_info_t mcdt_cb = H5O_CPY_MCDT_SEARCH_CB_DEF; /* Default callback before searching the global list of committed datatypes at destination */
     herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
 
     FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
 
     /* Register copy options property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CPY_OPTION_NAME, H5O_CPY_OPTION_SIZE, &ocpy_option, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CPY_OPTION_NAME, H5O_CPY_OPTION_SIZE, &H5O_def_ocpy_option_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5O_CPY_OPTION_ENC, H5O_CPY_OPTION_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register merge named dtype list property */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_NAME, H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_SIZE, &merge_comm_dtype_list, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_COPY, H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_CMP, H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_CLOSE) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_NAME, H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_SIZE, &H5O_def_merge_comm_dtype_list_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_ENC, H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_DEC,
+            NULL, H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_COPY, H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_CMP, H5O_CPY_MERGE_COMM_DT_LIST_CLOSE) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
     /* Register property for callback when completing the search for a matching named datatype from the named dtype list */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CPY_MCDT_SEARCH_CB_NAME, H5O_CPY_MCDT_SEARCH_CB_SIZE, &mcdt_cb, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    /* (Note: this property should not have an encode/decode callback -QAK) */
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5O_CPY_MCDT_SEARCH_CB_NAME, H5O_CPY_MCDT_SEARCH_CB_SIZE, &H5O_def_mcdt_cb_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
 done:
@@ -189,6 +203,137 @@ H5P__free_merge_comm_dtype_list(H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t *dt_list)
 } /* H5P__free_merge_comm_dtype_list */
 
