[svn-r16491] #1368 (E1) h5diff: implement "not comparable" messages. Implemented RFC. The new option is <-c, --compare List objects that are not comparable>

added some test cases and new test files for output

tested: h5committest

39 files changed, 445 insertions, 156 deletions

diff --git a/tools/h5diff/h5diff_main.c b/tools/h5diff/h5diff_main.c
index 5169019..daddab9 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/h5diff_main.c
+++ b/tools/h5diff/h5diff_main.c
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ const char  *progname = "h5diff";
  * Command-line options: The user can specify short or long-named
  * parameters.
  */
-static const char *s_opts = "hVrvqn:d:p:N";
+static const char *s_opts = "hVrvqn:d:p:Nc";
 static struct long_options l_opts[] = {
     { "help", no_arg, 'h' },
     { "version", no_arg, 'V' },
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ static struct long_options l_opts[] = {
     { "delta", require_arg, 'd' },
     { "relative", require_arg, 'p' },
     { "nan", no_arg, 'N' },
+    { "compare", no_arg, 'c' },
     { NULL, 0, '\0' }
 };
 
@@ -132,30 +133,30 @@ int main(int argc, const char *argv[])
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 
-void parse_command_line(int argc, 
-                        const char* argv[], 
-                        const char** fname1, 
+void parse_command_line(int argc,
+                        const char* argv[],
+                        const char** fname1,
                         const char** fname2,
-                        const char** objname1, 
-                        const char** objname2, 
+                        const char** objname1,
+                        const char** objname2,
                         diff_opt_t* options)
 {
-    
+
     int opt;
-    
+
     /* process the command-line */
     memset(options, 0, sizeof (diff_opt_t));
 
     /* assume equal contents initially */
     options->contents = 1;
 
-     /* NaNs are handled by default */
+    /* NaNs are handled by default */
     options->do_nans = 1;
-    
+
     /* parse command line options */
-    while ((opt = get_option(argc, argv, s_opts, l_opts)) != EOF) 
+    while ((opt = get_option(argc, argv, s_opts, l_opts)) != EOF)
     {
-        switch ((char)opt) 
+        switch ((char)opt)
         {
         default:
             usage();
@@ -178,7 +179,7 @@ void parse_command_line(int argc,
             break;
         case 'd':
             options->d=1;
-            
+
             if ( check_d_input( opt_arg )==-1)
             {
                 printf("<-d %s> is not a valid option\n", opt_arg );
@@ -187,9 +188,9 @@ void parse_command_line(int argc,
             }
             options->delta = atof( opt_arg );
             break;
-            
+
         case 'p':
-            
+
             options->p=1;
             if ( check_p_input( opt_arg )==-1)
             {
@@ -199,9 +200,9 @@ void parse_command_line(int argc,
             }
             options->percent = atof( opt_arg );
             break;
-            
+
         case 'n':
-            
+
             options->n=1;
             if ( check_n_input( opt_arg )==-1)
             {
@@ -210,37 +211,37 @@ void parse_command_line(int argc,
                 h5diff_exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
             }
             options->count = atol( opt_arg );
-            
+
             break;
 
-            
         case 'N':
             options->do_nans = 0;
             break;
-
-
+        case 'c':
+            options->m_list_not_cmp = 1;
+            break;
         }
     }
-    
+
     /* check for file names to be processed */
-    if (argc <= opt_ind || argv[ opt_ind + 1 ] == NULL) 
+    if (argc <= opt_ind || argv[ opt_ind + 1 ] == NULL)
     {
         error_msg(progname, "missing file names\n");
         usage();
         h5diff_exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
     }
-    
+
     *fname1 = argv[ opt_ind ];
     *fname2 = argv[ opt_ind + 1 ];
     *objname1 = argv[ opt_ind + 2 ];
-    
+
     if ( *objname1 == NULL )
     {
         *objname2 = NULL;
         return;
     }
-    
-    if ( argv[ opt_ind + 3 ] != NULL) 
+
+    if ( argv[ opt_ind + 3 ] != NULL)
     {
         *objname2 = argv[ opt_ind + 3 ];
     }
@@ -248,8 +249,8 @@ void parse_command_line(int argc,
     {
         *objname2 = *objname1;
     }
-    
-    
+
+
 }
 
 
@@ -276,11 +277,15 @@ void  print_info(diff_opt_t* options)
     
     if (options->not_cmp==1)
     {
-        printf("--------------------------------\n");
-        printf("Some objects are not comparable\n");
-        printf("--------------------------------\n");
-        if (!options->m_verbose)
-            printf("Use -v for a list of objects.\n");
+        if ( options->m_list_not_cmp == 0 )
+        {
+            printf("--------------------------------\n");
+            printf("Some objects are not comparable\n");
+            printf("--------------------------------\n");
+            printf("Use -c for a list of objects.\n");
+        }
+        
+        
     }
     
