[svn-r22807] Description:

	Add encode/decode API routines for property lists: H5Pencode/H5Pdecode.

Tested on:
        FreeBSD/32 8.2 (loyalty) w/gcc4.6, w/C++ & FORTRAN, in debug mode
        FreeBSD/64 8.2 (freedom) w/gcc4.6, w/C++ & FORTRAN, in debug mode
        Linux/32 2.6 (jam) w/PGI compilers, w/default API=1.8.x,
                w/C++ & FORTRAN, w/threadsafe, in debug mode
        Linux/64-amd64 2.6 (koala) w/Intel compilers, w/default API=1.6.x,
                w/C++ & FORTRAN, in production mode
        Solaris/32 2.10 (linew) w/deprecated symbols disabled, w/C++ & FORTRAN,
                w/szip filter, w/threadsafe, in production mode
        Linux/PPC 2.6 (ostrich) w/C++ & FORTRAN, w/threadsafe, in debug mode
        Linux/64-ia64 2.6 (ember) w/Intel compilers, w/parallel, C++ & FORTRAN,
                in production mode
        Mac OS X/32 10.7.3 (amazon) in debug mode
        Mac OS X/32 10.7.3 (amazon) w/C++ & FORTRAN, w/threadsafe,
                in production mode
        Mac OS X/32 10.7.3 (amazon) w/parallel, in debug mode

30 files changed, 1128 insertions, 24 deletions

diff --git a/test/Makefile.am b/test/Makefile.am
index cb56d52..fd40ad6 100644
--- a/test/Makefile.am
+++ b/test/Makefile.am
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ TEST_PROG= testhdf5 lheap ohdr stab gheap cache cache_api cache_tagging \
            pool accum hyperslab istore bittests dt_arith \
            dtypes dsets cmpd_dset filter_fail extend external efc objcopy links unlink \
            big mtime fillval mount flush1 flush2 app_ref enum \
-           set_extent ttsafe \
+           set_extent ttsafe enc_dec_plist enc_dec_plist_with_endianess\
            getname vfd ntypes dangle dtransform reserved cross_read \
            freespace mf farray earray btree2 fheap file_image
 
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ check_PROGRAMS=$(TEST_PROG) error_test err_compat tcheck_version testmeta links_
 BUILD_ALL_PROGS=gen_bad_ohdr gen_bogus gen_cross gen_deflate gen_filters gen_new_array \
     gen_new_fill gen_new_group gen_new_mtime gen_new_super gen_noencoder \
     gen_nullspace gen_udlinks space_overflow gen_filespace gen_specmetaread \
-    gen_sizes_lheap gen_file_image
+    gen_sizes_lheap gen_file_image gen_plist
 
 if BUILD_ALL_CONDITIONAL
   noinst_PROGRAMS=$(BUILD_ALL_PROGS)
diff --git a/test/Makefile.in b/test/Makefile.in
index 6d15c55..6f39794 100644
--- a/test/Makefile.in
+++ b/test/Makefile.in
@@ -108,11 +108,12 @@ am__EXEEXT_1 = testhdf5$(EXEEXT) lheap$(EXEEXT) ohdr$(EXEEXT) \
 	unlink$(EXEEXT) big$(EXEEXT) mtime$(EXEEXT) fillval$(EXEEXT) \
 	mount$(EXEEXT) flush1$(EXEEXT) flush2$(EXEEXT) \
 	app_ref$(EXEEXT) enum$(EXEEXT) set_extent$(EXEEXT) \
-	ttsafe$(EXEEXT) getname$(EXEEXT) vfd$(EXEEXT) ntypes$(EXEEXT) \
-	dangle$(EXEEXT) dtransform$(EXEEXT) reserved$(EXEEXT) \
-	cross_read$(EXEEXT) freespace$(EXEEXT) mf$(EXEEXT) \
-	farray$(EXEEXT) earray$(EXEEXT) btree2$(EXEEXT) fheap$(EXEEXT) \
-	file_image$(EXEEXT)
+	ttsafe$(EXEEXT) enc_dec_plist$(EXEEXT) \
+	enc_dec_plist_with_endianess$(EXEEXT) getname$(EXEEXT) \
+	vfd$(EXEEXT) ntypes$(EXEEXT) dangle$(EXEEXT) \
+	dtransform$(EXEEXT) reserved$(EXEEXT) cross_read$(EXEEXT) \
+	freespace$(EXEEXT) mf$(EXEEXT) farray$(EXEEXT) earray$(EXEEXT) \
+	btree2$(EXEEXT) fheap$(EXEEXT) file_image$(EXEEXT)
 am__EXEEXT_2 = gen_bad_ohdr$(EXEEXT) gen_bogus$(EXEEXT) \
 	gen_cross$(EXEEXT) gen_deflate$(EXEEXT) gen_filters$(EXEEXT) \
 	gen_new_array$(EXEEXT) gen_new_fill$(EXEEXT) \
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@ am__EXEEXT_2 = gen_bad_ohdr$(EXEEXT) gen_bogus$(EXEEXT) \
 	gen_nullspace$(EXEEXT) gen_udlinks$(EXEEXT) \
 	space_overflow$(EXEEXT) gen_filespace$(EXEEXT) \
 	gen_specmetaread$(EXEEXT) gen_sizes_lheap$(EXEEXT) \
-	gen_file_image$(EXEEXT)
+	gen_file_image$(EXEEXT) gen_plist$(EXEEXT)
 PROGRAMS = $(noinst_PROGRAMS)
 accum_SOURCES = accum.c
 accum_OBJECTS = accum.$(OBJEXT)
@@ -191,6 +192,15 @@ efc_SOURCES = efc.c
 efc_OBJECTS = efc.$(OBJEXT)
 efc_LDADD = $(LDADD)
 efc_DEPENDENCIES = libh5test.la $(LIBHDF5)
+enc_dec_plist_SOURCES = enc_dec_plist.c
+enc_dec_plist_OBJECTS = enc_dec_plist.$(OBJEXT)
+enc_dec_plist_LDADD = $(LDADD)
+enc_dec_plist_DEPENDENCIES = libh5test.la $(LIBHDF5)
+enc_dec_plist_with_endianess_SOURCES = enc_dec_plist_with_endianess.c
+enc_dec_plist_with_endianess_OBJECTS =  \