 
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the common
+ *		   datatype property in the object copy property list is
+ *                 decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 31, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t * const *dt_list_ptr = (const H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t * const *)value;
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+    const H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t *dt_list;         /* Pointer to merge named datatype list */
+    size_t len;                                 /* Length of path component */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    HDassert(dt_list_ptr);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    /* Iterate over merge committed dtype list */
+    dt_list = *dt_list_ptr;
+    while(dt_list) {
+        /* Get length of encoded path */
+        len = HDstrlen(dt_list->path) + 1;
+
+        /* Encode merge committed dtype list */
+        if(*pp) {
+            HDmemcpy(*(char **)pp, dt_list->path, len);
+            *pp += len;
+        } /* end if */
+
+        /* Increment the size of the buffer */
+        *size += len;
+
+        /* Advance to the next node */
+        dt_list = dt_list->next;
+    } /* end while */
+
+    /* Encode the terminator for the string sequence */
+    if(*pp)
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)'\0';
+
+    /* Account for the string sequence terminator */
+    *size += 1;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the common
+ *                 datatype property in the dataset access property list is
+ *                 decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 31, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t 
+H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t **dt_list = (H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t **)_value;        /* Pointer to merge named datatype list */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+    H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t *dt_list_tail = NULL, *tmp_dt_list = NULL; /* temporary merge named datatype lists */
+    size_t len;                         /* Length of path component */
+    herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(dt_list);
+    
+    /* Decode the string sequence */
+    len = HDstrlen(*(const char **)pp);
+    while(len > 0) {
+        /* Create new node & duplicate string */
+        if(NULL == (tmp_dt_list = H5FL_CALLOC(H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t)))
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTALLOC, FAIL, "memory allocation failed")
+        if(NULL == (tmp_dt_list->path = H5MM_strdup(*(const char **)pp)))
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTALLOC, FAIL, "memory allocation failed")
+        *pp += len + 1;
+        HDassert(len == HDstrlen(tmp_dt_list->path));
+
+        /* Add copied node to dtype list */
+        if(dt_list_tail) {
+            dt_list_tail->next = tmp_dt_list;
+            dt_list_tail = tmp_dt_list;
+        } /* end if */
+        else {
+            *dt_list = tmp_dt_list;
+            dt_list_tail = tmp_dt_list;
+        } /* end else */
+        tmp_dt_list = NULL;
+
+        /* Compute length of next string */
+        len = HDstrlen(*(const char **)pp);
+    } /* end while */
+
+    /* Advance past terminator for string sequence */
+    *pp += 1;
+
+done: 
+    if(ret_value < 0) {
+        *dt_list = H5P__free_merge_comm_dtype_list(*dt_list);
+        if(tmp_dt_list) {
+            tmp_dt_list->path = (char *)H5MM_xfree(tmp_dt_list->path);
+            tmp_dt_list = H5FL_FREE(H5O_copy_dtype_merge_list_t, tmp_dt_list);
+        } /* end if */
+    } /* end if */
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_dec() */
+
+
 /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:	H5P__ocpy_merge_comm_dt_list_copy
  *
diff --git a/src/H5Ppkg.h b/src/H5Ppkg.h
index c877d1b..835b766 100644
--- a/src/H5Ppkg.h
+++ b/src/H5Ppkg.h
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ typedef struct H5P_genprop_t {
     H5P_prp_create_func_t create;   /* Function to call when a property is created */
     H5P_prp_set_func_t set; /* Function to call when a property value is set */
     H5P_prp_get_func_t get; /* Function to call when a property value is retrieved */
+    H5P_prp_encode_func_t encode; /* Function to call when a property is encoded */
+    H5P_prp_decode_func_t decode; /* Function to call when a property is decoded */
     H5P_prp_delete_func_t del; /* Function to call when a property is deleted */
     H5P_prp_copy_func_t copy;  /* Function to call when a property is copied */
     H5P_prp_compare_func_t cmp; /* Function to call when a property is compared */
@@ -159,13 +161,17 @@ H5_DLL H5P_genclass_t *H5P_create_class(H5P_genclass_t *par_class,
     H5P_cls_close_func_t cls_close, void *close_data);
 H5_DLL H5P_genclass_t *H5P_copy_pclass(H5P_genclass_t *pclass);
 H5_DLL herr_t H5P_register_real(H5P_genclass_t *pclass, const char *name, size_t size,
-    const void *def_value, H5P_prp_create_func_t prp_create, H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set,
-    H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get, H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete,
+    const void *def_value, H5P_prp_create_func_t prp_create,
+    H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set, H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get,
+    H5P_prp_encode_func_t prp_encode, H5P_prp_decode_func_t prp_decode,
+    H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete,
     H5P_prp_copy_func_t prp_copy, H5P_prp_compare_func_t prp_cmp,
     H5P_prp_close_func_t prp_close);
 H5_DLL herr_t H5P_register(H5P_genclass_t **pclass, const char *name, size_t size,
-    const void *def_value, H5P_prp_create_func_t prp_create, H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set,
-    H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get, H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete,
+    const void *def_value, H5P_prp_create_func_t prp_create,
+    H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set, H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get,
+    H5P_prp_encode_func_t prp_encode, H5P_prp_decode_func_t prp_decode,
+    H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete,
     H5P_prp_copy_func_t prp_copy, H5P_prp_compare_func_t prp_cmp,
     H5P_prp_close_func_t prp_close);
 H5_DLL herr_t H5P_add_prop(H5SL_t *props, H5P_genprop_t *prop);
@@ -195,6 +201,24 @@ H5_DLL herr_t H5P_get_filter(const H5Z_filter_info_t *filter,
     unsigned int *flags, size_t *cd_nelmts, unsigned cd_values[],
     size_t namelen, char name[], unsigned *filter_config);
 H5_DLL H5P_genprop_t *H5P__find_prop_plist(const H5P_genplist_t *plist, const char *name);
+H5_DLL hid_t H5P__new_plist_of_type(H5P_plist_type_t type);
+
+/* Encode/decode routines */
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__encode(const H5P_genplist_t *plist, hbool_t enc_all_prop,
+    void *buf, size_t *nalloc);
+H5_DLL hid_t H5P__decode(const void *buf);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__encode_hsize_t(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__encode_size_t(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__encode_unsigned(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__encode_uint8_t(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__encode_hbool_t(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__encode_double(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__decode_hsize_t(const void **_pp, void *value);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__decode_size_t(const void **_pp, void *value);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__decode_unsigned(const void **_pp, void *value);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__decode_uint8_t(const void **_pp, void *value);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__decode_hbool_t(const void **_pp, void *value);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5P__decode_double(const void **_pp, void *value);
 