 }
@@ -413,13 +418,13 @@ void usage(void)
  printf("   -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences\n");
  printf("   -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects\n");
  printf("   -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output\n");
+ printf("   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable\n");
+ printf("   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection\n");
 
  printf("   -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number\n");
  printf("   -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D\n");
  printf("   -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R\n");
- printf("   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection\n");
 
- 
 
  printf("\n");
 
@@ -441,10 +446,9 @@ void usage(void)
  printf(" Compare criteria\n");
  printf("\n");
  printf(" If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects\n");
- printf("   with the same absolute path in both files.\n");
-
+ printf("   with the same absolute path in both files\n");
  printf("\n");
-   
+
  printf(" The compare criteria is:\n");
  printf("   1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference\n");
  printf("   3) datatypes: the return value of H5Tequal 4) links: name string difference\n");
@@ -483,6 +487,7 @@ void usage(void)
 }
 
 
+
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function: h5diff_exit
  *
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/h5diffgentest.c b/tools/h5diff/h5diffgentest.c
index f4fd90a..b96511d 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/h5diffgentest.c
+++ b/tools/h5diff/h5diffgentest.c
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ int test_basic(const char *fname1, const char *fname2, const char *fname3)
     {
         double data1[3][2] = {{1,1},  {1,1},       {0,0}};
         double data2[3][2] = {{0,1.1},{1.01,1.001},{0,1}};
-        double data3[3][2] = {{100,100},{100,100},{100,100}}; 
+        double data3[3][2] = {{100,100},{100,100},{100,100}};
         double data4[3][2] = {{105,120},{160,95},{80,40}};
         
         write_dset(gid1,2,dims2,"dset1",H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE,data1);
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ int test_basic(const char *fname1, const char *fname2, const char *fname3)
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
     {
-        int data5[3][2] = {{100,100},{100,0},{0,100}}; 
+        int data5[3][2] = {{100,100},{100,0},{0,100}};
         int data6[3][2] = {{120,80}, {0,100},{0,50}};
         
         write_dset(gid1,2,dims2,"dset5",H5T_NATIVE_INT,data5);
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ int test_basic(const char *fname1, const char *fname2, const char *fname3)
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
     {
-        unsigned long_long data7[3][2] = {{100,100},{100,0},{0,100}}; 
+        unsigned long_long data7[3][2] = {{100,100},{100,0},{0,100}};
         unsigned long_long data8[3][2] = {{120,80}, {0,100},{0,50}};
         
         write_dset(gid1,2,dims2,"dset7",H5T_NATIVE_ULLONG,data7);
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ int test_basic(const char *fname1, const char *fname2, const char *fname3)
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
     {
-        double data9[3][2] = {{100,100},{100,0},{0,100}}; 
+        double data9[3][2] = {{100,100},{100,0},{0,100}};
         double data10[3][2] ={{120,80}, {0,100},{0,50}};
         
         write_dset(gid1,2,dims2,"dset9",H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE,data9);
@@ -239,6 +239,23 @@ int test_basic(const char *fname1, const char *fname2, const char *fname3)
     }
     
     
+#if H5_SIZEOF_LONG_DOUBLE !=0
+    {
+        
+    /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    * H5T_NATIVE_LDOUBLE
+    *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        */
+        
+        long double data15[3][2] ={{1,1},{1,1},{1,1}};
+        
+        write_dset(gid1,2,dims2,"ld",H5T_NATIVE_LDOUBLE,data15);
+        
+    }
+#endif
+    
+    
+    
     /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     * NaNs in H5T_NATIVE_FLOAT
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -294,21 +311,71 @@ int test_basic(const char *fname1, const char *fname2, const char *fname3)
         write_dset(gid1,1,dims1,"fp18",H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE,data18);
         
     }
-    
-#if H5_SIZEOF_LONG_DOUBLE !=0
+
+    /* not comparable objects */
     {
+
+        typedef struct cmp1_t
+        {
+            double       d;
+            int          i;
+        } cmp1_t;
+
+        typedef struct cmp2_t
+        {
+            int          i;
+            double       d;
+        } cmp2_t;
+
+        typedef struct cmp3_t
+        {
+            int          i;
+        } cmp3_t;
+
+        double       data2[6] = {0,0,0,0,0,0};
+        int          data3[6] = {0,0,0,0,0,0};
+        int          data4[3][2] = {{0,0},{0,0},{0,0}};
+        int          data5[2][2] = {{0,0},{0,0}};
+        unsigned int data6[3][2] = {{0,0},{0,0},{0,0}};
+        cmp1_t       data7[1] = {1,2};
+        cmp2_t       data8[1] = {1,2};
+        hsize_t      dims3[2] = { 2,2 };
+        hsize_t      dims4[1] = { 1 };
+        size_t       type_size;
+        hid_t        tid;
+
         
