HDFFV-10282 refactor out assert calls in tools

17 files changed, 568 insertions, 575 deletions

diff --git a/tools/h5dump/h5dump.c b/tools/h5dump/h5dump.c
index ced5b36..80e653a 100644
--- a/tools/h5dump/h5dump.c
+++ b/tools/h5dump/h5dump.c
@@ -10,8 +10,6 @@
  * If you do not have access to either file, you may request a copy from     *
  * help@hdfgroup.org.                                                        *
  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
-#include <stdio.h>
-#include <stdlib.h>
 
 #include "h5dump.h"
 #include "h5dump_ddl.h"
@@ -719,93 +717,100 @@ parse_mask_list(const char *h_list)
     const char        *ptr = NULL;
 
     /* sanity check */
-    HDassert(h_list);
+    if(h_list) {
+        HDmemset(packed_mask,0,sizeof(packed_mask));
+
+        packed_bits_num = 0;
+        /* scan in pair of offset,length separated by commas. */
+        ptr = h_list;
+        while (*ptr) {
+            /* scan for an offset which is an unsigned int */
+            if (!HDisdigit(*ptr)) {
+                error_msg("Bad mask list(%s)\n", h_list);
+                return FAIL;
+            }
+            soffset_value = HDatoi(ptr);
+            offset_value = (unsigned)soffset_value;
+            if (soffset_value < 0 || offset_value >= PACKED_BITS_SIZE_MAX) {
+                error_msg("Packed Bit offset value(%d) must be between 0 and %u\n",
+                        soffset_value, (unsigned)(PACKED_BITS_SIZE_MAX - 1));
+                return FAIL;
+            }
 
-    HDmemset(packed_mask,0,sizeof(packed_mask));
+            /* skip to end of integer */
+            while (HDisdigit(*++ptr))
+                ;
+            /* Look for the common separator */
+            if (*ptr++ != ',') {
+                error_msg("Bad mask list(%s), missing expected comma separator.\n", h_list);
+                return FAIL;
+            }
 
-    packed_bits_num = 0;
-    /* scan in pair of offset,length separated by commas. */
-    ptr = h_list;
-    while (*ptr) {
-        /* scan for an offset which is an unsigned int */
-        if (!HDisdigit(*ptr)) {
-            error_msg("Bad mask list(%s)\n", h_list);
-            return FAIL;
-        }
-        soffset_value = HDatoi(ptr);
-        offset_value = (unsigned)soffset_value;
-        if (soffset_value < 0 || offset_value >= PACKED_BITS_SIZE_MAX) {
-            error_msg("Packed Bit offset value(%d) must be between 0 and %u\n",
-                    soffset_value, (unsigned)(PACKED_BITS_SIZE_MAX - 1));
-            return FAIL;
-        }
+            /* scan for a length which is a positive int */
+            if (!HDisdigit(*ptr)) {
+                error_msg("Bad mask list(%s)\n", h_list);
+                return FAIL;
+            }
+            slength_value = HDatoi(ptr);
+            if (slength_value <= 0) {
+                error_msg("Packed Bit length value(%d) must be positive.\n", slength_value);
+                return FAIL;
+            }
+            length_value = (unsigned)slength_value;
+            if ((offset_value + length_value) > PACKED_BITS_SIZE_MAX) {
+                error_msg("Packed Bit offset+length value(%u) too large. Max is %u\n",
+                        offset_value+length_value, (unsigned)PACKED_BITS_SIZE_MAX);
+                return FAIL;
+            }
 
-        /* skip to end of integer */
-        while (HDisdigit(*++ptr))
-            ;
-        /* Look for the common separator */
-        if (*ptr++ != ',') {
-            error_msg("Bad mask list(%s), missing expected comma separator.\n", h_list);
-            return FAIL;
-        }
+            /* skip to end of int */
+            while (HDisdigit(*++ptr))
+                ;
 
-        /* scan for a length which is a positive int */
-        if (!HDisdigit(*ptr)) {
-            error_msg("Bad mask list(%s)\n", h_list);
-            return FAIL;
-        }
-        slength_value = HDatoi(ptr);
-        if (slength_value <= 0) {
-            error_msg("Packed Bit length value(%d) must be positive.\n", slength_value);
-            return FAIL;
+            /* store the offset,length pair */
+            if (packed_bits_num >= PACKED_BITS_MAX) {
+                /* too many requests */
+                error_msg("Too many masks requested (max. %d). Mask list(%s)\n", PACKED_BITS_MAX, h_list);
+                return FAIL;
+            }
+            packed_offset[packed_bits_num] = offset_value;
+            packed_length[packed_bits_num] = length_value;
+            /* create the bit mask by left shift 1's by length, then negate it. */
+            /* After packed_mask is calculated, packed_length is not needed but  */
+            /* keep it for debug purpose. */
+            temp_mask = ~0ULL;
+            if(length_value < (int)(8 *sizeof(unsigned long long))) {
+                temp_mask = temp_mask << length_value;
+                packed_mask[packed_bits_num] = ~temp_mask;
+            }
+            else
+                packed_mask[packed_bits_num] = temp_mask;
+            packed_bits_num++;
+
+            /* skip a possible comma separator */
+            if (*ptr == ',') {
+                if (!(*++ptr)) {
+                    /* unexpected end of string */
+                    error_msg("Bad mask list(%s), unexpected end of string.\n", h_list);
+                    return FAIL;
+                }
+            }
         }
-        length_value = (unsigned)slength_value;
-        if ((offset_value + length_value) > PACKED_BITS_SIZE_MAX) {
-            error_msg("Packed Bit offset+length value(%u) too large. Max is %u\n",
-                       offset_value+length_value, (unsigned)PACKED_BITS_SIZE_MAX);
+        if(packed_bits_num > PACKED_BITS_MAX) {
+            error_msg("Maximum number of packed bits exceeded\n");
             return FAIL;
         }
-
-        /* skip to end of int */
-        while (HDisdigit(*++ptr))
-            ;
-
-        /* store the offset,length pair */
-        if (packed_bits_num >= PACKED_BITS_MAX) {
-            /* too many requests */
-            error_msg("Too many masks requested (max. %d). Mask list(%s)\n", PACKED_BITS_MAX, h_list);
+        if (packed_bits_num == 0) {
+            /* got no masks! */
+            error_msg("Bad mask list(%s)\n", h_list);
             return FAIL;
         }
-        packed_offset[packed_bits_num] = offset_value;
-        packed_length[packed_bits_num] = length_value;
-        /* create the bit mask by left shift 1's by length, then negate it. */
-        /* After packed_mask is calculated, packed_length is not needed but  */
-        /* keep it for debug purpose. */
-        temp_mask = ~0ULL;
-        if(length_value < (int)(8 *sizeof(unsigned long long))) {
-            temp_mask = temp_mask << length_value;
-            packed_mask[packed_bits_num] = ~temp_mask;
-        }
-        else
-            packed_mask[packed_bits_num] = temp_mask;
-        packed_bits_num++;
-
-        /* skip a possible comma separator */
-        if (*ptr == ',') {
-            if (!(*++ptr)) {
-                /* unexpected end of string */
-                error_msg("Bad mask list(%s), unexpected end of string.\n", h_list);
-                return FAIL;
-            }
-        }
+        return SUCCEED;
     }
-    HDassert(packed_bits_num <= PACKED_BITS_MAX);
-    if (packed_bits_num == 0) {
-        /* got no masks! */
-        error_msg("Bad mask list(%s)\n", h_list);
+    else  {
+        error_msg("Bad mask list argument\n");
         return FAIL;
     }
-    return SUCCEED;
 }
 
 
@@ -1696,13 +1701,18 @@ h5_fileaccess(void)
         HDmemset(memb_name, 0, sizeof memb_name);
         HDmemset(memb_addr, 0, sizeof memb_addr);
 