 /* Testing functions */
 #ifdef H5P_TESTING
diff --git a/src/H5Pprivate.h b/src/H5Pprivate.h
index c750070..6560064 100644
--- a/src/H5Pprivate.h
+++ b/src/H5Pprivate.h
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ H5_DLL herr_t H5P_get(const H5P_genplist_t *plist, const char *name, void *value
 H5_DLL herr_t H5P_set(H5P_genplist_t *plist, const char *name, const void *value);
 H5_DLL herr_t H5P_insert(H5P_genplist_t *plist, const char *name, size_t size,
     void *value, H5P_prp_set_func_t prp_set, H5P_prp_get_func_t prp_get,
+    H5P_prp_encode_func_t prp_encode, H5P_prp_decode_func_t prp_decode,
     H5P_prp_delete_func_t prp_delete, H5P_prp_copy_func_t prp_copy,
     H5P_prp_compare_func_t prp_cmp, H5P_prp_close_func_t prp_close);
 H5_DLL herr_t H5P_remove(hid_t plist_id, H5P_genplist_t *plist, const char *name);
diff --git a/src/H5Ppublic.h b/src/H5Ppublic.h
index 1085d75..efcba65 100644
--- a/src/H5Ppublic.h
+++ b/src/H5Ppublic.h
@@ -113,6 +113,8 @@ typedef herr_t (*H5P_prp_cb2_t)(hid_t prop_id, const char *name, size_t size, vo
 typedef H5P_prp_cb1_t H5P_prp_create_func_t;
 typedef H5P_prp_cb2_t H5P_prp_set_func_t;
 typedef H5P_prp_cb2_t H5P_prp_get_func_t;
+typedef herr_t (*H5P_prp_encode_func_t)(const void *value, void **buf, size_t *size);
+typedef herr_t (*H5P_prp_decode_func_t)(const void **buf, void *value);
 typedef H5P_prp_cb2_t H5P_prp_delete_func_t;
 typedef H5P_prp_cb1_t H5P_prp_copy_func_t;
 typedef int (*H5P_prp_compare_func_t)(const void *value1, const void *value2, size_t size);
@@ -129,8 +131,7 @@ typedef enum H5D_mpio_actual_chunk_opt_mode_t {
      */
     H5D_MPIO_NO_CHUNK_OPTIMIZATION = 0,
     H5D_MPIO_LINK_CHUNK,
-    H5D_MPIO_MULTI_CHUNK,
-    H5D_MPIO_MULTI_CHUNK_NO_OPT
+    H5D_MPIO_MULTI_CHUNK
 }  H5D_mpio_actual_chunk_opt_mode_t;
 
 typedef enum H5D_mpio_actual_io_mode_t {
@@ -229,6 +230,8 @@ H5_DLL herr_t H5Pinsert2(hid_t plist_id, const char *name, size_t size,
     H5P_prp_compare_func_t prp_cmp, H5P_prp_close_func_t prp_close);
 H5_DLL herr_t H5Pset(hid_t plist_id, const char *name, void *value);
 H5_DLL htri_t H5Pexist(hid_t plist_id, const char *name);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5Pencode(hid_t plist_id, void *buf, size_t *nalloc);
+H5_DLL hid_t  H5Pdecode(const void *buf);
 H5_DLL herr_t H5Pget_size(hid_t id, const char *name, size_t *size);
 H5_DLL herr_t H5Pget_nprops(hid_t id, size_t *nprops);
 H5_DLL hid_t H5Pget_class(hid_t plist_id);
diff --git a/src/H5Pstrcpl.c b/src/H5Pstrcpl.c
index 505e35f..bedacb0 100644
--- a/src/H5Pstrcpl.c
+++ b/src/H5Pstrcpl.c
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@
 /* Definitions for character set encoding property */
 #define H5P_STRCRT_CHAR_ENCODING_SIZE  sizeof(H5T_cset_t)
 #define H5P_STRCRT_CHAR_ENCODING_DEF   H5F_DEFAULT_CSET
+#define H5P_STRCRT_CHAR_ENCODING_ENC   H5P__strcrt_char_encoding_enc
+#define H5P_STRCRT_CHAR_ENCODING_DEC   H5P__strcrt_char_encoding_dec
 
 
 /******************/
@@ -65,6 +67,10 @@
 /* Property class callbacks */
 static herr_t H5P__strcrt_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass);
 
+/* encode & decode callbacks */
+static herr_t H5P__strcrt_char_encoding_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size);
+static herr_t H5P__strcrt_char_encoding_dec(const void **_pp, void *value);
+
 
 /*********************/
 /* Package Variables */
@@ -96,6 +102,9 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_STRCRT[1] = {{
 /* Local Variables */
 /*******************/
 
+/* Property value defaults */
+static const H5T_cset_t H5P_def_char_encoding_g = H5P_STRCRT_CHAR_ENCODING_DEF;  /* Default character set encoding */
+
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -112,13 +121,14 @@ const H5P_libclass_t H5P_CLS_STRCRT[1] = {{
 static herr_t
 H5P__strcrt_reg_prop(H5P_genclass_t *pclass)
 {
-    H5T_cset_t char_encoding = H5P_STRCRT_CHAR_ENCODING_DEF;  /* Default character set encoding */
     herr_t ret_value = SUCCEED;         /* Return value */
 