-    /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    * H5T_NATIVE_LDOUBLE
-    *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-        */
-        
-        long double data15[3][2] ={{1,1},{1,1},{1,1}};
-        
-        write_dset(gid1,2,dims2,"ld",H5T_NATIVE_LDOUBLE,data15);
+
+        write_dset(gid3,1,dims1,"dset1",H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE,NULL);
+        write_dset(gid3,1,dims1,"dset2",H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE,data2);
+        write_dset(gid3,1,dims1,"dset3",H5T_NATIVE_INT,data3);
+        write_dset(gid3,2,dims2,"dset4",H5T_NATIVE_INT,data4);
+        write_dset(gid3,2,dims3,"dset5",H5T_NATIVE_INT,data5);
+        write_dset(gid3,2,dims2,"dset6",H5T_NATIVE_UINT,data6);
+
+        /* case of compound with different type members */
+        type_size = sizeof( cmp1_t );
+        tid = H5Tcreate (H5T_COMPOUND, type_size );
+        H5Tinsert(tid, "d", HOFFSET( cmp1_t, d ), H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE );
+        H5Tinsert(tid, "i", HOFFSET( cmp1_t, i ), H5T_NATIVE_INT );
+        write_dset(gid3,1,dims4,"dset7",tid,data7);
+        H5Tclose(tid);
+
+        type_size = sizeof( cmp2_t );
+        tid = H5Tcreate (H5T_COMPOUND, type_size );
+        H5Tinsert(tid, "i", HOFFSET( cmp2_t, i ), H5T_NATIVE_INT  );
+        H5Tinsert(tid, "d", HOFFSET( cmp2_t, d ), H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE );
+        write_dset(gid3,1,dims4,"dset8",tid,data8);
+        H5Tclose(tid);
+
+        /* case of compound with different number of members */
+        type_size = sizeof( cmp3_t );
+        tid = H5Tcreate (H5T_COMPOUND, type_size );
+        H5Tinsert(tid, "i", HOFFSET( cmp2_t, i ), H5T_NATIVE_INT  );
+        write_dset(gid3,1,dims4,"dset9",tid,NULL);
+        H5Tclose(tid);
         
     }
-#endif /* H5_SIZEOF_LONG_DOUBLE */
     
     
     /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -328,7 +395,6 @@ out:
 }
 
 
-
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function: test_types
  *
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_10.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_10.txt
index 9e33a46..38246d9 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_10.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_10.txt
@@ -9,10 +9,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_16_1.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_16_1.txt
index 6155ebf..39569fe 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_16_1.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_16_1.txt
@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ position        dset5           dset6           difference      relative
 --------------------------------
 Some objects are not comparable
 --------------------------------
+Use -c for a list of objects.
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_16_3.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_16_3.txt
index 6da24cf..349963a 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_16_3.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_16_3.txt
@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ position        dset9           dset10          difference      relative
 --------------------------------
 Some objects are not comparable
 --------------------------------
+Use -c for a list of objects.
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_17.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_17.txt
index 9c81c68..8437440 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_17.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_17.txt
@@ -22,6 +22,15 @@ file1     file2
     x           /g1/fp2        
     x           /g1/ld         
            x    /g2            
+           x    /g2/dset1      
+           x    /g2/dset2      
+           x    /g2/dset3      
+           x    /g2/dset4      
+           x    /g2/dset5      
+           x    /g2/dset6      
+           x    /g2/dset7      
+           x    /g2/dset8      
+           x    /g2/dset9      
 