-        HDassert(HDstrlen(multi_letters)==H5FD_MEM_NTYPES);
-        for (mt=H5FD_MEM_DEFAULT; mt<H5FD_MEM_NTYPES; H5_INC_ENUM(H5FD_mem_t,mt)) {
-            memb_fapl[mt] = H5P_DEFAULT;
-            memb_map[mt] = mt;
-            sprintf(sv[mt], "%%s-%c.h5", multi_letters[mt]);
-            memb_name[mt] = sv[mt];
-            memb_addr[mt] = (haddr_t)MAX(mt - 1, 0) * (HADDR_MAX / 10);
+        if(HDstrlen(multi_letters)==H5FD_MEM_NTYPES) {
+            for (mt=H5FD_MEM_DEFAULT; mt<H5FD_MEM_NTYPES; H5_INC_ENUM(H5FD_mem_t,mt)) {
+                memb_fapl[mt] = H5P_DEFAULT;
+                memb_map[mt] = mt;
+                sprintf(sv[mt], "%%s-%c.h5", multi_letters[mt]);
+                memb_name[mt] = sv[mt];
+                memb_addr[mt] = (haddr_t)MAX(mt - 1, 0) * (HADDR_MAX / 10);
+            }
+        }
+        else {
+            error_msg("Bad multi_letters list\n");
+            return FAIL;
         }
 
         if (H5Pset_fapl_multi(fapl, memb_map, memb_fapl, memb_name, memb_addr, FALSE) < 0)
@@ -1755,8 +1765,10 @@ h5_fileaccess(void)
 static void
 init_prefix(char **prfx, size_t prfx_len)
 {
-    HDassert(prfx_len > 0);
-    *prfx = (char *)HDcalloc(prfx_len, 1);
+    if(prfx_len > 0)
+        *prfx = (char *)HDcalloc(prfx_len, 1);
+    else
+        error_msg("unable to allocate prefix buffer\n");
 }
 
 
diff --git a/tools/h5dump/h5dump_ddl.c b/tools/h5dump/h5dump_ddl.c
index ecfd82a..8dc96ce 100644
--- a/tools/h5dump/h5dump_ddl.c
+++ b/tools/h5dump/h5dump_ddl.c
@@ -10,8 +10,6 @@
  * If you do not have access to either file, you may request a copy from     *
  * help@hdfgroup.org.                                                        *
  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
-#include <stdio.h>
-#include <stdlib.h>
 
 #include "H5private.h"
 #include "h5tools.h"
@@ -249,17 +247,19 @@ dump_all_cb(hid_t group, const char *name, const H5L_info_t *linfo, void H5_ATTR
 
                 /* Keep copy of prefix before iterating into group */
                 old_prefix = HDstrdup(prefix);
-                HDassert(old_prefix);
+                if (old_prefix) {
+                    /* Append group name to prefix */
+                    add_prefix(&prefix, &prefix_len, name);
 
-                /* Append group name to prefix */
-                add_prefix(&prefix, &prefix_len, name);
+                    /* Iterate into group */
+                    dump_function_table->dump_group_function(obj, name);
 
-                /* Iterate into group */
-                dump_function_table->dump_group_function(obj, name);
-
-                /* Restore old prefix name */
-                HDstrcpy(prefix, old_prefix);
-                HDfree(old_prefix);
+                    /* Restore old prefix name */
+                    HDstrcpy(prefix, old_prefix);
+                    HDfree(old_prefix);
+                }
+                else
+                    error_msg("warning: null prefix\n");
 
                 /* Close group */
                 H5Gclose(obj);
@@ -388,131 +388,137 @@ dump_all_cb(hid_t group, const char *name, const H5L_info_t *linfo, void H5_ATTR
 
         switch(linfo->type) {
         case H5L_TYPE_SOFT:
-            targbuf = (char *)HDmalloc(linfo->u.val_size);
-            HDassert(targbuf);
-
-            ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-
-            /* Render the element */
-            h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-            h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "%s \"%s\" %s",
-                    h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkbegin, name,
-                    h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkblockbegin);
-            h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
-
-            ctx.indent_level++;
-
-            if(H5Lget_val(group, name, targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0) {
-                error_msg("unable to get link value\n");
+            if((targbuf = (char *)HDmalloc(linfo->u.val_size)) == NULL) {
+                error_msg("unable to allocate buffer\n");
                 h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
                 ret = FAIL;
             }
             else {
-                /* print the value of a soft link */
-                /* Standard DDL: no modification */
                 ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-                h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
                 /* Render the element */
                 h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-                h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "LINKTARGET \"%s\"", targbuf);
+                h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "%s \"%s\" %s",
+                        h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkbegin, name,
+                        h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkblockbegin);
                 h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
-            }
 
-            ctx.indent_level--;
+                ctx.indent_level++;
 
-            ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-            h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+                if(H5Lget_val(group, name, targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0) {
+                    error_msg("unable to get link value\n");
+                    h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
+                    ret = FAIL;
+                }
+                else {
+                    /* print the value of a soft link */
+                    /* Standard DDL: no modification */
+                    ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+                    h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-            /* Render the element */
-            h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-            if(HDstrlen(h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkblockend)) {
-                h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "%s", h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkblockend);
-                if(HDstrlen(h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkend))
-                    h5tools_str_append(&buffer, " ");
-            }
-            if(HDstrlen(h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkend))
-                h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "%s", h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkend);
-            h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+                    /* Render the element */
+                    h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+                    h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "LINKTARGET \"%s\"", targbuf);
+                    h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+                }
 
-            HDfree(targbuf);
-            break;
+                ctx.indent_level--;
 
-        case H5L_TYPE_EXTERNAL:
-            targbuf = (char *)HDmalloc(linfo->u.val_size);
-            HDassert(targbuf);
+                ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+                h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-            ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-            h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+                /* Render the element */
+                h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+                if(HDstrlen(h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkblockend)) {
+                    h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "%s", h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkblockend);
+                    if(HDstrlen(h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkend))
+                        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, " ");
+                }
+                if(HDstrlen(h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkend))
+                    h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "%s", h5tools_dump_header_format->softlinkend);
+                h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
 
-            /* Render the element */
-            h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-            h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "%s \"%s\" %s",
-                    h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkbegin, name,
-                    h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkblockbegin);
-            h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+                HDfree(targbuf);
+            }
+            break;
 
-            if(H5Lget_val(group, name, targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0) {
-                indentation(dump_indent);
-                error_msg("unable to get external link value\n");
+        case H5L_TYPE_EXTERNAL:
+            if((targbuf = (char *)HDmalloc(linfo->u.val_size)) == NULL) {
+                error_msg("unable to allocate buffer\n");
                 h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
                 ret = FAIL;
-            } /* end if */
+            }
             else {
-                const char *filename;
-                const char *targname;
+                ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+                h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-                if(H5Lunpack_elink_val(targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, NULL, &filename, &targname) < 0) {
+                /* Render the element */
+                h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+                h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "%s \"%s\" %s",
+                        h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkbegin, name,
+                        h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkblockbegin);
+                h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+
+                if(H5Lget_val(group, name, targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0) {
                     indentation(dump_indent);
-                    error_msg("unable to unpack external link value\n");
+                    error_msg("unable to get external link value\n");
                     h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
                     ret = FAIL;
                 } /* end if */
                 else {
-                    ctx.indent_level++;
+                    const char *filename;
+                    const char *targname;
 
-                    ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-                    h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+                    if(H5Lunpack_elink_val(targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, NULL, &filename, &targname) < 0) {
+                        indentation(dump_indent);
+                        error_msg("unable to unpack external link value\n");
+                        h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
+                        ret = FAIL;
+                    } /* end if */
+                    else {
+                        ctx.indent_level++;
 
-                    /* Render the element */
-                    h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-                    h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "TARGETFILE \"%s\"", filename);
-                    h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+                        ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+                        h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-                    ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-                    h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+                        /* Render the element */
+                        h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+                        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "TARGETFILE \"%s\"", filename);
+                        h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
 
-                    /* Render the element */
-                    h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-                    h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "TARGETPATH \"%s\"", targname);
-                    h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+                        ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+                        h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-                    /* dump the external link */
-                    dump_extlink(group, name, targname);
-                    ctx.indent_level--;
+                        /* Render the element */
+                        h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+                        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "TARGETPATH \"%s\"", targname);
+                        h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+
+                        /* dump the external link */
+                        dump_extlink(group, name, targname);
+                        ctx.indent_level--;
+                    } /* end else */
                 } /* end else */
-            } /* end else */
-            ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-            h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+                ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+                h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-            /* Render the element */
-            h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-            if(HDstrlen(h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkblockend)) {
-                h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "%s", h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkblockend);
+                /* Render the element */
+                h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+                if(HDstrlen(h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkblockend)) {
+                    h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "%s", h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkblockend);
+                    if(HDstrlen(h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkend))
+                        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, " ");
+                }
                 if(HDstrlen(h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkend))
-                    h5tools_str_append(&buffer, " ");
-            }
-            if(HDstrlen(h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkend))
-                h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "%s", h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkend);
-            h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+                    h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "%s", h5tools_dump_header_format->extlinkend);
+                h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
 