     FUNC_ENTER_STATIC
 
     /* Register character encoding */
-    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5P_STRCRT_CHAR_ENCODING_NAME, H5P_STRCRT_CHAR_ENCODING_SIZE, &char_encoding, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
+    if(H5P_register_real(pclass, H5P_STRCRT_CHAR_ENCODING_NAME, H5P_STRCRT_CHAR_ENCODING_SIZE, &H5P_def_char_encoding_g, 
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, H5P_STRCRT_CHAR_ENCODING_ENC, H5P_STRCRT_CHAR_ENCODING_DEC,
+            NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL) < 0)
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_PLIST, H5E_CANTINSERT, FAIL, "can't insert property into class")
 
 done:
@@ -196,3 +206,76 @@ done:
     FUNC_LEAVE_API(ret_value)
 } /* end H5Pget_char_encoding() */
 
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__strcrt_char_encoding_enc
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the character
+ *                 set encoding property in the string create property list
+ *                 is encoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 31, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__strcrt_char_encoding_enc(const void *value, void **_pp, size_t *size)
+{
+    const H5T_cset_t *encoding = (const H5T_cset_t *)value; /* Create local alias for values */
+    uint8_t **pp = (uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity check */
+    HDassert(encoding);
+    HDassert(size);
+
+    if(NULL != *pp)
+        /* Encode character set encoding */
+        *(*pp)++ = (uint8_t)*encoding;
+
+    /* Size of character set encoding */
+    (*size)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__strcrt_char_encoding_enc() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:       H5P__strcrt_char_encoding_dec
+ *
+ * Purpose:        Callback routine which is called whenever the character
+ *                 set encoding property in the string create property list
+ *                 is decoded.
+ *
+ * Return:	   Success:	Non-negative
+ *		   Failure:	Negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:     Quincey Koziol
+ *                 Friday, August 31, 2012
+ *
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+static herr_t
+H5P__strcrt_char_encoding_dec(const void **_pp, void *_value)
+{
+    H5T_cset_t *encoding = (H5T_cset_t *)_value;            /* Character set encoding */
+    const uint8_t **pp = (const uint8_t **)_pp;
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_STATIC_NOERR
+
+    /* Sanity checks */
+    HDassert(pp);
+    HDassert(*pp);
+    HDassert(encoding);
+
+    /* Decode character set encoding */
+    *encoding = (H5T_cset_t)*(*pp)++;
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(SUCCEED)
+} /* end H5P__strcrt_char_encoding_dec() */
+
diff --git a/src/H5T.c b/src/H5T.c
index f6514f0..9006b49 100644
--- a/src/H5T.c
+++ b/src/H5T.c
@@ -292,8 +292,6 @@ static herr_t H5T_unregister(H5T_pers_t pers, const char *name, H5T_t *src,
 static herr_t H5T_register(H5T_pers_t pers, const char *name, H5T_t *src,
         H5T_t *dst, H5T_conv_t func, hid_t dxpl_id, hbool_t api_call);
 static htri_t H5T_compiler_conv(H5T_t *src, H5T_t *dst);
-static herr_t H5T_encode(H5T_t *obj, unsigned char *buf, size_t *nalloc);
-static H5T_t *H5T_decode(const unsigned char *buf);
 static herr_t H5T_set_size(H5T_t *dt, size_t size);
 
 
@@ -1062,6 +1060,8 @@ H5T_init_interface(void)
     status |= H5T_register(H5T_PERS_SOFT, "struct(no-opt)", compound, compound, H5T__conv_struct, H5AC_dxpl_id, FALSE);
     status |= H5T_register(H5T_PERS_SOFT, "struct(opt)", compound, compound, H5T__conv_struct_opt, H5AC_dxpl_id, FALSE);
     status |= H5T_register(H5T_PERS_SOFT, "enum", enum_type, enum_type, H5T__conv_enum, H5AC_dxpl_id, FALSE);
+    status |= H5T_register(H5T_PERS_SOFT, "enum_i", enum_type, fixedpt, H5T__conv_enum_numeric, H5AC_dxpl_id, FALSE);
+    status |= H5T_register(H5T_PERS_SOFT, "enum_f", enum_type, floatpt, H5T__conv_enum_numeric, H5AC_dxpl_id, FALSE);
     status |= H5T_register(H5T_PERS_SOFT, "vlen", vlen, vlen, H5T__conv_vlen, H5AC_dxpl_id, FALSE);
     status |= H5T_register(H5T_PERS_SOFT, "array", array, array, H5T__conv_array, H5AC_dxpl_id, FALSE);
     status |= H5T_register(H5T_PERS_SOFT, "objref", objref, objref, H5T__conv_order_opt, H5AC_dxpl_id, FALSE);
@@ -2897,7 +2897,7 @@ done:
  *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
-static herr_t
+herr_t
 H5T_encode(H5T_t *obj, unsigned char *buf, size_t *nalloc)
 {
     size_t      buf_size;               /* Encoded size of datatype */
@@ -2954,7 +2954,7 @@ done:
  *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
-static H5T_t *
+H5T_t *
 H5T_decode(const unsigned char *buf)
 {
     H5F_t       *f = NULL;      /* Fake file structure*/
diff --git a/src/H5Tconv.c b/src/H5Tconv.c
index 983922f..5ecf864 100644
--- a/src/H5Tconv.c
+++ b/src/H5Tconv.c
@@ -2889,6 +2889,86 @@ done:
 