 group  : </g1> and </g1>
 0 differences found
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_20.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_20.txt
index e383972..b05d4ff 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_20.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_20.txt
@@ -2,3 +2,4 @@ Comparison not possible: </dset> is of type H5G_DATASET and </g1> is of type H5G
 --------------------------------
 Some objects are not comparable
 --------------------------------
+Use -c for a list of objects.
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_200.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_200.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..56d723d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_200.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+--------------------------------
+Some objects are not comparable
+--------------------------------
+Use -c for a list of objects.
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_201.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_201.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..599cc2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_201.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+</g2/dset1> or </g2/dset2> are empty datasets
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_202.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_202.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a881cf5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_202.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+</g2/dset2> is of class H5T_FLOAT and </g2/dset3> is of class H5T_INTEGER
+</g2/dset2> has sign H5T_SGN_ERROR and </g2/dset3> has sign H5T_SGN_2
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_203.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_203.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aea1891
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_203.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+</g2/dset3> has rank 1, dimensions [6], max dimensions [6]
+</g2/dset4> has rank 2, dimensions [3x2], max dimensions [3x2]
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_204.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_204.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..66b9e63
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_204.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+</g2/dset4> has rank 2, dimensions [3x2], max dimensions [3x2]
+</g2/dset5> has rank 2, dimensions [2x2], max dimensions [2x2]
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_205.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_205.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f7360ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_205.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+</g2/dset5> has rank 2, dimensions [2x2], max dimensions [2x2]
+</g2/dset6> has rank 2, dimensions [3x2], max dimensions [3x2]
+</g2/dset5> has sign H5T_SGN_2 and </g2/dset6> has sign H5T_SGN_NONE
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_206.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_206.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8bbbb9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_206.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+</g2/dset7> has a class H5T_FLOAT and </g2/dset8> has a class H5T_INTEGER
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_207.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_207.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..833afe8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_207.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+</g2/dset8> or </g2/dset9> are empty datasets
+</g2/dset8> has 2 members </g2/dset9> has 1 members 
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_21.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_21.txt
index d5b0443..f259d06 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_21.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_21.txt
@@ -2,3 +2,4 @@ Comparison not possible: </dset> is of type H5G_DATASET and </l1> is of type H5G
 --------------------------------
 Some objects are not comparable
 --------------------------------
+Use -c for a list of objects.
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_22.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_22.txt
index d8714a0..690147a 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_22.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_22.txt
@@ -2,3 +2,4 @@ Comparison not possible: </dset> is of type H5G_DATASET and </t1> is of type H5G
 --------------------------------
 Some objects are not comparable
 --------------------------------
+Use -c for a list of objects.
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_57.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_57.txt
index 590d355..c1a0d64 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_57.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_57.txt
@@ -2,8 +2,9 @@ dataset: </dset7a> and </dset7b>
 Warning: different storage datatype
 </dset7a> has file datatype H5T_STD_I8LE
 </dset7b> has file datatype H5T_STD_U8LE
-Comparison not supported: </dset7a> has sign H5T_SGN_2 and </dset7b> has sign H5T_SGN_NONE
+</dset7a> has sign H5T_SGN_2 and </dset7b> has sign H5T_SGN_NONE
 0 differences found
 --------------------------------
 Some objects are not comparable
 --------------------------------
+Use -c for a list of objects.
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_600.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_600.txt
index 8f29888..17af208 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_600.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_600.txt
@@ -9,10 +9,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_603.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_603.txt
index ce5057c..30fe246 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_603.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_603.txt
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_604.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_604.txt
index ba31fd5..9357b26 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_604.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_604.txt
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_605.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_605.txt
index c4aa9e6..1c99713 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_605.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_605.txt
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_606.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_606.txt
index bf7f1bf..0567106 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_606.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_606.txt
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_612.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_612.txt
index d2b1941..505705b 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_612.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_612.txt
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_613.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_613.txt
index 7fd1b04..1a89746 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_613.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_613.txt
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_614.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_614.txt
index b085c75..ec12818 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_614.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_614.txt
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_615.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_615.txt
index 2b34700..8528c0e 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_615.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_615.txt
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_621.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_621.txt
index 4903963..96d6c3f 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_621.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_621.txt
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_622.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_622.txt
index 4da5041..9dc3751 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_622.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_622.txt
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_623.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_623.txt
index cf8db3f..a02f5ea 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_623.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_623.txt
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_624.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_624.txt
index b07033b..396a007 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_624.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_624.txt
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
    -r, --report            Report mode. Print differences
    -v, --verbose           Verbose mode. Print differences, list of objects
    -q, --quiet             Quiet mode. Do not do output
+   -c, --compare           List objects that are not comparable
+   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
    -n C, --count=C         Print differences up to C number
    -d D, --delta=D         Print difference when greater than limit D
    -p R, --relative=R      Print difference when greater than relative limit R
-   -N, --nan               Avoid NaNs detection
 
   C - is a positive integer
   D - is a positive number. Compare criteria is |a - b| > D
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ usage: h5diff [OPTIONS] file1 file2 [obj1[obj2]]
  Compare criteria
 
  If no objects [obj1[obj2]] are specified, h5diff only compares objects
-   with the same absolute path in both files.
+   with the same absolute path in both files
 