-            HDfree(targbuf);
+                HDfree(targbuf);
+            }
             break;
 
         case H5L_TYPE_ERROR:
         case H5L_TYPE_MAX:
-            HDassert(0);
-            /* fall through */
         case H5L_TYPE_HARD:
         default:
             ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
@@ -1062,7 +1068,7 @@ dump_dataset(hid_t did, const char *name, struct subset_t *sset)
             case H5T_NO_CLASS:
             case H5T_NCLASSES:
             default:
-                HDassert(0);
+                error_msg("invalid H5TCLASS type\n");
                 break;
             } /* end switch */
         } /* for(u=0; u<data_loop; u++) */
@@ -1924,8 +1930,6 @@ handle_links(hid_t fid, const char *links, void H5_ATTR_UNUSED * data, int H5_AT
 
         case H5L_TYPE_ERROR:
         case H5L_TYPE_MAX:
-            HDassert(0);
-            /* fall through */
         case H5L_TYPE_HARD:
         default:
             begin_obj(h5tools_dump_header_format->udlinkbegin, links, h5tools_dump_header_format->udlinkblockbegin);
diff --git a/tools/h5dump/h5dump_xml.c b/tools/h5dump/h5dump_xml.c
index 089419b..76819f0 100644
--- a/tools/h5dump/h5dump_xml.c
+++ b/tools/h5dump/h5dump_xml.c
@@ -197,18 +197,22 @@ xml_dump_all_cb(hid_t group, const char *name, const H5L_info_t *linfo, void H5_
                 char *old_prefix; /* Pointer to previous prefix */
 
                 /* Keep copy of prefix before iterating into group */
-                old_prefix = HDstrdup(prefix);
-                HDassert(old_prefix);
-
-                /* Append group name to prefix */
-                add_prefix(&prefix, &prefix_len, name);
+                if((old_prefix = HDstrdup(prefix)) == NULL)  {
+                    error_msg("unable to allocate buffer\n");
+                    h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
+                    ret = FAIL;
+                }
+                else {
+                    /* Append group name to prefix */
+                    add_prefix(&prefix, &prefix_len, name);
 
-                /* Iterate into group */
-                dump_function_table->dump_group_function(obj, name);
+                    /* Iterate into group */
+                    dump_function_table->dump_group_function(obj, name);
 
-                /* Restore old prefix name */
-                HDstrcpy(prefix, old_prefix);
-                HDfree(old_prefix);
+                    /* Restore old prefix name */
+                    HDstrcpy(prefix, old_prefix);
+                    HDfree(old_prefix);
+                }
 
                 /* Close group */
                 H5Gclose(obj);
@@ -359,161 +363,167 @@ xml_dump_all_cb(hid_t group, const char *name, const H5L_info_t *linfo, void H5_
 
         switch(linfo->type) {
         case H5L_TYPE_SOFT:
-            targbuf = (char *)HDmalloc(linfo->u.val_size);
-            HDassert(targbuf);
-
-            if(H5Lget_val(group, name, targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0) {
-                error_msg("unable to get link value\n");
+            if((targbuf = (char *)HDmalloc(linfo->u.val_size)) == NULL)  {
+                error_msg("unable to allocate buffer\n");
                 h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
                 ret = FAIL;
             }
             else {
-                /* print the value of a soft link */
-                /* XML */
-                char linkxid[100];
-                char parentxid[100];
-                char targetxid[100];
-                char *t_prefix = xml_escape_the_name(HDstrcmp(prefix,"") ? prefix : "/");
-                char *t_name = xml_escape_the_name(name);
-                char *t_targbuf = xml_escape_the_name(targbuf);
-                char *t_obj_path = xml_escape_the_name(obj_path);
-                char *t_link_path;
-                int res;
-
-                t_link_path = (char *)HDmalloc(HDstrlen(prefix) + linfo->u.val_size + 1);
-                if(targbuf[0] == '/')
-                    HDstrcpy(t_link_path, targbuf);
+                if(H5Lget_val(group, name, targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0) {
+                    error_msg("unable to get link value\n");
+                    h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
+                    ret = FAIL;
+                }
                 else {
-                    HDstrcpy(t_link_path, prefix);
-                    HDstrcat(HDstrcat(t_link_path, "/"), targbuf);
-                } /* end else */
+                    /* print the value of a soft link */
+                    /* XML */
+                    char linkxid[100];
+                    char parentxid[100];
+                    char targetxid[100];
+                    char *t_prefix = xml_escape_the_name(HDstrcmp(prefix,"") ? prefix : "/");
+                    char *t_name = xml_escape_the_name(name);
+                    char *t_targbuf = xml_escape_the_name(targbuf);
+                    char *t_obj_path = xml_escape_the_name(obj_path);
+                    char *t_link_path;
+                    int res;
 
-                /* Create OBJ-XIDs for the parent and object */
-                xml_name_to_XID(t_obj_path, linkxid, (int)sizeof(linkxid), 1);
-                xml_name_to_XID(prefix, parentxid, (int)sizeof(parentxid), 1);
+                    t_link_path = (char *)HDmalloc(HDstrlen(prefix) + linfo->u.val_size + 1);
+                    if(targbuf[0] == '/')
+                        HDstrcpy(t_link_path, targbuf);
+                    else {
+                        HDstrcpy(t_link_path, prefix);
+                        HDstrcat(HDstrcat(t_link_path, "/"), targbuf);
+                    } /* end else */
 
-                /* Try to create an OBJ-XID for the object pointed to */
-                res = xml_name_to_XID(t_link_path, targetxid, (int)sizeof(targetxid), 0);
-                if (res == 0) {
-                    /* target obj found */
-                    ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-                    h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+                    /* Create OBJ-XIDs for the parent and object */
+                    xml_name_to_XID(t_obj_path, linkxid, (int)sizeof(linkxid), 1);
+                    xml_name_to_XID(prefix, parentxid, (int)sizeof(parentxid), 1);
 
-                    /* Render the element */
-                    h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-                    h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sSoftLink LinkName=\"%s\" "
-                            "OBJ-XID=\"%s\" "
-                            "H5SourcePath=\"%s\" "
-                            "TargetPath=\"%s\" TargetObj=\"%s\" "
-                            "Parents=\"%s\" H5ParentPaths=\"%s\" />",
-                            xmlnsprefix,
-                            t_name,         /* LinkName */
-                            linkxid,        /* OBJ-XID */
-                            t_obj_path,     /* H5SourcePath */
-                            t_targbuf,      /* TargetPath */
-                            targetxid,      /* TargetObj */
-                            parentxid,      /* Parents */
-                            t_prefix);      /* H5ParentPaths */
-                    h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
-                }
-                else {
-                    /* dangling link -- omit from xml attributes */
-                    ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-                    h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+                    /* Try to create an OBJ-XID for the object pointed to */
+                    res = xml_name_to_XID(t_link_path, targetxid, (int)sizeof(targetxid), 0);
+                    if (res == 0) {
+                        /* target obj found */
+                        ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+                        h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-                    /* Render the element */
-                    h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-                    h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sSoftLink LinkName=\"%s\" "
-                            "OBJ-XID=\"%s\" "
-                            "H5SourcePath=\"%s\" "
-                            "TargetPath=\"%s\"  "
-                            "Parents=\"%s\" H5ParentPaths=\"%s\" />",
-                            xmlnsprefix,
-                            t_name,         /* LinkName */
-                            linkxid,        /* OBJ-XID */
-                            t_obj_path,     /* H5SourcePath */
-                            t_targbuf,      /* TargetPath */
-                            parentxid,      /* Parents */
-                            t_prefix);      /* H5ParentPaths */
-                    h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+                        /* Render the element */
+                        h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+                        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sSoftLink LinkName=\"%s\" "
+                                "OBJ-XID=\"%s\" "
+                                "H5SourcePath=\"%s\" "
+                                "TargetPath=\"%s\" TargetObj=\"%s\" "
+                                "Parents=\"%s\" H5ParentPaths=\"%s\" />",
+                                xmlnsprefix,
+                                t_name,         /* LinkName */
+                                linkxid,        /* OBJ-XID */
+                                t_obj_path,     /* H5SourcePath */
+                                t_targbuf,      /* TargetPath */
+                                targetxid,      /* TargetObj */
+                                parentxid,      /* Parents */
+                                t_prefix);      /* H5ParentPaths */
+                        h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+                    }
+                    else {
+                        /* dangling link -- omit from xml attributes */
+                        ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+                        h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+
+                        /* Render the element */
+                        h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+                        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sSoftLink LinkName=\"%s\" "
+                                "OBJ-XID=\"%s\" "
+                                "H5SourcePath=\"%s\" "
+                                "TargetPath=\"%s\"  "
+                                "Parents=\"%s\" H5ParentPaths=\"%s\" />",
+                                xmlnsprefix,
+                                t_name,         /* LinkName */
+                                linkxid,        /* OBJ-XID */
+                                t_obj_path,     /* H5SourcePath */
+                                t_targbuf,      /* TargetPath */
+                                parentxid,      /* Parents */
+                                t_prefix);      /* H5ParentPaths */
+                        h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+                    }
+
+                    HDfree(t_prefix);
+                    HDfree(t_name);
+                    HDfree(t_targbuf);
+                    HDfree(t_obj_path);
+                    HDfree(t_link_path);
                 }
 