+	enc_dec_plist_with_endianess.$(OBJEXT)
+enc_dec_plist_with_endianess_LDADD = $(LDADD)
+enc_dec_plist_with_endianess_DEPENDENCIES = libh5test.la $(LIBHDF5)
 enum_SOURCES = enum.c
 enum_OBJECTS = enum.$(OBJEXT)
 enum_LDADD = $(LDADD)
@@ -299,6 +309,10 @@ gen_nullspace_SOURCES = gen_nullspace.c
 gen_nullspace_OBJECTS = gen_nullspace.$(OBJEXT)
 gen_nullspace_LDADD = $(LDADD)
 gen_nullspace_DEPENDENCIES = libh5test.la $(LIBHDF5)
+gen_plist_SOURCES = gen_plist.c
+gen_plist_OBJECTS = gen_plist.$(OBJEXT)
+gen_plist_LDADD = $(LDADD)
+gen_plist_DEPENDENCIES = libh5test.la $(LIBHDF5)
 gen_sizes_lheap_SOURCES = gen_sizes_lheap.c
 gen_sizes_lheap_OBJECTS = gen_sizes_lheap.$(OBJEXT)
 gen_sizes_lheap_LDADD = $(LDADD)
@@ -454,28 +468,30 @@ am__v_CCLD_1 =
 SOURCES = $(libh5test_la_SOURCES) accum.c app_ref.c big.c bittests.c \
 	btree2.c cache.c cache_api.c cache_tagging.c cmpd_dset.c \
 	cross_read.c dangle.c dsets.c dt_arith.c dtransform.c dtypes.c \
-	earray.c efc.c enum.c err_compat.c error_test.c extend.c \
-	external.c farray.c fheap.c file_image.c fillval.c \
-	filter_fail.c flush1.c flush2.c freespace.c gen_bad_ohdr.c \
-	gen_bogus.c gen_cross.c gen_deflate.c gen_file_image.c \
-	gen_filespace.c gen_filters.c gen_new_array.c gen_new_fill.c \
-	gen_new_group.c gen_new_mtime.c gen_new_super.c \
-	gen_noencoder.c gen_nullspace.c gen_sizes_lheap.c \
-	gen_specmetaread.c gen_udlinks.c getname.c gheap.c hyperslab.c \
-	istore.c lheap.c links.c links_env.c mf.c mount.c mtime.c \
-	ntypes.c objcopy.c ohdr.c pool.c reserved.c set_extent.c \
-	space_overflow.c stab.c tcheck_version.c $(testhdf5_SOURCES) \
-	testmeta.c $(ttsafe_SOURCES) unlink.c vfd.c
+	earray.c efc.c enc_dec_plist.c enc_dec_plist_with_endianess.c \
+	enum.c err_compat.c error_test.c extend.c external.c farray.c \
+	fheap.c file_image.c fillval.c filter_fail.c flush1.c flush2.c \
+	freespace.c gen_bad_ohdr.c gen_bogus.c gen_cross.c \
+	gen_deflate.c gen_file_image.c gen_filespace.c gen_filters.c \
+	gen_new_array.c gen_new_fill.c gen_new_group.c gen_new_mtime.c \
+	gen_new_super.c gen_noencoder.c gen_nullspace.c gen_plist.c \
+	gen_sizes_lheap.c gen_specmetaread.c gen_udlinks.c getname.c \
+	gheap.c hyperslab.c istore.c lheap.c links.c links_env.c mf.c \
+	mount.c mtime.c ntypes.c objcopy.c ohdr.c pool.c reserved.c \
+	set_extent.c space_overflow.c stab.c tcheck_version.c \
+	$(testhdf5_SOURCES) testmeta.c $(ttsafe_SOURCES) unlink.c \
+	vfd.c
 DIST_SOURCES = $(libh5test_la_SOURCES) accum.c app_ref.c big.c \
 	bittests.c btree2.c cache.c cache_api.c cache_tagging.c \
 	cmpd_dset.c cross_read.c dangle.c dsets.c dt_arith.c \
-	dtransform.c dtypes.c earray.c efc.c enum.c err_compat.c \
+	dtransform.c dtypes.c earray.c efc.c enc_dec_plist.c \
+	enc_dec_plist_with_endianess.c enum.c err_compat.c \
 	error_test.c extend.c external.c farray.c fheap.c file_image.c \
 	fillval.c filter_fail.c flush1.c flush2.c freespace.c \
 	gen_bad_ohdr.c gen_bogus.c gen_cross.c gen_deflate.c \
 	gen_file_image.c gen_filespace.c gen_filters.c gen_new_array.c \
 	gen_new_fill.c gen_new_group.c gen_new_mtime.c gen_new_super.c \
-	gen_noencoder.c gen_nullspace.c gen_sizes_lheap.c \
+	gen_noencoder.c gen_nullspace.c gen_plist.c gen_sizes_lheap.c \
 	gen_specmetaread.c gen_udlinks.c getname.c gheap.c hyperslab.c \
 	istore.c lheap.c links.c links_env.c mf.c mount.c mtime.c \
 	ntypes.c objcopy.c ohdr.c pool.c reserved.c set_extent.c \
@@ -820,7 +836,7 @@ TEST_PROG = testhdf5 lheap ohdr stab gheap cache cache_api cache_tagging \
            pool accum hyperslab istore bittests dt_arith \
            dtypes dsets cmpd_dset filter_fail extend external efc objcopy links unlink \
            big mtime fillval mount flush1 flush2 app_ref enum \
-           set_extent ttsafe \
+           set_extent ttsafe enc_dec_plist enc_dec_plist_with_endianess\
            getname vfd ntypes dangle dtransform reserved cross_read \
            freespace mf farray earray btree2 fheap file_image
 
@@ -835,7 +851,7 @@ TEST_PROG = testhdf5 lheap ohdr stab gheap cache cache_api cache_tagging \
 BUILD_ALL_PROGS = gen_bad_ohdr gen_bogus gen_cross gen_deflate gen_filters gen_new_array \
     gen_new_fill gen_new_group gen_new_mtime gen_new_super gen_noencoder \
     gen_nullspace gen_udlinks space_overflow gen_filespace gen_specmetaread \
-    gen_sizes_lheap gen_file_image
+    gen_sizes_lheap gen_file_image gen_plist
 
 