  The compare criteria is:
    1) datasets: numerical array differences 2) groups: name string difference
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_70.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_70.txt
index a89cfdc..84df239 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_70.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_70.txt
@@ -1793,3 +1793,4 @@ position        float3D of </>  float3D of </>  difference
 --------------------------------
 Some objects are not comparable
 --------------------------------
+Use -c for a list of objects.
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_80.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_80.txt
index 3051ba4..59d3914 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_80.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_80.txt
@@ -872,3 +872,4 @@ group  : </> and </>
 --------------------------------
 Some objects are not comparable
 --------------------------------
+Use -c for a list of objects.
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_90.txt b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_90.txt
index 0a9f86e..e787c21 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_90.txt
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_90.txt
@@ -6,6 +6,15 @@ file1     file2
     x      x    /g1/dset2      
     x      x    /g1/dset4      
     x      x    /g2            
+    x      x    /g2/dset1      
+    x      x    /g2/dset2      
+    x      x    /g2/dset3      
+    x      x    /g2/dset4      
+    x      x    /g2/dset5      
+    x      x    /g2/dset6      
+    x      x    /g2/dset7      
+    x      x    /g2/dset8      
+    x      x    /g2/dset9      
 
 group  : </g1> and </g1>
 0 differences found
@@ -17,5 +26,29 @@ dataset: </g1/dset4> and </g1/dset4>
 0 differences found
 group  : </g2> and </g2>
 0 differences found
+dataset: </g2/dset1> and </g2/dset1>
+</g2/dset1> or </g2/dset1> are empty datasets
+0 differences found
+dataset: </g2/dset2> and </g2/dset2>
+0 differences found
+dataset: </g2/dset3> and </g2/dset3>
+0 differences found
+dataset: </g2/dset4> and </g2/dset4>
+0 differences found
+dataset: </g2/dset5> and </g2/dset5>
+0 differences found
+dataset: </g2/dset6> and </g2/dset6>
+0 differences found
+dataset: </g2/dset7> and </g2/dset7>
+0 differences found
+dataset: </g2/dset8> and </g2/dset8>
+0 differences found
+dataset: </g2/dset9> and </g2/dset9>
+</g2/dset9> or </g2/dset9> are empty datasets
+0 differences found
 group  : </> and </>
 0 differences found
+--------------------------------
+Some objects are not comparable
+--------------------------------
+Use -c for a list of objects.
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_basic2.h5 b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_basic2.h5
index 46285cf..932c34d 100644
--- a/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_basic2.h5
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testfiles/h5diff_basic2.h5
diff --git a/tools/h5diff/testh5diff.sh b/tools/h5diff/testh5diff.sh
index 2fc677e..594b505 100755
--- a/tools/h5diff/testh5diff.sh
+++ b/tools/h5diff/testh5diff.sh
@@ -570,6 +570,32 @@ TOOLTEST h5diff_101.txt -v $FILE1 $FILE1 g1/d1  g1/d2
 TESTING $H5DIFF -v  $SRCFILE1 $SRCFILE1  g1/fp1 g1/fp2 
 TOOLTEST h5diff_102.txt -v $FILE1 $FILE1 g1/fp1 g1/fp2 
 
+# not comparable -c flag
+TESTING $H5DIFF $SRCFILE2 $SRCFILE2 g2/dset1  g2/dset2
+TOOLTEST h5diff_200.txt $FILE2 $FILE2 g2/dset1  g2/dset2 
+
+TESTING $H5DIFF -c $SRCFILE2 $SRCFILE2 g2/dset1  g2/dset2
+TOOLTEST h5diff_201.txt -c $FILE2 $FILE2 g2/dset1  g2/dset2 
+
+TESTING $H5DIFF -c $SRCFILE2 $SRCFILE2 g2/dset2  g2/dset3
+TOOLTEST h5diff_202.txt -c $FILE2 $FILE2 g2/dset2  g2/dset3
+
+TESTING $H5DIFF -c $SRCFILE2 $SRCFILE2 g2/dset3  g2/dset4
+TOOLTEST h5diff_203.txt -c $FILE2 $FILE2 g2/dset3  g2/dset4
+
+TESTING $H5DIFF -c $SRCFILE2 $SRCFILE2 g2/dset4  g2/dset5
+TOOLTEST h5diff_204.txt -c $FILE2 $FILE2 g2/dset4  g2/dset5
+
+TESTING $H5DIFF -c $SRCFILE2 $SRCFILE2 g2/dset5  g2/dset6
+TOOLTEST h5diff_205.txt -c $FILE2 $FILE2 g2/dset5  g2/dset6
+
+
+# not comparable in compound
+TESTING $H5DIFF -c $SRCFILE2 $SRCFILE2 g2/dset7  g2/dset8
+TOOLTEST h5diff_206.txt -c $FILE2 $FILE2 g2/dset7  g2/dset8
+
+TESTING $H5DIFF -c $SRCFILE2 $SRCFILE2 g2/dset8  g2/dset9
+TOOLTEST h5diff_207.txt -c $FILE2 $FILE2 g2/dset8  g2/dset9
 