-                HDfree(t_prefix);
-                HDfree(t_name);
-                HDfree(t_targbuf);
-                HDfree(t_obj_path);
-                HDfree(t_link_path);
+                HDfree(targbuf);
             }
-
-            HDfree(targbuf);
             break;
 
         case H5L_TYPE_EXTERNAL:
-            targbuf = (char *)HDmalloc(linfo->u.val_size);
-            HDassert(targbuf);
-
-            if(H5Lget_val(group, name, targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0) {
-                error_msg("unable to get external link value\n");
+            if((targbuf = (char *)HDmalloc(linfo->u.val_size)) == NULL)  {
+                error_msg("unable to allocate buffer\n");
                 h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
                 ret = FAIL;
-            } /* end if */
+            }
             else {
-                const char *filename;
-                const char *targname;
-
-                if(H5Lunpack_elink_val(targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, NULL, &filename, &targname) < 0) {
-                    error_msg("unable to unpack external link value\n");
+                if(H5Lget_val(group, name, targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0) {
+                    error_msg("unable to get external link value\n");
                     h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
                     ret = FAIL;
                 } /* end if */
                 else {
-                    char linkxid[100];
-                    char parentxid[100];
-                    char *t_name = xml_escape_the_name(name);
-                    char *t_prefix = xml_escape_the_name(HDstrcmp(prefix,"") ? prefix : "/");
-                    char *t_obj_path = xml_escape_the_name(obj_path);
-                    char *t_filename = xml_escape_the_name(filename);
-                    char *t_targname = xml_escape_the_name(targname);
+                    const char *filename;
+                    const char *targname;
 
-                    /* Create OBJ-XIDs for the parent and object */
-                    xml_name_to_XID(t_obj_path, linkxid, (int)sizeof(linkxid), 1);
-                    xml_name_to_XID(prefix, parentxid, (int)sizeof(parentxid), 1);
+                    if(H5Lunpack_elink_val(targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, NULL, &filename, &targname) < 0) {
+                        error_msg("unable to unpack external link value\n");
+                        h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
+                        ret = FAIL;
+                    } /* end if */
+                    else {
+                        char linkxid[100];
+                        char parentxid[100];
+                        char *t_name = xml_escape_the_name(name);
+                        char *t_prefix = xml_escape_the_name(HDstrcmp(prefix,"") ? prefix : "/");
+                        char *t_obj_path = xml_escape_the_name(obj_path);
+                        char *t_filename = xml_escape_the_name(filename);
+                        char *t_targname = xml_escape_the_name(targname);
 
-                    ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-                    h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+                        /* Create OBJ-XIDs for the parent and object */
+                        xml_name_to_XID(t_obj_path, linkxid, (int)sizeof(linkxid), 1);
+                        xml_name_to_XID(prefix, parentxid, (int)sizeof(parentxid), 1);
 
-                    /* Render the element */
-                    h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-                    h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sExternalLink LinkName=\"%s\" "
-                            "OBJ-XID=\"%s\" "
-                            "H5SourcePath=\"%s\" "
-                            "TargetFilename=\"%s\"  "
-                            "TargetPath=\"%s\"  "
-                            "Parents=\"%s\" H5ParentPaths=\"%s\" />",
-                            xmlnsprefix,
-                            t_name,         /* LinkName */
-                            linkxid,        /* OBJ-XID */
-                            t_obj_path,     /* H5SourcePath */
-                            filename,       /* TargetFilename */
-                            targname,       /* TargetPath*/
-                            parentxid,      /* Parents */
-                            t_prefix);      /* H5ParentPaths */
-                    h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+                        ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+                        h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-                    HDfree(t_prefix);
-                    HDfree(t_name);
-                    HDfree(t_filename);
-                    HDfree(t_targname);
-                    HDfree(t_obj_path);
+                        /* Render the element */
+                        h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+                        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sExternalLink LinkName=\"%s\" "
+                                "OBJ-XID=\"%s\" "
+                                "H5SourcePath=\"%s\" "
+                                "TargetFilename=\"%s\"  "
+                                "TargetPath=\"%s\"  "
+                                "Parents=\"%s\" H5ParentPaths=\"%s\" />",
+                                xmlnsprefix,
+                                t_name,         /* LinkName */
+                                linkxid,        /* OBJ-XID */
+                                t_obj_path,     /* H5SourcePath */
+                                filename,       /* TargetFilename */
+                                targname,       /* TargetPath*/
+                                parentxid,      /* Parents */
+                                t_prefix);      /* H5ParentPaths */
+                        h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+
+                        HDfree(t_prefix);
+                        HDfree(t_name);
+                        HDfree(t_filename);
+                        HDfree(t_targname);
+                        HDfree(t_obj_path);
+                    } /* end else */
                 } /* end else */
-            } /* end else */
-            HDfree(targbuf);
+                HDfree(targbuf);
+            }
             break;
 
         case H5L_TYPE_ERROR:
         case H5L_TYPE_MAX:
-            HDassert(0);
-            /* fall through */
         case H5L_TYPE_HARD:
         default:
             {
@@ -673,7 +683,6 @@ xml_escape_the_name(const char *str)
     for (i = 0; i < len; i++) {
         size_t esc_len;
 
-        HDassert(ncp_len);
         if (*cp == '\'') {
             HDstrncpy(ncp, apos, ncp_len);
             esc_len = HDstrlen(apos);
@@ -767,7 +776,6 @@ xml_escape_the_string(const char *str, int slen)
     for (i = 0; i < len; i++) {
         size_t esc_len;
 
-        HDassert(ncp_len);
         if (*cp == '\\') {
             *ncp++ = '\\';
             *ncp = *cp;
@@ -1513,8 +1521,6 @@ xml_print_datatype(hid_t type, unsigned in_group)
 
             case H5T_NO_CLASS:
             case H5T_NCLASSES:
-                HDassert(0);
-                /* fall through */
             default:
                 ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
                 h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
@@ -1967,22 +1973,26 @@ xml_dump_data(hid_t obj_id, int obj_data, struct subset_t H5_ATTR_UNUSED * sset,
                 for (i = 0; i < ndims; i++)
                     nelmts *= size[i];
 
-                buf = HDmalloc((size_t)(nelmts * MAX(H5Tget_size(type), H5Tget_size(p_type))));
-                HDassert(buf);
-
-                if (H5Aread(obj_id, p_type, buf) >= 0) {
-                    h5tools_context_t datactx;
-                    HDmemset(&datactx, 0, sizeof(datactx));
-                    datactx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-                    datactx.indent_level = ctx.indent_level;
-                    datactx.cur_column = ctx.cur_column;
-                    status = h5tools_dump_mem(rawoutstream, outputformat, &datactx, obj_id, p_type, space, buf);
+                if((buf = HDmalloc((size_t)(nelmts * MAX(H5Tget_size(type), H5Tget_size(p_type))))) == NULL)  {
+                    error_msg("unable to allocate buffer\n");
+                    h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
+                    status = FAIL;
                 }
-                /* Reclaim any VL memory, if necessary */
-                if (vl_data)
-                    H5Dvlen_reclaim(p_type, space, H5P_DEFAULT, buf);
+                else {
+                    if (H5Aread(obj_id, p_type, buf) >= 0) {
+                        h5tools_context_t datactx;
+                        HDmemset(&datactx, 0, sizeof(datactx));
+                        datactx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+                        datactx.indent_level = ctx.indent_level;
+                        datactx.cur_column = ctx.cur_column;
+                        status = h5tools_dump_mem(rawoutstream, outputformat, &datactx, obj_id, p_type, space, buf);
+                    }
+                    /* Reclaim any VL memory, if necessary */
+                    if (vl_data)
+                        H5Dvlen_reclaim(p_type, space, H5P_DEFAULT, buf);
 
-                HDfree(buf);
+                    HDfree(buf);
+                }
             }
             H5Tclose(p_type);
             H5Sclose(space);
@@ -2238,8 +2248,6 @@ xml_dump_attr(hid_t attr, const char *attr_name, const H5A_info_t H5_ATTR_UNUSED
                 break;
             case H5T_NO_CLASS:
             case H5T_NCLASSES:
-                HDassert(0);
-                /* fall through */
             default:
                 ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
                 h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
@@ -3671,8 +3679,6 @@ xml_dump_fill_value(hid_t dcpl, hid_t type)
             break;
         case H5T_NO_CLASS:
         case H5T_NCLASSES:
-            HDassert(0);
-            /* fall through */
         case H5T_STRING:
         case H5T_REFERENCE:
         default:
@@ -3811,91 +3817,95 @@ xml_dump_dataset(hid_t did, const char *name, struct subset_t H5_ATTR_UNUSED * s
 