 # The libh5test library provides common support code for the tests.
@@ -1008,6 +1024,12 @@ earray$(EXEEXT): $(earray_OBJECTS) $(earray_DEPENDENCIES) $(EXTRA_earray_DEPENDE
 efc$(EXEEXT): $(efc_OBJECTS) $(efc_DEPENDENCIES) $(EXTRA_efc_DEPENDENCIES) 
 	@rm -f efc$(EXEEXT)
 	$(AM_V_CCLD)$(LINK) $(efc_OBJECTS) $(efc_LDADD) $(LIBS)
+enc_dec_plist$(EXEEXT): $(enc_dec_plist_OBJECTS) $(enc_dec_plist_DEPENDENCIES) $(EXTRA_enc_dec_plist_DEPENDENCIES) 
+	@rm -f enc_dec_plist$(EXEEXT)
+	$(AM_V_CCLD)$(LINK) $(enc_dec_plist_OBJECTS) $(enc_dec_plist_LDADD) $(LIBS)
+enc_dec_plist_with_endianess$(EXEEXT): $(enc_dec_plist_with_endianess_OBJECTS) $(enc_dec_plist_with_endianess_DEPENDENCIES) $(EXTRA_enc_dec_plist_with_endianess_DEPENDENCIES) 
+	@rm -f enc_dec_plist_with_endianess$(EXEEXT)
+	$(AM_V_CCLD)$(LINK) $(enc_dec_plist_with_endianess_OBJECTS) $(enc_dec_plist_with_endianess_LDADD) $(LIBS)
 enum$(EXEEXT): $(enum_OBJECTS) $(enum_DEPENDENCIES) $(EXTRA_enum_DEPENDENCIES) 
 	@rm -f enum$(EXEEXT)
 	$(AM_V_CCLD)$(LINK) $(enum_OBJECTS) $(enum_LDADD) $(LIBS)
@@ -1089,6 +1111,9 @@ gen_noencoder$(EXEEXT): $(gen_noencoder_OBJECTS) $(gen_noencoder_DEPENDENCIES) $
 gen_nullspace$(EXEEXT): $(gen_nullspace_OBJECTS) $(gen_nullspace_DEPENDENCIES) $(EXTRA_gen_nullspace_DEPENDENCIES) 
 	@rm -f gen_nullspace$(EXEEXT)
 	$(AM_V_CCLD)$(LINK) $(gen_nullspace_OBJECTS) $(gen_nullspace_LDADD) $(LIBS)
+gen_plist$(EXEEXT): $(gen_plist_OBJECTS) $(gen_plist_DEPENDENCIES) $(EXTRA_gen_plist_DEPENDENCIES) 
+	@rm -f gen_plist$(EXEEXT)
+	$(AM_V_CCLD)$(LINK) $(gen_plist_OBJECTS) $(gen_plist_LDADD) $(LIBS)
 gen_sizes_lheap$(EXEEXT): $(gen_sizes_lheap_OBJECTS) $(gen_sizes_lheap_DEPENDENCIES) $(EXTRA_gen_sizes_lheap_DEPENDENCIES) 
 	@rm -f gen_sizes_lheap$(EXEEXT)
 	$(AM_V_CCLD)$(LINK) $(gen_sizes_lheap_OBJECTS) $(gen_sizes_lheap_LDADD) $(LIBS)
@@ -1195,6 +1220,8 @@ distclean-compile:
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/dtypes.Po@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/earray.Po@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/efc.Po@am__quote@
+@AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/enc_dec_plist.Po@am__quote@
+@AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/enc_dec_plist_with_endianess.Po@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/enum.Po@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/err_compat.Po@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/error_test.Po@am__quote@
@@ -1222,6 +1249,7 @@ distclean-compile:
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/gen_new_super.Po@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/gen_noencoder.Po@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/gen_nullspace.Po@am__quote@
+@AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/gen_plist.Po@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/gen_sizes_lheap.Po@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/gen_specmetaread.Po@am__quote@
 @AMDEP_TRUE@@am__include@ @am__quote@./$(DEPDIR)/gen_udlinks.Po@am__quote@
diff --git a/test/enc_dec_plist.c b/test/enc_dec_plist.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..26bfb84
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/enc_dec_plist.c
@@ -0,0 +1,480 @@
+/* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
+ * 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.     *
+ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
+
+/*
+ * Serial tests for encoding/decoding plists
+ */
+
+#include "h5test.h"
+#include "H5Pprivate.h"
+
+static int
+test_encode_decode(hid_t orig_pl)
+{
+    hid_t pl = (-1);	       	/* Decoded property list */
+    void *temp_buf = NULL;      /* Pointer to encoding buffer */
+    size_t temp_size = 0;       /* Size of encoding buffer */
+
+    /* first call to encode returns only the size of the buffer needed */
+    if(H5Pencode(orig_pl, NULL, &temp_size) < 0)
+        STACK_ERROR
+
+    if(NULL == (temp_buf = (void *)HDmalloc(temp_size)))
+        TEST_ERROR
+
+    if(H5Pencode(orig_pl, temp_buf, &temp_size) < 0)
+        STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((pl = H5Pdecode(temp_buf)) < 0)
+        STACK_ERROR
+
+    if(!H5Pequal(orig_pl, pl))
+        PUTS_ERROR("encoding-decoding cycle failed\n")
+
+    if((H5Pclose(pl)) < 0)
+        STACK_ERROR
+
+    HDfree(temp_buf);
+
+    /* Success */
+    return(0);
+
+error:
+    if(pl > 0)
+        H5Pclose(pl);
+    if(temp_buf)
+        HDfree(temp_buf);
+
+    return(-1);
+} /* end test_encode_decode() */
+
+int
+main(void)
+{
+    hid_t dcpl;	       	/* dataset create prop. list */
+    hid_t dapl;	       	/* dataset access prop. list */
+    hid_t dxpl;	       	/* dataset xfer prop. list */
+    hid_t gcpl;	       	/* group create prop. list */
+    hid_t ocpypl;	/* object copy prop. list */
+    hid_t ocpl;	        /* object create prop. list */
+    hid_t lcpl;	       	/* link create prop. list */
+    hid_t lapl;	       	/* link access prop. list */
+    hid_t fapl;	       	/* file access prop. list */
+    hid_t fcpl;	       	/* file create prop. list */
+    hid_t strcpl;	/* string create prop. list */
+    hid_t acpl;	       	/* attribute create prop. list */
+
+    hsize_t chunk_size[2] = {16384, 4};	/* chunk size */ 
+    double fill = 2.7f;         /* Fill value */
+    hsize_t max_size[1];        /* data space maximum size */
+    size_t nslots = 521 * 2;
+    size_t nbytes = 1048576 * 10;
+    double w0 = 0.5f;
+    unsigned max_compact;
+    unsigned min_dense;
+    const char* c_to_f = "x+32";
+    H5AC_cache_config_t my_cache_config = {
+        H5AC__CURR_CACHE_CONFIG_VERSION,
+        TRUE,
+        FALSE,
+        FALSE,
+        "temp",
+        TRUE,
+        FALSE,
+        ( 2 * 2048 * 1024),
+        0.3f,
+        (64 * 1024 * 1024),
+        (4 * 1024 * 1024),
+        60000,
+        H5C_incr__threshold,
+        0.8f,
+        3.0f,
+        TRUE,
+        (8 * 1024 * 1024),
+        H5C_flash_incr__add_space,
+        2.0f,
+        0.25f,
+        H5C_decr__age_out_with_threshold,
+        0.997f,
+        0.8f,
+        TRUE,
+        (3 * 1024 * 1024),
+        3,
+        FALSE,
+        0.2f,
+        (256 * 2048),
+        H5AC__DEFAULT_METADATA_WRITE_STRATEGY};
+
+    if(VERBOSE_MED)
+	printf("Encode/Decode DCPLs\n");
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE DCPLS *****/
+    TESTING("DCPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if((dcpl = H5Pcreate(H5P_DATASET_CREATE)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_chunk(dcpl, 2, &chunk_size)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_alloc_time(dcpl, H5D_ALLOC_TIME_LATE)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_fill_value(dcpl, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, &fill)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    max_size[0] = 100;
+    if((H5Pset_external(dcpl, "ext1.data", (off_t)0, 
+                         (hsize_t)(max_size[0] * sizeof(int)/4))) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_external(dcpl, "ext2.data", (off_t)0, 
+                         (hsize_t)(max_size[0] * sizeof(int)/4))) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_external(dcpl, "ext3.data", (off_t)0, 
+                         (hsize_t)(max_size[0] * sizeof(int)/4))) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_external(dcpl, "ext4.data", (off_t)0, 
+                         (hsize_t)(max_size[0] * sizeof(int)/4))) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Test encoding & decoding property list */
+    if(test_encode_decode(dcpl) < 0)