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Function:	H5T__conv_enum_numeric
+ *
+ * Purpose:	Converts enumerated data to a numeric type (integer or 
+ *              floating-point number). This function is registered into 
+ *              the conversion table twice in H5T_init_interface in H5T.c.  
+ *              Once for enum-integer conversion. Once for enum-float conversion.
+ *
+ * Return:	Success:	Non-negative
+ *
+ *		Failure:	negative
+ *
+ * Programmer:	Raymond Lu
+ *              12 October 2012
+ *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+herr_t
+H5T__conv_enum_numeric(hid_t src_id, hid_t dst_id, H5T_cdata_t *cdata, size_t nelmts,
+	      size_t buf_stride, size_t UNUSED bkg_stride, void *_buf,
+              void UNUSED *bkg, hid_t UNUSED dxpl_id)
+{
+    H5T_t	*src, *dst;		/*src and dst datatypes	*/
+    H5T_t	*src_parent;		/*parent type for src           */
+    hid_t       src_parent_id = -1;     /*ID for parent of the source   */
+    H5T_path_t  *tpath;                 /* Conversion information       */
+    herr_t      ret_value = SUCCEED;    /* Return value                 */
+
+    FUNC_ENTER_PACKAGE
+
+    switch(cdata->command) {
+        case H5T_CONV_INIT:
+            /*
+             * Determine if this conversion function applies to the conversion
+             * path SRC_ID->DST_ID.  If not, return failure.
+             */
+            if(NULL == (src = (H5T_t *)H5I_object(src_id)) || NULL == (dst = (H5T_t *)H5I_object(dst_id)))
+                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATATYPE, H5E_BADTYPE, FAIL, "not a datatype")
+            if(H5T_ENUM != src->shared->type)
+                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATATYPE, H5E_BADTYPE, FAIL, "source type is not a H5T_ENUM datatype")
+            if(H5T_INTEGER != dst->shared->type && H5T_FLOAT != dst->shared->type)
+                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATATYPE, H5E_BADTYPE, FAIL, "destination is not an integer type")
+
+            cdata->need_bkg = H5T_BKG_NO;
+            break;
+
+        case H5T_CONV_FREE:
+            break;
+
+        case H5T_CONV_CONV:
+            if(NULL == (src = (H5T_t *)H5I_object(src_id)) || NULL == (dst = (H5T_t *)H5I_object(dst_id)))
+                HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_ARGS, H5E_BADTYPE, FAIL, "not a datatype")
+
+            src_parent = src->shared->parent;
+
+            if(NULL == (tpath = H5T_path_find(src_parent, dst, NULL, NULL, dxpl_id, FALSE))) {
+	        HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATASET, H5E_UNSUPPORTED, FAIL, "unable to convert between src and dest datatype")
+            } else if(!H5T_path_noop(tpath)) {
+                if((src_parent_id = H5I_register(H5I_DATATYPE, H5T_copy(src_parent, H5T_COPY_ALL), FALSE)) < 0) 
+                    HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATASET, H5E_CANTREGISTER, FAIL, "unable to register types for conversion")
+
+                /* Convert the data */
+                if(H5T_convert(tpath, src_parent_id, dst_id, nelmts, buf_stride, bkg_stride, _buf, bkg, dxpl_id) < 0)
+                    HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATATYPE, H5E_CANTINIT, FAIL, "datatype conversion failed")
+            }
+            break;
+
+        default:
+            /* Some other command we don't know about yet.*/
+            HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_DATATYPE, H5E_UNSUPPORTED, FAIL, "unknown conversion command")
+    } /* end switch */
+
+done:
+    /* Release the temporary datatype IDs used */
+    if(src_parent_id >= 0)
+        H5I_dec_ref(src_parent_id);
+
+    FUNC_LEAVE_NOAPI(ret_value)
+} /* end H5T__conv_enum_numeric() */
+
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function:	H5T__conv_vlen
  *
  * Purpose:	Converts between VL datatypes in memory and on disk.
diff --git a/src/H5Tpkg.h b/src/H5Tpkg.h
index b9364d6..8323e15 100644
--- a/src/H5Tpkg.h
+++ b/src/H5Tpkg.h
@@ -544,6 +544,10 @@ H5_DLL herr_t H5T__conv_enum(hid_t src_id, hid_t dst_id, H5T_cdata_t *cdata,
 			    size_t nelmts, size_t buf_stride,
                             size_t bkg_stride, void *buf, void *bkg,
                             hid_t dset_xfer_plist);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5T__conv_enum_numeric(hid_t src_id, hid_t dst_id, H5T_cdata_t *cdata,
+			    size_t nelmts, size_t buf_stride,
+                            size_t bkg_stride, void *buf, void *bkg,
+                            hid_t dset_xfer_plist);
 H5_DLL herr_t H5T__conv_vlen(hid_t src_id, hid_t dst_id, H5T_cdata_t *cdata,
 			    size_t nelmts, size_t buf_stride,
                             size_t bkg_stride, void *buf, void *bkg,
diff --git a/src/H5Tprivate.h b/src/H5Tprivate.h
index 345924c..558afaf 100644
--- a/src/H5Tprivate.h
+++ b/src/H5Tprivate.h
@@ -114,6 +114,8 @@ H5_DLL H5T_class_t H5T_get_class(const H5T_t *dt, htri_t internal);
 H5_DLL htri_t H5T_detect_class(const H5T_t *dt, H5T_class_t cls, hbool_t from_api);
 H5_DLL size_t H5T_get_size(const H5T_t *dt);
 H5_DLL int    H5T_cmp(const H5T_t *dt1, const H5T_t *dt2, hbool_t superset);
+H5_DLL herr_t H5T_encode(H5T_t *obj, unsigned char *buf, size_t *nalloc);
+H5_DLL H5T_t *H5T_decode(const unsigned char *buf);
 H5_DLL herr_t H5T_debug(const H5T_t *dt, FILE * stream);
 H5_DLL struct H5O_loc_t *H5T_oloc(H5T_t *dt);
 H5_DLL H5G_name_t *H5T_nameof(H5T_t *dt);
diff --git a/src/H5detect.c b/src/H5detect.c
index 87a4fd5..d6f6a3b 100644
--- a/src/H5detect.c
+++ b/src/H5detect.c
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ static void print_results(int nd, detected_t *d, int na, malign_t *m);
 static void iprint(detected_t *);
 static int byte_cmp(int, const void *, const void *);
 static int bit_cmp(int, int *, volatile void *, volatile void *);
-static void fix_order(int, int, int, int *, const char **);
+static void fix_order(int, int, int *, const char **);
 static int imp_bit(int, int *, volatile void *, volatile void *);
 static unsigned long find_bias(int, int, int *, void *);
 static void precision (detected_t*);
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ precision (detected_t *d)
 #define DETECT_F(TYPE,VAR,INFO) {					      \
    volatile TYPE _v1, _v2, _v3;						      \
    unsigned char _buf1[sizeof(TYPE)], _buf3[sizeof(TYPE)];		      \
-   int _i, _j, _first = (-1), _last = (-1);				      \
+   int _i, _j, _last = (-1);						      \
    char *_mesg;								      \
 									      \
    memset(&INFO, 0, sizeof(INFO));					      \
@@ -315,15 +315,11 @@ precision (detected_t *d)
       memcpy(_buf3, (const void *)&_v3, sizeof(TYPE));			      \
       _j = byte_cmp(sizeof(TYPE), &_buf3, &_buf1);			      \
       if(_j >= 0) {							      \
-	 if(0 == _i || INFO.perm[_i - 1] != _j) {			      \
-	    INFO.perm[_i] = _j;						      \
-	    _last = _i;							      \
-	    if(_first < 0)						      \
-                _first = _i;						      \
-	 }								      \
+          INFO.perm[_i] = _j;						      \
+          _last = _i;							      \
       }									      \
    }									      \
-   fix_order(sizeof(TYPE), _first, _last, INFO.perm, (const char**)&_mesg);   \
+   fix_order(sizeof(TYPE), _last, INFO.perm, (const char**)&_mesg);	      \
                                                                               \
    if(!strcmp(_mesg, "VAX"))                                                  \
       INFO.is_vax = TRUE;                                                     \
@@ -973,11 +969,11 @@ bit_cmp(int nbytes, int *perm, volatile void *_a, volatile void *_b)
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 static void
-fix_order(int n, int first, int last, int *perm, const char **mesg)
+fix_order(int n, int last, int *perm, const char **mesg)
 {
     int		i;
 