     /* Print information about storage layout */
     if (H5D_CHUNKED == H5Pget_layout(dcpl)) {
-        maxdims = H5Sget_simple_extent_ndims(space);
-        HDassert(maxdims >= 0);
-        chsize = (hsize_t *)HDmalloc((size_t)maxdims * sizeof(hsize_t));
-        ctx.indent_level++;
-        dump_indent += COL;
+        if((maxdims = H5Sget_simple_extent_ndims(space)) < 0)  {
+            error_msg("unable to get maxdims\n");
+            h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
+        }
+        else {
+            chsize = (hsize_t *)HDmalloc((size_t)maxdims * sizeof(hsize_t));
+            ctx.indent_level++;
+            dump_indent += COL;
 
-        ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-        h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+            ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+            h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-        /* Render the element */
-        h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sStorageLayout>", xmlnsprefix);
-        h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
-        ctx.indent_level++;
-        dump_indent += COL;
+            /* Render the element */
+            h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+            h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sStorageLayout>", xmlnsprefix);
+            h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+            ctx.indent_level++;
+            dump_indent += COL;
 
-        ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-        h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+            ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+            h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-        /* Render the element */
-        h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sChunkedLayout ", xmlnsprefix);
-        ndims = H5Pget_chunk(dcpl, maxdims, chsize);
-        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "Ndims=\"%d\">", ndims);
-        h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+            /* Render the element */
+            h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+            h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sChunkedLayout ", xmlnsprefix);
+            ndims = H5Pget_chunk(dcpl, maxdims, chsize);
+            h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "Ndims=\"%d\">", ndims);
+            h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
 
-        ctx.indent_level++;
-        dump_indent += COL;
+            ctx.indent_level++;
+            dump_indent += COL;
 
-        for (i = 0; i < ndims; i++) {
+            for (i = 0; i < ndims; i++) {
+
+                ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+                h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+
+                /* Render the element */
+                h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+                h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sChunkDimension DimSize=\"%" H5_PRINTF_LL_WIDTH "u\" />", xmlnsprefix, chsize[i]);
+                h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+            }
 
             ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
             h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
             /* Render the element */
             h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-            h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sChunkDimension DimSize=\"%" H5_PRINTF_LL_WIDTH "u\" />", xmlnsprefix, chsize[i]);
+            h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sRequiredFilter>", xmlnsprefix);
             h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
-        }
-
-        ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-        h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
-
-        /* Render the element */
-        h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "<%sRequiredFilter>", xmlnsprefix);
-        h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
 
-        ctx.indent_level++;
-        dump_indent += COL;
-        check_filters(dcpl);
-        ctx.indent_level--;
-        dump_indent -= COL;
+            ctx.indent_level++;
+            dump_indent += COL;
+            check_filters(dcpl);
+            ctx.indent_level--;
+            dump_indent -= COL;
 
-        ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-        h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+            ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+            h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-        /* Render the element */
-        h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "</%sRequiredFilter>", xmlnsprefix);
-        h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+            /* Render the element */
+            h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+            h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "</%sRequiredFilter>", xmlnsprefix);
+            h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
 
-        ctx.indent_level--;
-        dump_indent -= COL;
+            ctx.indent_level--;
+            dump_indent -= COL;
 
-        ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-        h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+            ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+            h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-        /* Render the element */
-        h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "</%sChunkedLayout>", xmlnsprefix);
-        h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
-        ctx.indent_level--;
-        dump_indent -= COL;
+            /* Render the element */
+            h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+            h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "</%sChunkedLayout>", xmlnsprefix);
+            h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+            ctx.indent_level--;
+            dump_indent -= COL;
 
-        ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-        h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
+            ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+            h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
 
-        /* Render the element */
-        h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
-        h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "</%sStorageLayout>", xmlnsprefix);
-        h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
-        ctx.indent_level--;
-        dump_indent -= COL;
-        HDfree(chsize);
+            /* Render the element */
+            h5tools_str_reset(&buffer);
+            h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "</%sStorageLayout>", xmlnsprefix);
+            h5tools_render_element(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, &buffer, &curr_pos, (size_t)outputformat->line_ncols, (hsize_t)0, (hsize_t)0);
+            ctx.indent_level--;
+            dump_indent -= COL;
+            HDfree(chsize);
+        }
     }
     else if (H5D_CONTIGUOUS == H5Pget_layout(dcpl)) {
         ctx.indent_level++;
@@ -3983,8 +3993,6 @@ xml_dump_dataset(hid_t did, const char *name, struct subset_t H5_ATTR_UNUSED * s
             h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "FillIfSet");
             break;
         case H5D_FILL_TIME_ERROR:
-            HDassert(0);
-            /* fall through */
         default:
             h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "?");
             break;
@@ -4004,8 +4012,6 @@ xml_dump_dataset(hid_t did, const char *name, struct subset_t H5_ATTR_UNUSED * s
             break;
         case H5D_ALLOC_TIME_DEFAULT:
         case H5D_ALLOC_TIME_ERROR:
-            HDassert(0);
-            /* fall through */
         default:
             h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "?");
             break;
@@ -4232,9 +4238,6 @@ xml_dump_dataset(hid_t did, const char *name, struct subset_t H5_ATTR_UNUSED * s
             break;
         case H5T_NO_CLASS:
         case H5T_NCLASSES:
-            HDassert(0);
-            /* fall through */
-
         default:
             ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
             h5tools_simple_prefix(rawoutstream, outputformat, &ctx, (hsize_t)0, 0);
diff --git a/tools/h5jam/h5jam.c b/tools/h5jam/h5jam.c
index b15a18f..269ca89 100644
--- a/tools/h5jam/h5jam.c
+++ b/tools/h5jam/h5jam.c
@@ -76,13 +76,13 @@ usage (const char *prog)
     HDfprintf (stdout,
     "Adds user block to front of an HDF5 file and creates a new concatenated file.\n");
     HDfprintf (stdout, "\n");
-    HDfprintf (stdout, 
+    HDfprintf (stdout,
     "OPTIONS\n");
-    HDfprintf (stdout, 
+    HDfprintf (stdout,
     "  -i in_file.h5    Specifies the input HDF5 file.\n");
-    HDfprintf (stdout, 
+    HDfprintf (stdout,
     "  -u in_user_file  Specifies the file to be inserted into the user block.\n");
-    HDfprintf (stdout, 
+    HDfprintf (stdout,
     "                   Can be any file format except an HDF5 format.\n");
     HDfprintf (stdout,
     "  -o out_file.h5   Specifies the output HDF5 file.\n");
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ main (int argc, const char *argv[])
         HDfree (input_file);
     if(output_file)
         HDfree (output_file);
-    
+
     if(ufid >= 0)
         HDclose (ufid);
     if(h5fid >= 0)
diff --git a/tools/h5jam/h5unjam.c b/tools/h5jam/h5unjam.c
index 8f6b686..4cc0c70 100644
--- a/tools/h5jam/h5unjam.c
+++ b/tools/h5jam/h5unjam.c
@@ -135,28 +135,28 @@ static int
 parse_command_line(int argc, const char *argv[])
 {
     int opt = FALSE;
-	
+
    /* parse command line options */
     while ((opt = get_option(argc, argv, s_opts, l_opts)) != EOF) {
         switch((char)opt) {
             case 'o':
                 output_file = HDstrdup(opt_arg);
-				if (output_file)
-				    h5tools_set_data_output_file(output_file, 1);
-	            break;
+                if (output_file)
+                    h5tools_set_data_output_file(output_file, 1);
+                break;
 
             case 'i':
                 input_file = HDstrdup(opt_arg);
-				if (input_file)
-   				    h5tools_set_input_file(input_file, 1);
-	            break;;
+                if (input_file)
+                    h5tools_set_input_file(input_file, 1);
+                break;;
 
             case 'u':
                 ub_file = HDstrdup(opt_arg);
-				if (ub_file)
-				    h5tools_set_output_file(ub_file, 1);
-				else 
-				    rawoutstream = stdout;			
+                if (ub_file)
+                    h5tools_set_output_file(ub_file, 1);
+                else
+                    rawoutstream = stdout;
                 break;
 
             case 'd':
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ parse_command_line(int argc, const char *argv[])
     }
 
     return EXIT_SUCCESS;
-    
+
 done:
     if(input_file)
         HDfree(input_file);
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ main(int argc, const char *argv[])
         h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
         goto done;
     }
-  
+
     testval = H5Fis_hdf5(input_file);
 
     if (testval <= 0) {
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ main(int argc, const char *argv[])
             error_msg("unable to open output HDF5 file \"%s\"\n", input_file);
             h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
             goto done;
-    } 
+    }
 
     /* copy from 0 to 'usize - 1' into ufid  */
     if (!do_delete) {
@@ -323,18 +323,18 @@ main(int argc, const char *argv[])
         h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
         goto done;
     }
- 
+
 done:
     if(input_file)
         HDfree(input_file);
-		
+
     if(output_file)
         HDfree(output_file);
-		
+
     if(ub_file) {
         HDfree(ub_file);
     }
-	   
+
     h5tools_close();
 
     return h5tools_getstatus();
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ copy_to_file( FILE *infid, FILE *ofid, ssize_t _where, ssize_t how_much )
         else
             bytes_in = how_much;
 