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("DCPL encoding/decoding failed\n")
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((H5Pclose(dcpl)) < 0)
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    PASSED();
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE DAPLS *****/
+    TESTING("DAPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if((dapl = H5Pcreate(H5P_DATASET_ACCESS)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_chunk_cache(dapl, nslots, nbytes, w0)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Test encoding & decoding property list */
+    if(test_encode_decode(dapl) < 0)
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("DAPL encoding/decoding failed\n")
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((H5Pclose(dapl)) < 0)
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    PASSED();
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE OCPLS *****/
+    TESTING("OCPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if((ocpl = H5Pcreate(H5P_OBJECT_CREATE)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_attr_creation_order(ocpl, (H5P_CRT_ORDER_TRACKED | H5P_CRT_ORDER_INDEXED))) < 0)
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_attr_phase_change (ocpl, 110, 105)) < 0)
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_filter (ocpl, H5Z_FILTER_FLETCHER32, 0, (size_t)0, NULL)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Test encoding & decoding property list */
+    if(test_encode_decode(ocpl) < 0)
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("OCPL encoding/decoding failed\n")
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((H5Pclose(ocpl)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    PASSED();
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE DXPLS *****/
+    TESTING("DXPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if((dxpl = H5Pcreate(H5P_DATASET_XFER)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_btree_ratios(dxpl, 0.2f, 0.6f, 0.2f)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_hyper_vector_size(dxpl, 5)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+#ifdef H5_HAVE_PARALLEL
+    if((H5Pset_dxpl_mpio(dxpl, H5FD_MPIO_COLLECTIVE)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_dxpl_mpio_collective_opt(dxpl, H5FD_MPIO_INDIVIDUAL_IO)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_dxpl_mpio_chunk_opt(dxpl, H5FD_MPIO_CHUNK_MULTI_IO)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_dxpl_mpio_chunk_opt_ratio(dxpl, 30)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_dxpl_mpio_chunk_opt_num(dxpl, 40)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+#endif/* H5_HAVE_PARALLEL */
+    if((H5Pset_edc_check(dxpl, H5Z_DISABLE_EDC)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_data_transform(dxpl, c_to_f)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Test encoding & decoding property list */
+    if(test_encode_decode(dxpl) < 0)
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("DXPL encoding/decoding failed\n")
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((H5Pclose(dxpl)) < 0)
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    PASSED();
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE GCPLS *****/
+    TESTING("GCPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if((gcpl = H5Pcreate(H5P_GROUP_CREATE)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_local_heap_size_hint(gcpl, 256)) < 0)
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_link_phase_change(gcpl, 2, 2)) < 0)
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Query the group creation properties */
+    if((H5Pget_link_phase_change(gcpl, &max_compact, &min_dense)) < 0)
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_est_link_info(gcpl, 3, 9)) < 0)
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_link_creation_order(gcpl, (H5P_CRT_ORDER_TRACKED | H5P_CRT_ORDER_INDEXED))) < 0)
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Test encoding & decoding property list */
+    if(test_encode_decode(gcpl) < 0)
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("GCPL encoding/decoding failed\n")
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((H5Pclose(gcpl)) < 0)
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    PASSED();
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE LCPLS *****/
+    TESTING("LCPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if((lcpl = H5Pcreate(H5P_LINK_CREATE)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_create_intermediate_group(lcpl, TRUE)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Test encoding & decoding property list */
+    if(test_encode_decode(lcpl) < 0)
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("LCPL encoding/decoding failed\n")
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((H5Pclose(lcpl)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    PASSED();
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE LAPLS *****/
+    TESTING("LAPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if((lapl = H5Pcreate(H5P_LINK_ACCESS)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_nlinks(lapl, (size_t)134)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_elink_acc_flags(lapl, H5F_ACC_RDONLY)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_elink_prefix(lapl, "/tmpasodiasod")) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Create FAPL for the elink FAPL */
+    if((fapl = H5Pcreate(H5P_FILE_ACCESS)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_alignment(fapl, 2, 1024)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_elink_fapl(lapl, fapl)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Close the elink's FAPL */
+    if((H5Pclose(fapl)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Test encoding & decoding property list */
+    if(test_encode_decode(lapl) < 0)
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("LAPL encoding/decoding failed\n")
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((H5Pclose(lapl)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    PASSED();
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE OCPYPLS *****/
+    TESTING("OCPYPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if((ocpypl = H5Pcreate(H5P_OBJECT_COPY)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_copy_object(ocpypl, H5O_COPY_EXPAND_EXT_LINK_FLAG)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Padd_merge_committed_dtype_path(ocpypl, "foo")) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Padd_merge_committed_dtype_path(ocpypl, "bar")) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Test encoding & decoding property list */
+    if(test_encode_decode(ocpypl) < 0)
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("OCPYPL encoding/decoding failed\n")
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((H5Pclose(ocpypl)) < 0)
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    PASSED();
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE FAPLS *****/