-    if (first + 1 < last) {
+    if (last > 1) {
 	/*
 	 * We have at least three points to consider.
 	 */
@@ -998,6 +994,9 @@ fix_order(int n, int first, int last, int *perm, const char **mesg)
 	} else {
 	    /*
 	     * Bi-endian machines like VAX.
+             * (NOTE: This is not an actual determination of the VAX-endianess.
+             *          It could have some other endianess and fall into this
+             *          case - JKM & QAK)
 	     */
 	    assert(0 == n % 2);
 	    if (mesg) *mesg = "VAX";
diff --git a/src/H5err.txt b/src/H5err.txt
index b4cb28b..ab3277f 100644
--- a/src/H5err.txt
+++ b/src/H5err.txt
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
 MAJOR, H5E_ARGS, Invalid arguments to routine
 MAJOR, H5E_RESOURCE, Resource unavailable
 MAJOR, H5E_INTERNAL, Internal error (too specific to document in detail)
-MAJOR, H5E_FILE, File accessability
+MAJOR, H5E_FILE, File accessibilty
 MAJOR, H5E_IO, Low-level I/O
 MAJOR, H5E_FUNC, Function entry/exit
 MAJOR, H5E_ATOM, Object atom
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ MAJOR, H5E_NONE_MAJOR, No error
 # Sections (for grouping minor errors)
 SECTION, ARGS, Argument errors
 SECTION, RESOURCE, Resource errors
-SECTION, FILEACC, File accessability errors
+SECTION, FILEACC, File accessibilty errors
 SECTION, FILE, Generic low-level file I/O errors
 SECTION, FUNC, Function entry/exit interface errors
 SECTION, ATOM, Object atom related errors
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ MINOR, RESOURCE, H5E_CANTGC, Unable to garbage collect
 MINOR, RESOURCE, H5E_CANTGETSIZE, Unable to compute size
 MINOR, RESOURCE, H5E_OBJOPEN, Object is already open
 