 
 # ##############################################################################
diff --git a/tools/lib/h5diff.h b/tools/lib/h5diff.h
index bdad702..27e688d 100644
--- a/tools/lib/h5diff.h
+++ b/tools/lib/h5diff.h
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
  */
 
 typedef struct {
-    int    m_quiet;   /* quiet mide: no output at all */
+    int    m_quiet;   /* quiet mode: no output at all */
     int    m_report;  /* report mode: print the data */
     int    m_verbose; /* verbose mode: print the data, list of objcets, warnings */
     int    d;         /* delta, absolute value to compare */
@@ -35,10 +35,11 @@ typedef struct {
     int    n;         /* count, compare up to count */
     hsize_t count;    /* count value */
     int    err_stat;  /* an error ocurred (1, error, 0, no error) */
-    int    cmn_objs;  /* do we have comparable objects */
+    int    cmn_objs;  /* do we have common objects */
     int    not_cmp;   /* are the objects comparable */
     int    contents;  /* equal contents */
     int    do_nans;   /* consider Nans while diffing floats */
+    int    m_list_not_cmp;   /* list not comparable messages */
 } diff_opt_t;
 
 
@@ -133,7 +134,8 @@ int diff_can_type( hid_t       f_type1, /* file data type */
                    hsize_t     *maxdim2,
                    const char  *obj1_name,
                    const char  *obj2_name,
-                   diff_opt_t  *options );
+                   diff_opt_t  *options,
+                   int         is_compound);
 
 
 hsize_t diff_attr(hid_t loc1_id,
diff --git a/tools/lib/h5diff_attr.c b/tools/lib/h5diff_attr.c
index a8ac816..83a23cd 100644
--- a/tools/lib/h5diff_attr.c
+++ b/tools/lib/h5diff_attr.c
@@ -146,15 +146,11 @@ hsize_t diff_attr(hid_t loc1_id,
             NULL,
             name1,
             name2,
-            options)!=1)
+            options,
+            0)!=1)
         {
             
-            if (options->m_verbose)
-                printf("Comparison not possible for attribute <%s>\n",
-                name1);
-            
-            options->not_cmp=1;
-            
+                       
             if (H5Tclose(ftype1_id)<0) 
                 goto error;
             if (H5Tclose(ftype2_id)<0) 
diff --git a/tools/lib/h5diff_dset.c b/tools/lib/h5diff_dset.c
index 197ebd5..3b5527a 100644
--- a/tools/lib/h5diff_dset.c
+++ b/tools/lib/h5diff_dset.c
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ hsize_t diff_datasetid( hid_t did1,
     hsize_t    storage_size1;
     hsize_t    storage_size2;
     hsize_t    nfound=0;               /* number of differences found */
-    int        cmp=1;                  /* do diff or not */
+    int        can_compare=1;          /* do diff or not */
     void       *buf1=NULL;                  
     void       *buf2=NULL; 
     void       *sm_buf1=NULL;                
@@ -256,14 +256,12 @@ hsize_t diff_datasetid( hid_t did1,
     
     storage_size1=H5Dget_storage_size(did1);
     storage_size2=H5Dget_storage_size(did2);
-    if (storage_size1<0 || storage_size2<0)
-        goto error;
     
     if (storage_size1==0 || storage_size2==0)
     {
-        if (options->m_verbose && obj1_name && obj2_name)
+        if ( (options->m_verbose||options->m_list_not_cmp) && obj1_name && obj2_name)
             printf("<%s> or <%s> are empty datasets\n", obj1_name, obj2_name);
-        cmp=0;
+        can_compare=0;
         options->not_cmp=1;
     }
     
@@ -282,10 +280,10 @@ hsize_t diff_datasetid( hid_t did1,
         maxdim2,
         obj1_name,
         obj2_name,
-        options)!=1)
+        options,
+        0)!=1)
     {
-        cmp=0;
-        options->not_cmp=1;
+        can_compare=0;
     }
     
    /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -310,13 +308,13 @@ hsize_t diff_datasetid( hid_t did1,
     sign2=H5Tget_sign(m_tid2);
     if ( sign1 != sign2 )
     {
-        if (options->m_verbose && obj1_name) 
+        if ((options->m_verbose||options->m_list_not_cmp) && obj1_name && obj2_name) 
         {
-            printf("Comparison not supported: <%s> has sign %s ", obj1_name, get_sign(sign1));
+            printf("<%s> has sign %s ", obj1_name, get_sign(sign1));
             printf("and <%s> has sign %s\n", obj2_name, get_sign(sign2));
         }
         
-        cmp=0;
+        can_compare=0;
         options->not_cmp=1;
     }
     
@@ -324,7 +322,7 @@ hsize_t diff_datasetid( hid_t did1,
     * only attempt to compare if possible
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
-    if (cmp)
+    if (can_compare ) /* it is possible to compare */
     {
         