+    TESTING("FAPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if((fapl = H5Pcreate(H5P_FILE_ACCESS)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_family_offset(fapl, 1024)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_meta_block_size(fapl, 2098452)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_sieve_buf_size(fapl, 1048576)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_alignment(fapl, 2, 1024)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_cache(fapl, 1024, 128, 10485760, 0.3f)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_elink_file_cache_size(fapl, 10485760)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_gc_references(fapl, 1)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_small_data_block_size(fapl, 2048)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_libver_bounds(fapl, H5F_LIBVER_LATEST, H5F_LIBVER_LATEST)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_fclose_degree(fapl, H5F_CLOSE_WEAK)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_multi_type(fapl, H5FD_MEM_GHEAP)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pset_mdc_config(fapl, &my_cache_config)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Test encoding & decoding property list */
+    if(test_encode_decode(fapl) < 0)
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("FAPL encoding/decoding failed\n")
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((H5Pclose(fapl)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    PASSED();
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE FCPLS *****/
+    TESTING("FCPL Encoding/Decoding");
+
+    if((fcpl = H5Pcreate(H5P_FILE_CREATE)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_userblock(fcpl, 1024) < 0))
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_istore_k(fcpl, 3) < 0))
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_sym_k(fcpl, 4, 5) < 0))
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_shared_mesg_nindexes(fcpl, 8) < 0))
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_shared_mesg_index(fcpl, 1,  H5O_SHMESG_SDSPACE_FLAG, 32) < 0))
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+   if((H5Pset_shared_mesg_phase_change(fcpl, 60, 20) < 0))
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_sizes(fcpl, 8, 4) < 0))
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Test encoding & decoding property list */
+    if(test_encode_decode(fcpl) < 0)
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("FCPL encoding/decoding failed\n")
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((H5Pclose(fcpl)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    PASSED();
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE STRCPLS *****/
+    TESTING("STRCPL Encoding/Decoding");
+
+    if((strcpl = H5Pcreate(H5P_STRING_CREATE)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_char_encoding(strcpl, H5T_CSET_UTF8) < 0))
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Test encoding & decoding property list */
+    if(test_encode_decode(strcpl) < 0)
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("STRCPL encoding/decoding failed\n")
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((H5Pclose(strcpl)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    PASSED();
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE ACPLS *****/
+    TESTING("ACPL Encoding/Decoding");
+
+    if((acpl = H5Pcreate(H5P_ATTRIBUTE_CREATE)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if((H5Pset_char_encoding(acpl, H5T_CSET_UTF8) < 0))
+         FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    /* Test encoding & decoding property list */
+    if(test_encode_decode(acpl) < 0)
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("ACPL encoding/decoding failed\n")
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((H5Pclose(acpl)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    PASSED();
+
+
+    return 0;
+
+error:
+    printf("***** Plist Encode/Decode tests FAILED! *****\n");
+    return 1;
+}
+
diff --git a/test/enc_dec_plist_with_endianess.c b/test/enc_dec_plist_with_endianess.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4469604
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/enc_dec_plist_with_endianess.c
@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+/* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
+ * 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.     *
+ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
+
+/*
+ * Serial tests for encoding/decoding plists
+ */
+
+#include "h5test.h"
+#include "H5srcdir.h"
+
+static int test_plists(const char *filename1, const char *filename2);
+
+int
+main(void)
+{
+    if(VERBOSE_MED)
+	printf("Encode/Decode property list endianess\n");
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE DCPLS *****/
+    TESTING("DCPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if(test_plists("testfiles/plist_files/dcpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/dcpl_be") < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    PASSED();
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE DAPLS *****/
+    TESTING("DAPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if(test_plists("testfiles/plist_files/dapl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/dapl_be") < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    PASSED();
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE DXPLS *****/
+    TESTING("DXPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if(test_plists("testfiles/plist_files/dxpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/dxpl_be") < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    PASSED();
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE GCPLS *****/
+    TESTING("GCPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if(test_plists("testfiles/plist_files/gcpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/gcpl_be") < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    PASSED();
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE LCPLS *****/
+    TESTING("LCPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if(test_plists("testfiles/plist_files/lcpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/lcpl_be") < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    PASSED();
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE LAPLS *****/
+    TESTING("LAPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if(test_plists("testfiles/plist_files/lapl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/lapl_be") < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    PASSED();
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE OCPLS *****/
+    TESTING("OCPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if(test_plists("testfiles/plist_files/ocpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/ocpl_be") < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    PASSED();
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE OCPYPLS *****/
+    TESTING("OCPYPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if(test_plists("testfiles/plist_files/ocpypl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/ocpypl_be") < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    PASSED();
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE FCPLS *****/
+    TESTING("FCPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if(test_plists("testfiles/plist_files/fcpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/fcpl_be") < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    PASSED();
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE FAPLS *****/
+    TESTING("FAPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if(test_plists("testfiles/plist_files/fapl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/fapl_be") < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    PASSED();
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE STRCPLS *****/
+    TESTING("STRCPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if(test_plists("testfiles/plist_files/strcpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/strcpl_be") < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    PASSED();