-			/* Seek to correct position in input file */
+            /* Seek to correct position in input file */
         HDfseek(infid, from, SEEK_SET);
 
         /* Read data to buffer */
@@ -396,11 +396,11 @@ copy_to_file( FILE *infid, FILE *ofid, ssize_t _where, ssize_t how_much )
         to += bytes_read;
 
        /* Write nchars bytes to output file */
-		bytes_wrote = HDfwrite(buf, (size_t)1, bytes_read, ofid);
-		if(bytes_wrote != bytes_read || (0 == bytes_wrote && HDferror(ofid))) { /* error */
-			ret_value = -1;
-			goto done;
-		} /* end if */
+        bytes_wrote = HDfwrite(buf, (size_t)1, bytes_read, ofid);
+        if(bytes_wrote != bytes_read || (0 == bytes_wrote && HDferror(ofid))) { /* error */
+            ret_value = -1;
+            goto done;
+        } /* end if */
     } /* end while */
 
 done:
diff --git a/tools/h5ls/h5ls.c b/tools/h5ls/h5ls.c
index a58b96b..e81a8eb 100644
--- a/tools/h5ls/h5ls.c
+++ b/tools/h5ls/h5ls.c
@@ -1618,9 +1618,9 @@ list_attr(hid_t obj, const char *attr_name, const H5A_info_t H5_ATTR_UNUSED *ain
 
         if(space_type != H5S_NULL && space_type != H5S_NO_CLASS) {
             if(hexdump_g)
-            p_type = H5Tcopy(type);
+                p_type = H5Tcopy(type);
             else
-            p_type = H5Tget_native_type(type, H5T_DIR_DEFAULT);
+                p_type = H5Tget_native_type(type, H5T_DIR_DEFAULT);
 
             if(p_type >= 0) {
                 /* VL data special information */
@@ -1630,23 +1630,22 @@ list_attr(hid_t obj, const char *attr_name, const H5A_info_t H5_ATTR_UNUSED *ain
                 if (h5tools_detect_vlen(p_type) == TRUE)
                     vl_data = TRUE;
 
-                temp_need= nelmts * MAX(H5Tget_size(type), H5Tget_size(p_type));
-                HDassert(temp_need == (hsize_t)((size_t)temp_need));
+                temp_need = nelmts * MAX(H5Tget_size(type), H5Tget_size(p_type));
                 need = (size_t)temp_need;
-                buf = HDmalloc(need);
-                HDassert(buf);
-                if(H5Aread(attr, p_type, buf) >= 0) {
-                    ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
-                    ctx.indent_level = 2;
-                    ctx.cur_column = (size_t)curr_pos;
-                    h5tools_dump_mem(rawoutstream, info, &ctx, attr, p_type, space, buf);
-                }
+                if((buf = HDmalloc(need)) != NULL) {
+                    if(H5Aread(attr, p_type, buf) >= 0) {
+                        ctx.need_prefix = TRUE;
+                        ctx.indent_level = 2;
+                        ctx.cur_column = (size_t)curr_pos;
+                        h5tools_dump_mem(rawoutstream, info, &ctx, attr, p_type, space, buf);
+                    }
 
-                /* Reclaim any VL memory, if necessary */
-                if (vl_data)
-                    H5Dvlen_reclaim(p_type, space, H5P_DEFAULT, buf);
+                    /* Reclaim any VL memory, if necessary */
+                    if (vl_data)
+                        H5Dvlen_reclaim(p_type, space, H5P_DEFAULT, buf);
 
-                HDfree(buf);
+                    HDfree(buf);
+                }
                 H5Tclose(p_type);
             } /* end if */
         }
@@ -1847,7 +1846,7 @@ dataset_list2(hid_t dset, const char H5_ATTR_UNUSED *name)
                 } /* end if */
                 break;
             default:
-                HDassert(0);
+                h5tools_str_append(&buffer, "layout information not available");
                 break;
         }
         /* Print total raw storage size */
diff --git a/tools/h5repack/h5repack.c b/tools/h5repack/h5repack.c
index 0ab5404..c8ff98e 100644
--- a/tools/h5repack/h5repack.c
+++ b/tools/h5repack/h5repack.c
@@ -11,10 +11,6 @@
  * help@hdfgroup.org.                                                        *
  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
 
-#include <stdlib.h>
-#include <string.h>
-#include <ctype.h>
-
 #include "H5private.h"
 #include "h5repack.h"
 #include "h5tools.h"
@@ -265,7 +261,6 @@ hid_t copy_named_datatype(hid_t type_in, hid_t fidout,
 
                 /* Check if this type is the one requested */
                 if (oinfo.addr == dt->addr_in) {
-                    HDassert(!dt_ret);
                     dt_ret = dt;
                 } /* end if */
             } /* end if */
diff --git a/tools/h5repack/h5repack_copy.c b/tools/h5repack/h5repack_copy.c
index b41f7be..93612e2 100644
--- a/tools/h5repack/h5repack_copy.c
+++ b/tools/h5repack/h5repack_copy.c
@@ -725,7 +725,6 @@ int do_copy_objects(hid_t fidin, hid_t fidout, trav_table_t *travt,
 
         switch (travt->objs[i].type) {
             case H5TRAV_TYPE_UNKNOWN:
-                HDassert(0);
                 break;
 
                 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1429,7 +1428,6 @@ static int copy_user_block(const char *infile, const char *outfile, hsize_t size
     int infid = -1, outfid = -1; /* File descriptors */
 
     /* User block must be any power of 2 equal to 512 or greater (512, 1024, 2048, etc.) */
-    HDassert(size > 0);
 
     /* Open files */
     if ((infid = HDopen(infile, O_RDONLY, 0)) < 0)
@@ -1527,6 +1525,7 @@ void print_user_block(const char *filename, hid_t fid)
 
     /* open file */
     if((fh = HDopen(filename, O_RDONLY, 0)) < 0) {
+        error_msg("failed to open file\n");
         HGOTO_ERROR(H5E_tools_g, H5E_tools_min_id_g, "HDopen failed");
     }
 
diff --git a/tools/h5repack/h5repack_filters.c b/tools/h5repack/h5repack_filters.c
index f265b8c..88178f6 100644
--- a/tools/h5repack/h5repack_filters.c
+++ b/tools/h5repack/h5repack_filters.c
@@ -32,11 +32,11 @@
  *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
-static int aux_find_obj(const char  *name,    /* object name from traverse list */
-                        pack_opt_t  *options, /* repack options */
-                        pack_info_t *obj)     /* (OUT) info about object to filter */
+static int aux_find_obj(const char* name, /* object name from traverse list */
+        pack_opt_t *options, /* repack options */
+        pack_info_t *obj /*OUT*/) /* info about object to filter */
 {
-    char        *pdest;
+    char         *pdest;
     int          result;
     unsigned int i;
 
@@ -69,9 +69,9 @@ static int aux_find_obj(const char  *name,    /* object name from traverse list
  *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
-static int aux_assign_obj(const char *name,    /* object name from traverse list */
-                         pack_opt_t  *options, /* repack options */
-                         pack_info_t *obj)     /* (OUT) info about object to filter */
+static int aux_assign_obj(const char* name, /* object name from traverse list */
+        pack_opt_t *options, /* repack options */
+        pack_info_t *obj /*OUT*/) /* info about object to filter */
 {
 
     int         idx, i;
@@ -184,19 +184,19 @@ static int aux_assign_obj(const char *name,    /* object name from traverse list
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
 
-int apply_filters(const char *name,       /* object name from traverse list */
-                  int         rank,       /* rank of dataset */
-                  hsize_t    *dims,       /* dimensions of dataset */
-                  size_t      msize,      /* size of type */
-                  hid_t       dcpl_id,    /* dataset creation property list */
-                  pack_opt_t *options,    /* repack options */
-                  int        *has_filter) /* (OUT) object NAME has a filter */
+int apply_filters(const char* name, /* object name from traverse list */
+        int rank, /* rank of dataset */
+        hsize_t *dims, /* dimensions of dataset */
+        size_t msize, /* size of type */
+        hid_t dcpl_id, /* dataset creation property list */
+        pack_opt_t *options, /* repack options */
+        int *has_filter) /* (OUT) object NAME has a filter */
 {
-    int          nfilters;   /* number of filters in DCPL */
-    hsize_t      chsize[64]; /* chunk size in elements */
+    int         nfilters; /* number of filters in DCPL */
+    hsize_t     chsize[64]; /* chunk size in elements */
     H5D_layout_t layout;
-    int          i;
-    pack_info_t  obj;
+    int         i;
+    pack_info_t obj;
 