-# File accessability errors
+# File accessibilty errors
 MINOR, FILEACC, H5E_FILEEXISTS, File already exists
 MINOR, FILEACC, H5E_FILEOPEN, File already open
 MINOR, FILEACC, H5E_CANTCREATE, Unable to create file
diff --git a/src/H5public.h b/src/H5public.h
index fcba406..54cd0b6 100644
--- a/src/H5public.h
+++ b/src/H5public.h
@@ -75,10 +75,10 @@ extern "C" {
 /* Version numbers */
 #define H5_VERS_MAJOR	1	/* For major interface/format changes  	     */
 #define H5_VERS_MINOR	9	/* For minor interface/format changes  	     */
-#define H5_VERS_RELEASE	131	/* For tweaks, bug-fixes, or development     */
+#define H5_VERS_RELEASE	137	/* For tweaks, bug-fixes, or development     */
 #define H5_VERS_SUBRELEASE "FA_a5"	/* For pre-releases like snap0       */
 				/* Empty string for real releases.           */
-#define H5_VERS_INFO    "HDF5 library version: 1.9.131-FA_a5"      /* Full version string */
+#define H5_VERS_INFO    "HDF5 library version: 1.9.137-FA_a5"      /* Full version string */
 
 #define H5check()	H5check_version(H5_VERS_MAJOR,H5_VERS_MINOR,	      \
 				        H5_VERS_RELEASE)
diff --git a/src/H5trace.c b/src/H5trace.c
index 2dab8ec..92736d4 100644
--- a/src/H5trace.c
+++ b/src/H5trace.c
@@ -612,10 +612,6 @@ H5_trace(const double *returning, const char *func, const char *type, ...)
                                     fprintf(out, "H5D_MPIO_MULTI_CHUNK");
                                     break;
 