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE ACPLS *****/
+    TESTING("ACPL Encoding/Decoding");
+    if(test_plists("testfiles/plist_files/acpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/acpl_be") < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    PASSED();
+
+    return 0;
+
+error:
+    return 1;
+}
+
+static int
+test_plists(const char *filename1, const char *filename2) 
+{
+    int fd_le, fd_be;
+    size_t size_le = 0, size_be = 0;
+    void *buf_le = NULL, *buf_be = NULL;
+    hid_t plist_le, plist_be;	       	/* dataset create prop. list */
+    const char *testfile;
+
+    testfile = H5_get_srcdir_filename(filename1);
+    if((fd_le = HDopen(testfile, O_RDONLY, 0666)) < 0)
+        TEST_ERROR
+    size_le = HDlseek(fd_le, (HDoff_t)0, SEEK_END);
+    HDlseek(fd_le, (HDoff_t)0, SEEK_SET);
+    buf_le = (void *)HDmalloc(size_le);
+    if(HDread(fd_le, buf_le, size_le) < 0)
+        TEST_ERROR
+    HDclose(fd_le);
+
+    testfile = H5_get_srcdir_filename(filename2);
+    if((fd_be = HDopen(testfile, O_RDONLY, 0666)) < 0)
+        TEST_ERROR
+    size_be = HDlseek(fd_be, (HDoff_t)0, SEEK_END);
+    HDlseek(fd_be, (HDoff_t)0, SEEK_SET);
+    buf_be = (void *)HDmalloc(size_be);
+    if(HDread(fd_be, buf_be, size_be) < 0)
+        TEST_ERROR
+    HDclose(fd_be);
+
+    if((plist_le = H5Pdecode(buf_le)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((plist_be = H5Pdecode(buf_be)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    if(!H5Pequal(plist_le, plist_be))
+        FAIL_PUTS_ERROR("PLIST encoding/decoding comparison failed\n")
+
+    if((H5Pclose(plist_le)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+    if((H5Pclose(plist_be)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR
+
+    HDfree(buf_le);
+    HDfree(buf_be);
+
+    return 1;
+
+error:
+    printf("***** Plist Encode/Decode tests FAILED! *****\n");
+    return -1;
+}
+
diff --git a/test/gen_plist.c b/test/gen_plist.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b4da261
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/gen_plist.c
@@ -0,0 +1,435 @@
+/* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
+ * 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.     *
+ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
+
+/*
+ * generate plist file
+ */
+
+#include <assert.h>
+#include <fcntl.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include "H5private.h"
+#include "hdf5.h"
+
+static int encode_plist(hid_t plist_id, int little_endian, const char *filename_le, const char *filename_be);
+
+int
+main(void)
+{
+    hid_t dcpl1;	       	/* dataset create prop. list */
+    hid_t dapl1;	       	/* dataset access prop. list */
+    hid_t dxpl1;	       	/* dataset xfer prop. list */
+    hid_t gcpl1;	       	/* group create prop. list */
+    hid_t ocpypl1;		/* object copy prop. list */
+    hid_t ocpl1;	        /* object create prop. list */
+    hid_t lcpl1;	       	/* link create prop. list */
+    hid_t lapl1;	       	/* link access prop. list */
+    hid_t fapl1;	       	/* file access prop. list */
+    hid_t fcpl1;	       	/* file create prop. list */
+    hid_t strcpl1;	       	/* string create prop. list */
+    hid_t acpl1;	       	/* attribute create prop. list */
+
+    herr_t ret = 0;
+    hsize_t chunk_size = 16384;	/* chunk size */ 
+    int fill = 2;            /* Fill value */
+    hsize_t max_size[1];        /* data space maximum size */
+    size_t nslots = 521 * 2;
+    size_t nbytes = 1048576 * 10;
+    double w0 = 0.5f;
+    unsigned max_compact;
+    unsigned min_dense;
+    const char* c_to_f = "x+32";
+    int little_endian;
+    H5AC_cache_config_t my_cache_config = {
+        H5AC__CURR_CACHE_CONFIG_VERSION,
+        1 /*TRUE*/,
+        0 /*FALSE*/,
+        0 /*FALSE*/,
+        "temp",
+        1 /*TRUE*/,
+        0 /*FALSE*/,
+        ( 2 * 2048 * 1024),
+        0.3f,
+        (64 * 1024 * 1024),
+        (4 * 1024 * 1024),
+        60000,
+        H5C_incr__threshold,
+        0.8f,
+        3.0f,
+        1 /*TRUE*/,
+        (8 * 1024 * 1024),
+        H5C_flash_incr__add_space,
+        2.0f,
+        0.25f,
+        H5C_decr__age_out_with_threshold,
+        0.997f,
+        0.8f,
+        1 /*TRUE*/,
+        (3 * 1024 * 1024),
+        3,
+        0 /*FALSE*/,
+        0.2f,
+        (256 * 2048),
+        H5AC_METADATA_WRITE_STRATEGY__PROCESS_0_ONLY};
+
+    /* check endianess */
+    {
+        short int word = 0x0001;
+        char *byte = (char *) &word;
+
+        if(byte[0] == 1)
+            /* little endian */
+            little_endian = 1;
+        else
+            /* big endian */
+            little_endian = 0;
+    }
+
+    /* Explicitly initialize the library, since we are including the private header file */
+    H5open();
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE DCPLS *****/
+    if((dcpl1 = H5Pcreate(H5P_DATASET_CREATE)) < 0)
+        assert(dcpl1 > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_chunk(dcpl1, 1, &chunk_size)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_alloc_time(dcpl1, H5D_ALLOC_TIME_LATE)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    ret = H5Tconvert(H5T_NATIVE_INT, H5T_STD_I32BE, (size_t)1, &fill, NULL, H5P_DEFAULT);
+    assert(ret >= 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_fill_value(dcpl1, H5T_STD_I32BE, &fill)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    max_size[0] = 100;
+    if((ret = H5Pset_external(dcpl1, "ext1.data", (off_t)0, 
+                         (hsize_t)(max_size[0] * sizeof(int)/4))) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_external(dcpl1, "ext2.data", (off_t)0, 
+                         (hsize_t)(max_size[0] * sizeof(int)/4))) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_external(dcpl1, "ext3.data", (off_t)0, 
+                         (hsize_t)(max_size[0] * sizeof(int)/4))) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_external(dcpl1, "ext4.data", (off_t)0, 
+                         (hsize_t)(max_size[0] * sizeof(int)/4))) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = encode_plist(dcpl1, little_endian, "testfiles/plist_files/dcpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/dcpl_be")) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((ret = H5Pclose(dcpl1)) < 0)
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE DAPLS *****/
+    if((dapl1 = H5Pcreate(H5P_DATASET_ACCESS)) < 0)
+        assert(dapl1 > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_chunk_cache(dapl1, nslots, nbytes, w0)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = encode_plist(dapl1, little_endian, "testfiles/plist_files/dapl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/dapl_be")) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((ret = H5Pclose(dapl1)) < 0)
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE DXPLS *****/
+    if((dxpl1 = H5Pcreate(H5P_DATASET_XFER)) < 0)
+        assert(dxpl1 > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_btree_ratios(dxpl1, 0.2f, 0.6f, 0.2f)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_hyper_vector_size(dxpl1, 5)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+#ifdef H5_HAVE_PARALLEL
+    if((ret = H5Pset_dxpl_mpio(dxpl1, H5FD_MPIO_COLLECTIVE)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_dxpl_mpio_collective_opt(dxpl1, H5FD_MPIO_INDIVIDUAL_IO)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_dxpl_mpio_chunk_opt(dxpl1, H5FD_MPIO_CHUNK_MULTI_IO)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_dxpl_mpio_chunk_opt_ratio(dxpl1, 30)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_dxpl_mpio_chunk_opt_num(dxpl1, 40)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+#endif/* H5_HAVE_PARALLEL */