        /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -494,10 +492,8 @@ hsize_t diff_datasetid( hid_t did1,
                 if ( H5Dread(did2,m_tid2,sm_space,sid2,H5P_DEFAULT,sm_buf2) < 0 )
                     goto error;
                 
-                /* get array differences. in the case of hyperslab read, increment the 
-                   number of differences found in each hyperslab and pass the 
-                   position at the beggining for printing
-                 */
+                /* get array differences. in the case of hyperslab read, increment the number of differences
+                found in each hyperslab and pass the position at the beggining for printing */
                 nfound += diff_array(sm_buf1,
                     sm_buf2,
                     hs_nelmts,
@@ -543,8 +539,7 @@ hsize_t diff_datasetid( hid_t did1,
             }
             
   } /* hyperslab read */
- 
- }/*cmp*/
+ }/*can_compare*/
  
  /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
   * compare attributes
@@ -635,21 +630,21 @@ error:
 }
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * Function: diff_can_type
- *
- * Purpose: check for comparable TYPE and SPACE
- *
- * Return:
- *  1, can compare
- *  0, cannot compare
- * -1, error
- *
- * Programmer: Pedro Vicente, pvn@ncsa.uiuc.edu
- *
- * Date: November 3, 2003
- *
- *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- */
+* Function: diff_can_type
+*
+* Purpose: check for comparable TYPE and SPACE
+*
+* Return:
+*  1, can compare
+*  0, cannot compare
+* -1, error
+*
+* Programmer: Pedro Vicente, pvn@ncsa.uiuc.edu
+*
+* Date: November 3, 2003
+*
+*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+*/
 
 int diff_can_type( hid_t       f_tid1, /* file data type */
                    hid_t       f_tid2, /* file data type */
@@ -661,20 +656,24 @@ int diff_can_type( hid_t       f_tid1, /* file data type */
                    hsize_t     *maxdim2,
                    const char  *obj1_name,
                    const char  *obj2_name,
-                   diff_opt_t  *options )
+                   diff_opt_t  *options,
+                   int         is_compound)
 {
+    
+    
     H5T_class_t  tclass1;
     H5T_class_t  tclass2;
     int          maxdim_diff=0;          /* maximum dimensions are different */
     int          dim_diff=0;             /* current dimensions are different */
     int          i;
+    int          can_compare = 1;        /* return value */
     
-   /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     * check for the same class
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
     
-   if ((tclass1=H5Tget_class(f_tid1)) < 0)
+    if ((tclass1=H5Tget_class(f_tid1)) < 0)
         return -1;
     
     if ((tclass2=H5Tget_class(f_tid2)) < 0)
@@ -682,16 +681,38 @@ int diff_can_type( hid_t       f_tid1, /* file data type */
     
     if ( tclass1 != tclass2 )
     {
-        if (options->m_verbose && obj1_name) 
+
+        if ( (options->m_verbose||options->m_list_not_cmp) && obj1_name && obj2_name)
         {
-            printf("Comparison not possible: <%s> is of class %s and <%s> is of class %s\n",
-                obj1_name, get_class(tclass1),
-                obj2_name, get_class(tclass2) );
+            
+            if ( is_compound )
+            {
+                
+                printf("<%s> has a class %s and <%s> has a class %s\n",
+                    obj1_name, get_class(tclass1),
+                    obj2_name, get_class(tclass2) );
+                
+            }
+            
+            else
+                
+            {
+                
+                printf("<%s> is of class %s and <%s> is of class %s\n",
+                    obj1_name, get_class(tclass1),
+                    obj2_name, get_class(tclass2) );
+                
+            }
+
         }
-        return 0;
+
+       
+        can_compare = 0;
+        options->not_cmp = 1;
+        return can_compare;
     }
     
-   /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     * check for non supported classes
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
@@ -713,22 +734,30 @@ int diff_can_type( hid_t       f_tid1, /* file data type */
         break;
         
     default: /*H5T_TIME */
-        if (options->m_verbose && obj1_name )
-            printf("Comparison not supported: <%s> and <%s> are of class %s\n",
-            obj1_name,obj2_name,get_class(tclass2) );
-        return 0;
+        
+
+        if ( (options->m_verbose||options->m_list_not_cmp) && obj1_name && obj2_name)
+        {
+            printf("<%s> and <%s> are of class %s\n",
+                obj1_name,obj2_name,get_class(tclass2) );
+        }
+        can_compare = 0;
+        options->not_cmp = 1;
+        return can_compare;
     }
     
-   /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     * check for equal file datatype; warning only
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
     
-    if ( (H5Tequal(f_tid1, f_tid2)==0) && options->m_verbose && obj1_name)
+    if ( (H5Tequal(f_tid1, f_tid2)==0) &&
+        (options->m_verbose) && obj1_name && obj2_name)
     {
         