     *has_filter = 0;
 
diff --git a/tools/h5repack/h5repack_refs.c b/tools/h5repack/h5repack_refs.c
index 89d0f76..4220091 100644
--- a/tools/h5repack/h5repack_refs.c
+++ b/tools/h5repack/h5repack_refs.c
@@ -189,8 +189,7 @@ int do_copy_refobjs(hid_t fidin,
                                     /* create the reference, -1 parameter for objects */
                                     if(H5Rcreate(&refbuf[u], fidout, refname, H5R_OBJECT, (hid_t)-1) < 0)
                                         HGOTO_ERROR(FAIL, H5E_tools_min_id_g, "H5Rcreate failed");
-                                    if(options->verbose)
-                                    {
+                                    if(options->verbose) {
                                         printf(FORMAT_OBJ,"dset",travt->objs[i].name );
                                         printf("object <%s> object reference created to <%s>\n",
                                             travt->objs[i].name,
@@ -278,8 +277,7 @@ int do_copy_refobjs(hid_t fidin,
                                         HGOTO_ERROR(FAIL, H5E_tools_min_id_g, "H5Rcreate failed");
                                     if(H5Sclose(region_id) < 0)
                                         HGOTO_ERROR(FAIL, H5E_tools_min_id_g, "H5Sclose failed");
-                                    if(options->verbose)
-                                    {
+                                    if(options->verbose) {
                                         printf(FORMAT_OBJ,"dset",travt->objs[i].name );
                                         printf("object <%s> region reference created to <%s>\n",
                                             travt->objs[i].name,
@@ -320,8 +318,6 @@ int do_copy_refobjs(hid_t fidin,
                             HGOTO_ERROR(FAIL, H5E_tools_min_id_g, "H5Dopen2 failed");
                     } /* end else */
 
-                    HDassert(dset_out != FAIL);
-
                     /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     * copy referenced objects in attributes
                     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/tools/lib/h5diff_dset.c b/tools/lib/h5diff_dset.c
index 1ac3d79..cf8b537 100644
--- a/tools/lib/h5diff_dset.c
+++ b/tools/lib/h5diff_dset.c
@@ -352,7 +352,6 @@ hsize_t diff_datasetid( hid_t did1,
             nelmts2 *= dims2[i];
 
         h5diffdebug3("nelmts: %ld - %ld\n", nelmts1, nelmts2);
-        HDassert(nelmts1 == nelmts2);
 
         if(tclass != H5T_ARRAY) {
             /*-----------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -453,7 +452,6 @@ hsize_t diff_datasetid( hid_t did1,
                     size = 1;
                 sm_size[i - 1] = MIN(dadims[i - 1], size);
                 sm_nbytes *= sm_size[i - 1];
-                HDassert(sm_nbytes > 0);
             } /* end for */
 
             /* malloc return code should be verified.
@@ -463,10 +461,10 @@ hsize_t diff_datasetid( hid_t did1,
              * that fails to address freeing other objects created here.
              * E.g., sm_space.
              */
-            sm_buf1 = HDmalloc((size_t)sm_nbytes);
-            HDassert(sm_buf1);
-            sm_buf2 = HDmalloc((size_t)sm_nbytes);
-            HDassert(sm_buf2);
+            if((sm_buf1 = HDmalloc((size_t)sm_nbytes)) == NULL)
+                goto error;
+            if((sm_buf2 = HDmalloc((size_t)sm_nbytes)) == NULL)
+                goto error;
 
             sm_nelmts = sm_nbytes / p_type_nbytes;
             sm_space = H5Screate_simple(1, &sm_nelmts, NULL);
@@ -676,7 +674,6 @@ int diff_can_type( hid_t       f_tid1, /* file data type */
     * check for non supported classes
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
-    HDassert(tclass1 == tclass2);
     switch (tclass1) {
         case H5T_TIME:
             if((options->m_verbose || options->m_list_not_cmp) && obj1_name && obj2_name) {
@@ -748,7 +745,6 @@ int diff_can_type( hid_t       f_tid1, /* file data type */
     * check for different dimensions
     *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
     */
-    HDassert(rank1 == rank2);
     for(i = 0; i<rank1; i++) {
         if(maxdim1 && maxdim2) {
             if(maxdim1[i] != maxdim2[i])
diff --git a/tools/lib/h5diff_util.c b/tools/lib/h5diff_util.c
index 0c02779..7a09ada 100644
--- a/tools/lib/h5diff_util.c
+++ b/tools/lib/h5diff_util.c
@@ -283,7 +283,6 @@ get_sign(H5T_sign_t sign)
             return "H5T_NSGN";
 
         default:
-            HDassert(0);
             return "unknown sign value";
     } /* end switch */
 }
@@ -340,7 +339,6 @@ get_class(H5T_class_t tclass)
         case H5T_NO_CLASS:
         case H5T_NCLASSES:
         default:
-            HDassert(0);
             return("Invalid class");
     } /* end switch */
 } /* end get_class() */
@@ -395,7 +393,10 @@ herr_t match_up_memsize (hid_t f_tid1_id, hid_t f_tid2_id,
             *m_size2 = H5Tget_size(*m_tid2);
         } /* end else */
     } /* end if */
-    HDassert((*m_size1) == (*m_size2));
+    if((*m_size1) != (*m_size2)) {
+        ret = FAIL;
+        goto out;
+    }
 
 out:
     return ret;
diff --git a/tools/lib/h5tools.c b/tools/lib/h5tools.c
index 159349a..62495f9 100644
--- a/tools/lib/h5tools.c
+++ b/tools/lib/h5tools.c
@@ -12,16 +12,10 @@
  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
 
 /*
- * Programmer:  Robb Matzke <matzke@llnl.gov>
- *              Thursday, July 23, 1998
- *
  * Purpose: A library for displaying the values of a dataset in a human
  *  readable format.
  */
 
-#include <stdio.h>
-#include <stdlib.h>
-
 #include "h5tools.h"
 #include "h5tools_dump.h"
 #include "h5tools_ref.h"
@@ -40,7 +34,7 @@ FILE       *rawinstream = NULL;        /* should initialize to stdin but gcc moa
 FILE       *rawoutstream = NULL;       /* should initialize to stdout but gcc moans about it */
 FILE       *rawerrorstream = NULL;     /* should initialize to stderr but gcc moans about it */
 int         bin_output;         /* binary output */
-int         bin_form;           /* binary form */
+int         bin_form = 0;       /* binary form, default NATIVE */
 int         region_output;      /* region output */
 int         oid_output;         /* oid output */
 int         data_output;        /* data output */
@@ -1289,13 +1283,13 @@ init_acc_pos(h5tools_context_t *ctx, hsize_t *dims)
     int i;
     unsigned j;
 
-    HDassert(ctx->ndims);
-
-    ctx->acc[ctx->ndims - 1] = 1;
-    for (i = ((int)ctx->ndims - 2); i >= 0; i--)
-        ctx->acc[i] = ctx->acc[i + 1] * dims[i + 1];
-    for (j = 0; j < ctx->ndims; j++)
-        ctx->pos[j] = 0;
+    if(ctx->ndims > 0) {
+        ctx->acc[ctx->ndims - 1] = 1;
+        for (i = ((int)ctx->ndims - 2); i >= 0; i--)
+            ctx->acc[i] = ctx->acc[i + 1] * dims[i + 1];
+        for (j = 0; j < ctx->ndims; j++)
+            ctx->pos[j] = 0;
+    }
 }
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1416,13 +1410,17 @@ render_bin_output(FILE *stream, hid_t container, hid_t tid, void *_mem,  hsize_t
                 memb = H5Tget_super(tid);
                 ndims = H5Tget_array_ndims(tid);
                 H5Tget_array_dims2(tid, dims);
-                HDassert(ndims >= 1 && ndims <= H5S_MAX_RANK);
-
-                /* calculate the number of array elements */
-                for (k = 0, nelmts = 1; k < ndims; k++) {
-                    temp_nelmts = nelmts;
-                    temp_nelmts *= dims[k];
-                    nelmts = (size_t) temp_nelmts;
+                if(ndims >= 1 && ndims <= H5S_MAX_RANK) {
+                    /* calculate the number of array elements */
+                    for (k = 0, nelmts = 1; k < ndims; k++) {
+                        temp_nelmts = nelmts;
+                        temp_nelmts *= dims[k];
+                        nelmts = (size_t) temp_nelmts;
+                    }
+                }
+                else {
+                    H5Tclose(memb);
+                    H5E_THROW(FAIL, H5E_tools_min_id_g, "calculate the number of array elements failed");
                 }
 
                 for (block_index = 0; block_index < block_nelmts; block_index++) {
@@ -1647,7 +1645,6 @@ render_bin_output_region_blocks(hid_t region_space, hid_t region_id,
     ndims = (unsigned)sndims;
 