+    if((ret = H5Pset_edc_check(dxpl1, H5Z_DISABLE_EDC)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_data_transform(dxpl1, c_to_f)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = encode_plist(dxpl1, little_endian, "testfiles/plist_files/dxpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/dxpl_be")) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((ret = H5Pclose(dxpl1)) < 0)
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE GCPLS *****/
+    if((gcpl1 = H5Pcreate(H5P_GROUP_CREATE)) < 0)
+        assert(gcpl1 > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_local_heap_size_hint(gcpl1, 256)) < 0)
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_link_phase_change(gcpl1, 2, 2)) < 0)
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /* Query the group creation properties */
+    if((ret = H5Pget_link_phase_change(gcpl1, &max_compact, &min_dense)) < 0)
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_est_link_info(gcpl1, 3, 9)) < 0)
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_link_creation_order(gcpl1, (H5P_CRT_ORDER_TRACKED | H5P_CRT_ORDER_INDEXED))) < 0)
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = encode_plist(gcpl1, little_endian, "testfiles/plist_files/gcpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/gcpl_be")) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((ret = H5Pclose(gcpl1)) < 0)
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE LCPLS *****/
+    if((lcpl1 = H5Pcreate(H5P_LINK_CREATE)) < 0)
+        assert(lcpl1 > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_create_intermediate_group(lcpl1, 1 /*TRUE*/)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = encode_plist(lcpl1, little_endian, "testfiles/plist_files/lcpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/lcpl_be")) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((ret = H5Pclose(lcpl1)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE OCPYLS *****/
+    if((ocpypl1 = H5Pcreate(H5P_OBJECT_COPY)) < 0)
+        assert(ocpypl1 > 0);
+
+    ret = H5Pset_copy_object(ocpypl1, H5O_COPY_EXPAND_EXT_LINK_FLAG);
+    assert(ret >= 0);
+
+    ret = H5Padd_merge_committed_dtype_path(ocpypl1, "foo");
+    assert(ret >= 0);
+
+    ret = H5Padd_merge_committed_dtype_path(ocpypl1, "bar");
+    assert(ret >= 0);
+
+    if((ret = encode_plist(ocpypl1, little_endian, "testfiles/plist_files/ocpypl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/ocpypl_be")) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+        
+    /* release resource */
+    if((ret = H5Pclose(ocpypl1)) < 0)
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE OCPLS *****/
+    if((ocpl1 = H5Pcreate(H5P_OBJECT_CREATE)) < 0)
+        assert(ocpl1 > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_attr_creation_order(ocpl1, (H5P_CRT_ORDER_TRACKED | H5P_CRT_ORDER_INDEXED))) < 0)
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_attr_phase_change (ocpl1, 110, 105)) < 0)
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_filter (ocpl1, H5Z_FILTER_FLETCHER32, 0, (size_t)0, NULL)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = encode_plist(ocpl1, little_endian, "testfiles/plist_files/ocpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/ocpl_be")) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /* release resource */
+    if((ret = H5Pclose(ocpl1)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE LAPLS *****/
+    if((lapl1 = H5Pcreate(H5P_LINK_ACCESS)) < 0)
+        assert(lapl1 > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_nlinks(lapl1, (size_t)134)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_elink_acc_flags(lapl1, H5F_ACC_RDONLY)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_elink_prefix(lapl1, "/tmpasodiasod")) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /* Create FAPL for the elink FAPL */
+    if((fapl1 = ret = H5Pcreate(ret = H5P_FILE_ACCESS)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_alignment(fapl1, 2, 1024)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_elink_fapl(lapl1, fapl1)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /* Close the elink's FAPL */
+    if((ret = H5Pclose(fapl1)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = encode_plist(lapl1, little_endian, "testfiles/plist_files/lapl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/lapl_be")) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /* release resource */
+    if((ret = H5Pclose(lapl1)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE FAPLS *****/
+    if((fapl1 = H5Pcreate(H5P_FILE_ACCESS)) < 0)
+        assert(fapl1 > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_family_offset(fapl1, 1024)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_meta_block_size(fapl1, 2098452)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_sieve_buf_size(fapl1, 1048576)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_alignment(fapl1, 2, 1024)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_cache(fapl1, 1024, 128, 10485760, 0.3f)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_elink_file_cache_size(fapl1, 10485760)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_gc_references(fapl1, 1)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_small_data_block_size(fapl1, 2048)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_libver_bounds(fapl1, H5F_LIBVER_LATEST, H5F_LIBVER_LATEST)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_fclose_degree(fapl1, H5F_CLOSE_WEAK)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_multi_type(fapl1, H5FD_MEM_GHEAP)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+    if((ret = H5Pset_mdc_config(fapl1, &my_cache_config)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = encode_plist(fapl1, little_endian, "testfiles/plist_files/fapl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/fapl_be")) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /* release resource */
+    if((ret = H5Pclose(fapl1)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE FCPLS *****/
+    if((fcpl1 = H5Pcreate(H5P_FILE_CREATE)) < 0)
+        assert(fcpl1 > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_userblock(fcpl1, 1024) < 0))
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_istore_k(fcpl1, 3) < 0))
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_sym_k(fcpl1, 4, 5) < 0))
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_shared_mesg_nindexes(fcpl1, 8) < 0))
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_shared_mesg_index(fcpl1, 1,  H5O_SHMESG_SDSPACE_FLAG, 32) < 0))
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+   if((ret = H5Pset_shared_mesg_phase_change(fcpl1, 60, 20) < 0))
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pset_sizes(fcpl1, 8, 4) < 0))
+         assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if((ret = encode_plist(fcpl1, little_endian, "testfiles/plist_files/fcpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/fcpl_be")) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /* release resource */
+    if((ret = H5Pclose(fcpl1)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE STRCPLS *****/
+    strcpl1 = H5Pcreate(H5P_STRING_CREATE);
+    assert(strcpl1 > 0);
+
+    ret = H5Pset_char_encoding(strcpl1, H5T_CSET_UTF8);
+    assert(ret >= 0);
+
+    ret = encode_plist(strcpl1, little_endian, "testfiles/plist_files/strcpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/strcpl_be");