         H5T_class_t cl = H5Tget_class(f_tid1);
-        
+         
+
         printf("Warning: different storage datatype\n");
         if ( cl == H5T_INTEGER || cl == H5T_FLOAT )
         {
@@ -739,18 +768,22 @@ int diff_can_type( hid_t       f_tid1, /* file data type */
             print_type(f_tid2);
             printf("\n");
         }
+
+
+        
     }
     
-   /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     * check for the same rank
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
     
     if ( rank1 != rank2 )
     {
-        if (options->m_verbose && obj1_name) 
+
+        if ( (options->m_verbose||options->m_list_not_cmp) && obj1_name && obj2_name)
         {
-            printf("Comparison not supported: <%s> has rank %d, dimensions ", obj1_name, rank1);
+            printf("<%s> has rank %d, dimensions ", obj1_name, rank1);
             print_dimensions(rank1,dims1);
             printf(", max dimensions ");
             print_dimensions(rank1,maxdim1);
@@ -759,11 +792,15 @@ int diff_can_type( hid_t       f_tid1, /* file data type */
             print_dimensions(rank2,dims2);
             printf(", max dimensions ");
             print_dimensions(rank2,maxdim2);
+            printf("\n");
         }
-        return 0;
+
+        can_compare = 0;
+        options->not_cmp = 1;
+        return can_compare;
     }
     
-   /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     * check for different dimensions
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
@@ -780,16 +817,16 @@ int diff_can_type( hid_t       f_tid1, /* file data type */
             dim_diff=1;
     }
     
-   /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     * current dimensions
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
     
     if (dim_diff==1)
     {
-        if (options->m_verbose && obj1_name) 
+        if ( (options->m_verbose||options->m_list_not_cmp) && obj1_name && obj2_name)
         {
-            printf("Comparison not supported: <%s> has rank %d, dimensions ", obj1_name, rank1);
+            printf("<%s> has rank %d, dimensions ", obj1_name, rank1);
             print_dimensions(rank1,dims1);
             if (maxdim1 && maxdim2) 
             {
@@ -800,19 +837,26 @@ int diff_can_type( hid_t       f_tid1, /* file data type */
                 print_dimensions(rank2,dims2);
                 printf(", max dimensions ");
                 print_dimensions(rank2,maxdim2);
+                printf("\n");
             }
         }
-        return 0;
+        
+
+        can_compare = 0;
+        options->not_cmp = 1;
+        return can_compare;
+
+
+
     }
     
-   /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     * maximum dimensions; just give a warning
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
     if (maxdim1 && maxdim2 && maxdim_diff==1 && obj1_name )
     {
-        if (options->m_verbose) 
-        {
+        if (options->m_verbose) {
             printf( "Warning: different maximum dimensions\n");
             printf("<%s> has max dimensions ", obj1_name);
             print_dimensions(rank1,maxdim1);
@@ -822,10 +866,79 @@ int diff_can_type( hid_t       f_tid1, /* file data type */
             printf("\n");
         }
     }
+
+
+    if ( tclass1 == H5T_COMPOUND )
+    {
+        
+        int   nmembs1;
+        int   nmembs2;
+        int   j;
+        hid_t memb_type1;
+        hid_t memb_type2;
+
+        nmembs1 = H5Tget_nmembers(f_tid1);
+        nmembs2 = H5Tget_nmembers(f_tid2);
+
+        if ( nmembs1 != nmembs2 )
+        {
+            
+            if ( (options->m_verbose||options->m_list_not_cmp) && obj1_name && obj2_name)
+            {
+                printf("<%s> has %d members ", obj1_name, nmembs1);
+                printf("<%s> has %d members ", obj2_name, nmembs2);
+                printf("\n");
+            }
+
+            can_compare = 0;
+            options->not_cmp = 1;
+            return can_compare;
+        }
+               
+        for (j = 0; j < nmembs1; j++)
+        {
+            memb_type1 = H5Tget_member_type(f_tid1, (unsigned)j);
+            memb_type2 = H5Tget_member_type(f_tid2, (unsigned)j);
+
+            if (diff_can_type(memb_type1,
+                memb_type2,
+                rank1,
+                rank2,
+                dims1,
+                dims2,
+                maxdim1,
+                maxdim2,
+                obj1_name,
+                obj2_name,
+                options,
+                1)!=1)
+            {
+                can_compare = 0;
+                options->not_cmp = 1;
+                H5Tclose(memb_type1);
+                H5Tclose(memb_type2);
+                return can_compare;
+            }
+            
+            H5Tclose(memb_type1);
+            H5Tclose(memb_type2);
+            
+        }
+        
+        
+        
+        
+        
+    }
     
-    return 1;
+      
+
+
+    
+    return can_compare;
 }
 
+
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Function: print_sizes
  *