-                                case H5D_MPIO_MULTI_CHUNK_NO_OPT:
-                                    fprintf(out, "H5D_MPIO_MULTI_CHUNK_NO_OPT");
-                                    break;
-
                                 default:
                                     fprintf(out, "%ld", (long)chunk_opt_mode);
                                     break;
diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index c426581..4ec1015 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -90,7 +90,8 @@ libhdf5_la_SOURCES= H5.c H5checksum.c H5dbg.c H5system.c H5timer.c H5trace.c \
         H5Ostorage.c \
         H5Otest.c H5Ounknown.c \
         H5P.c H5Pacpl.c H5Pdapl.c H5Pdcpl.c \
-        H5Pdeprec.c H5Pdxpl.c H5Pfapl.c H5Pfcpl.c H5Pfmpl.c \
+        H5Pdeprec.c H5Pdxpl.c H5Pencdec.c \
+        H5Pfapl.c H5Pfcpl.c H5Pfmpl.c \
         H5Pgcpl.c H5Pint.c \
         H5Plapl.c H5Plcpl.c H5Pocpl.c H5Pocpypl.c H5Pstrcpl.c H5Ptest.c \
         H5R.c H5Rdeprec.c \
diff --git a/src/Makefile.in b/src/Makefile.in
index 0b4f0b2..1393026 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.in
+++ b/src/Makefile.in
@@ -161,10 +161,10 @@ am_libhdf5_la_OBJECTS = H5.lo H5checksum.lo H5dbg.lo H5system.lo \
 	H5Orefcount.lo H5Osdspace.lo H5Oshared.lo H5Oshmesg.lo \
 	H5Ostab.lo H5Ostorage.lo H5Otest.lo H5Ounknown.lo H5P.lo \
 	H5Pacpl.lo H5Pdapl.lo H5Pdcpl.lo H5Pdeprec.lo H5Pdxpl.lo \
-	H5Pfapl.lo H5Pfcpl.lo H5Pfmpl.lo H5Pgcpl.lo H5Pint.lo \
-	H5Plapl.lo H5Plcpl.lo H5Pocpl.lo H5Pocpypl.lo H5Pstrcpl.lo \
-	H5Ptest.lo H5R.lo H5Rdeprec.lo H5RC.lo H5RS.lo H5S.lo \
-	H5Sall.lo H5Sdbg.lo H5Shyper.lo H5Smpio.lo H5Snone.lo \
+	H5Pencdec.lo H5Pfapl.lo H5Pfcpl.lo H5Pfmpl.lo H5Pgcpl.lo \
+	H5Pint.lo H5Plapl.lo H5Plcpl.lo H5Pocpl.lo H5Pocpypl.lo \
+	H5Pstrcpl.lo H5Ptest.lo H5R.lo H5Rdeprec.lo H5RC.lo H5RS.lo \
+	H5S.lo H5Sall.lo H5Sdbg.lo H5Shyper.lo H5Smpio.lo H5Snone.lo \
 	H5Spoint.lo H5Sselect.lo H5Stest.lo H5SL.lo H5SM.lo \
 	H5SMbtree2.lo H5SMcache.lo H5SMmessage.lo H5SMtest.lo H5ST.lo \
 	H5T.lo H5Tarray.lo H5Tbit.lo H5Tcommit.lo H5Tcompound.lo \
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ CHECK_CLEANFILES = *.chkexe *.chklog *.clog
 # Add libtool shared library version numbers to the HDF5 library
 # See libtool versioning documentation online.
 LT_VERS_INTERFACE = 6
-LT_VERS_REVISION = 121
+LT_VERS_REVISION = 127
 LT_VERS_AGE = 0
 H5detect_CFLAGS = -g $(AM_CFLAGS)
 
@@ -590,7 +590,8 @@ libhdf5_la_SOURCES = H5.c H5checksum.c H5dbg.c H5system.c H5timer.c H5trace.c \
         H5Ostorage.c \
         H5Otest.c H5Ounknown.c \
         H5P.c H5Pacpl.c H5Pdapl.c H5Pdcpl.c \
-        H5Pdeprec.c H5Pdxpl.c H5Pfapl.c H5Pfcpl.c H5Pfmpl.c \
+        H5Pdeprec.c H5Pdxpl.c H5Pencdec.c \
+        H5Pfapl.c H5Pfcpl.c H5Pfmpl.c \
         H5Pgcpl.c H5Pint.c \
         H5Plapl.c H5Plcpl.c H5Pocpl.c H5Pocpypl.c H5Pstrcpl.c H5Ptest.c \
         H5R.c H5Rdeprec.c \
@@ -959,6 +960,7 @@ distclean-compile:
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5Pdcpl.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5Pdeprec.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5Pdxpl.Plo@am__quote@
+@AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5Pencdec.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5Pfapl.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5Pfcpl.Plo@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/H5Pfmpl.Plo@am__quote@