+    assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /* release resource */
+    ret = H5Pclose(strcpl1);
+    assert(ret >= 0);
+
+    /******* ENCODE/DECODE ACPLS *****/
+    acpl1 = H5Pcreate(H5P_ATTRIBUTE_CREATE);
+    assert(acpl1 > 0);
+
+    ret = H5Pset_char_encoding(acpl1, H5T_CSET_UTF8);
+    assert(ret >= 0);
+
+    ret = encode_plist(acpl1, little_endian, "testfiles/plist_files/acpl_le", "testfiles/plist_files/acpl_be");
+    assert(ret > 0);
+
+    /* release resource */
+    ret = H5Pclose(acpl1);
+    assert(ret >= 0);
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static int
+encode_plist(hid_t plist_id, int little_endian, const char *filename_le, const char *filename_be)
+{
+    int fd = 0; /* file descriptor */
+    herr_t ret = 0;
+    void *temp_buf = NULL;
+    size_t temp_size = 0;
+    ssize_t write_size;
+
+    /* first call to encode returns only the size of the buffer needed */
+    if((ret = H5Pencode(plist_id, NULL, &temp_size)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    temp_buf = (void *)HDmalloc(temp_size);
+    assert(temp_buf);
+
+    if((ret = H5Pencode(plist_id, temp_buf, &temp_size)) < 0)
+        assert(ret > 0);
+
+    if(little_endian)
+        fd = HDopen(filename_le, O_RDWR | O_CREAT | O_TRUNC, 0666);
+    else
+        fd = HDopen(filename_be, O_RDWR | O_CREAT | O_TRUNC, 0666);
+    assert(fd > 0);
+
+    write_size = HDwrite(fd, temp_buf, temp_size);
+    assert(write_size == (ssize_t)temp_size);
+
+    HDclose(fd);
+    
+    HDfree(temp_buf);
+
+    return 1;
+}
+
diff --git a/test/h5test.h b/test/h5test.h
index 0c52bd1..7813b51 100644
--- a/test/h5test.h
+++ b/test/h5test.h
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ H5TEST_DLLVAR MPI_Info h5_io_info_g;         /* MPI INFO object for IO */
 #define H5_FAILED()  {puts("*FAILED*");fflush(stdout);}
 #define H5_WARNING()  {puts("*WARNING*");fflush(stdout);}
 #define SKIPPED()  {puts(" -SKIP-");fflush(stdout);}
+#define PUTS_ERROR(s)   {puts(s); AT(); goto error;}
 #define TEST_ERROR      {H5_FAILED(); AT(); goto error;}
 #define STACK_ERROR     {H5Eprint2(H5E_DEFAULT, stdout); goto error;}
 #define FAIL_STACK_ERROR {H5_FAILED(); AT(); H5Eprint2(H5E_DEFAULT, stdout); \
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/acpl_be b/test/testfiles/plist_files/acpl_be
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba342d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/acpl_be
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/acpl_le b/test/testfiles/plist_files/acpl_le
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba342d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/acpl_le
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/dapl_be b/test/testfiles/plist_files/dapl_be
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4df4e7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/dapl_be
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/dapl_le b/test/testfiles/plist_files/dapl_le
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4df4e7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/dapl_le
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/dcpl_be b/test/testfiles/plist_files/dcpl_be
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..667c67f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/dcpl_be
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/dcpl_le b/test/testfiles/plist_files/dcpl_le
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..667c67f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/dcpl_le
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/dxpl_be b/test/testfiles/plist_files/dxpl_be
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ff2ea0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/dxpl_be
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/dxpl_le b/test/testfiles/plist_files/dxpl_le
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ff2ea0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/dxpl_le
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/fapl_be b/test/testfiles/plist_files/fapl_be
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fcefa2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/fapl_be
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/fapl_le b/test/testfiles/plist_files/fapl_le
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fcefa2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/fapl_le
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/fcpl_be b/test/testfiles/plist_files/fcpl_be
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ffa5242
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/fcpl_be
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/fcpl_le b/test/testfiles/plist_files/fcpl_le
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ffa5242
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/fcpl_le
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/gcpl_be b/test/testfiles/plist_files/gcpl_be
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1eec32c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/gcpl_be
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/gcpl_le b/test/testfiles/plist_files/gcpl_le
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1eec32c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/gcpl_le
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/lapl_be b/test/testfiles/plist_files/lapl_be
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..30f52a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/lapl_be
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/lapl_le b/test/testfiles/plist_files/lapl_le
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..30f52a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/lapl_le
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/lcpl_be b/test/testfiles/plist_files/lcpl_be
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4584e5c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/lcpl_be
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/lcpl_le b/test/testfiles/plist_files/lcpl_le
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4584e5c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/lcpl_le
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/ocpl_be b/test/testfiles/plist_files/ocpl_be
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc46636
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/ocpl_be
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/ocpl_le b/test/testfiles/plist_files/ocpl_le
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc46636
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/ocpl_le
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/ocpypl_be b/test/testfiles/plist_files/ocpypl_be
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a0d826d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/ocpypl_be
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/ocpypl_le b/test/testfiles/plist_files/ocpypl_le
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a0d826d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/ocpypl_le
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/strcpl_be b/test/testfiles/plist_files/strcpl_be
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4190a63
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/strcpl_be
diff --git a/test/testfiles/plist_files/strcpl_le b/test/testfiles/plist_files/strcpl_le
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4190a63
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/testfiles/plist_files/strcpl_le