     alloc_size = nblocks * ndims * 2 * sizeof(ptdata[0]);
-    HDassert(alloc_size == (hsize_t) ((size_t) alloc_size)); /*check for overflow*/
     if((ptdata = (hsize_t*) HDmalloc((size_t) alloc_size)) == NULL)
         HGOTO_ERROR(FALSE, H5E_tools_min_id_g, "Could not allocate buffer for ptdata");
 
diff --git a/tools/lib/h5tools_ref.c b/tools/lib/h5tools_ref.c
index 16a949d..6153f0c 100644
--- a/tools/lib/h5tools_ref.c
+++ b/tools/lib/h5tools_ref.c
@@ -107,19 +107,21 @@ static int
 init_ref_path_table(void)
 {
     /* Sanity check */
-    HDassert(thefile > 0);
-
-    /* Create skip list to store reference path information */
-    if((ref_path_table = H5SL_create(H5SL_TYPE_HADDR, NULL))==NULL)
+    if(thefile > 0) {
+        /* Create skip list to store reference path information */
+        if((ref_path_table = H5SL_create(H5SL_TYPE_HADDR, NULL))==NULL)
+            return (-1);
+
+        /* Iterate over objects in this file */
+        if(h5trav_visit(thefile, "/", TRUE, TRUE, init_ref_path_cb, NULL, NULL) < 0) {
+            error_msg("unable to construct reference path table\n");
+            h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
+        } /* end if */
+
+        return(0);
+    }
+    else
         return (-1);
-
-    /* Iterate over objects in this file */
-    if(h5trav_visit(thefile, "/", TRUE, TRUE, init_ref_path_cb, NULL, NULL) < 0) {
-        error_msg("unable to construct reference path table\n");
-        h5tools_setstatus(EXIT_FAILURE);
-    } /* end if */
-
-    return(0);
 }
 
 /*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -212,16 +214,17 @@ ref_path_table_put(const char *path, haddr_t objno)
 {
     ref_path_node_t *new_node;
 
-    HDassert(ref_path_table);
-    HDassert(path);
-
-    if((new_node = (ref_path_node_t *)HDmalloc(sizeof(ref_path_node_t))) == NULL)
-        return(-1);
+    if(ref_path_table && path) {
+        if((new_node = (ref_path_node_t *)HDmalloc(sizeof(ref_path_node_t))) == NULL)
+            return(-1);
 
-    new_node->objno = objno;
-    new_node->path = HDstrdup(path);
+        new_node->objno = objno;
+        new_node->path = HDstrdup(path);
 
-    return(H5SL_insert(ref_path_table, new_node, &(new_node->objno)));
+        return(H5SL_insert(ref_path_table, new_node, &(new_node->objno)));
+    }
+    else
+        return (-1);
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/tools/lib/h5tools_type.c b/tools/lib/h5tools_type.c
index ae7160b..ee58ccb 100644
--- a/tools/lib/h5tools_type.c
+++ b/tools/lib/h5tools_type.c
@@ -92,7 +92,6 @@ h5tools_get_little_endian_type(hid_t tid)
         case H5T_NO_CLASS:
         case H5T_NCLASSES:
         default:
-            HDassert(0);
             break;
 
     } /* end switch */
@@ -179,7 +178,6 @@ h5tools_get_big_endian_type(hid_t tid)
         case H5T_NO_CLASS:
         case H5T_NCLASSES:
         default:
-            HDassert(0);
             break;
     } /* end switch */
 
diff --git a/tools/lib/h5tools_utils.c b/tools/lib/h5tools_utils.c
index 4084be0..60d7732 100644
--- a/tools/lib/h5tools_utils.c
+++ b/tools/lib/h5tools_utils.c
@@ -12,20 +12,10 @@
  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
 
 /*
- * Programmer:  Bill Wendling <wendling@ncsa.uiuc.edu>
- *              Tuesday, 6. March 2001
- */
-
-/*
  * Portions of this work are derived from _Obfuscated C and Other Mysteries_,
  * by Don Libes, copyright (c) 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  */
 
-#include <ctype.h>
-#include <stdarg.h>
-#include <stdio.h>
-#include <stdlib.h>
-
 #include "h5tools.h"
 #include "h5tools_utils.h"
 #include "H5private.h"
@@ -618,7 +608,6 @@ find_objs_cb(const char *name, const H5O_info_t *oinfo, const char *already_seen
         case H5O_TYPE_UNKNOWN:
         case H5O_TYPE_NTYPES:
         default:
-            HDassert(0);
             break;
     } /* end switch */
 
@@ -787,8 +776,11 @@ H5tools_get_symlink_info(hid_t file_id, const char * linkpath, h5tool_link_info_
     } /* end if */
 
     /* trg_path must be freed out of this function when finished using */
-    link_info->trg_path = (char*)HDcalloc(link_info->linfo.u.val_size, sizeof(char));
-    HDassert(link_info->trg_path);
+    if((link_info->trg_path = (char*)HDcalloc(link_info->linfo.u.val_size, sizeof(char))) == NULL) {
+        if(link_info->opt.msg_mode == 1)
+            parallel_print("Warning: unable to allocate buffer for <%s>\n",linkpath);
+        goto out;
+    } /* end if */
 
     /* get link value */
     if(H5Lget_val(file_id, linkpath, (void *)link_info->trg_path, link_info->linfo.u.val_size, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0) {
diff --git a/tools/lib/h5trav.c b/tools/lib/h5trav.c
index df5ba5c..079a4ea 100644
--- a/tools/lib/h5trav.c
+++ b/tools/lib/h5trav.c
@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ trav_info_free(trav_info_t *info)
 
     if(info) {
         /* Free visited symbolic links path and file (if alloc) */
-        for(u=0; u < info->symlink_visited.nused; u++) 
+        for(u=0; u < info->symlink_visited.nused; u++)
         {
             if (info->symlink_visited.objs[u].file)
                 HDfree(info->symlink_visited.objs[u].file);
@@ -789,8 +789,6 @@ trav_table_addlink(trav_table_t *table, haddr_t objno, const char *path)
             return;
         } /* end for */
     } /* end for */
-
-    HDassert(0 && "object not in table?!?");
 }
 
 
@@ -1017,7 +1015,7 @@ trav_print_visit_obj(const char *path, const H5O_info_t *oinfo,
         /* Finish printing line about object */
         printf("\n");
         if(trav_verbosity > 0)
-            H5Aiterate_by_name(print_udata->fid, path, trav_index_by, trav_index_order, 
+            H5Aiterate_by_name(print_udata->fid, path, trav_index_by, trav_index_order,
                                NULL, trav_attr, &op_data, H5P_DEFAULT);
     }
     else
@@ -1051,12 +1049,12 @@ trav_print_visit_lnk(const char *path, const H5L_info_t *linfo, void *udata)
         case H5L_TYPE_SOFT:
             if(linfo->u.val_size > 0) {
                 char *targbuf = (char*)HDmalloc(linfo->u.val_size + 1);
-                HDassert(targbuf);
-
-                if(H5Lget_val(print_udata->fid, path, targbuf, linfo->u.val_size + 1, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0)
-                    targbuf[0] = 0;
-                printf(" %-10s %s -> %s\n", "link", path, targbuf);
-                HDfree(targbuf);
+                if(targbuf) {
+                    if(H5Lget_val(print_udata->fid, path, targbuf, linfo->u.val_size + 1, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0)
+                        targbuf[0] = 0;
+                    printf(" %-10s %s -> %s\n", "link", path, targbuf);
+                    HDfree(targbuf);
+                }
             } /* end if */
             else
                 printf(" %-10s %s ->\n", "link", path);
@@ -1069,13 +1067,13 @@ trav_print_visit_lnk(const char *path, const H5L_info_t *linfo, void *udata)
                 const char *objname = NULL;
 
                 targbuf = (char*)HDmalloc(linfo->u.val_size + 1);
-                HDassert(targbuf);
-
-                if(H5Lget_val(print_udata->fid, path, targbuf, linfo->u.val_size + 1, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0)
-                    targbuf[0] = 0;
-                if(H5Lunpack_elink_val(targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, NULL, &filename, &objname) >= 0)
-                    printf(" %-10s %s -> %s %s\n", "ext link", path, filename, objname);
-                HDfree(targbuf);
+                if(targbuf) {
+                    if(H5Lget_val(print_udata->fid, path, targbuf, linfo->u.val_size + 1, H5P_DEFAULT) < 0)
+                        targbuf[0] = 0;
+                    if(H5Lunpack_elink_val(targbuf, linfo->u.val_size, NULL, &filename, &objname) >= 0)
+                        printf(" %-10s %s -> %s %s\n", "ext link", path, filename, objname);
+                    HDfree(targbuf);
+                }
             } /* end if */
             else
                 printf(" %-10s %s ->\n", "ext link", path);