HDF5 C++ Interfaces
                           ===================

// HDF5 dataset and attribute have some common characteristics, so the
// term abstract dataset is used to name the element that can represent 
// both objects, dataset and attribute.
//
// Class AbstractDs is an abstract base class, from which Attribute and 
// DataSet inherit.  It provides the services that are common to both 
// Attribute and DataSet.  It also inherits from H5Object and passes down 
// the services that H5Object provides.
class AbstractDs : public H5Object

	// Gets the dataspace of this abstract dataset - pure virtual
	virtual DataSpace getSpace() const = 0;

        // Gets the class of the datatype that is used by this abstract 
	// dataset        
	H5T_class_t getTypeClass() const;

	// Gets a copy of the datatype that this abstract dataset uses.  
	// Note that this datatype is a generic one and can only be accessed 
	// via generic member functions, i.e., member functions belong to 
	// DataType.  To get specific datatype, i.e. EnumType, FloatType, 
	// etc..., use the specific functions, that follow, instead.
	DataType getDataType() const;

        // Gets a copy of the specific datatype of this abstract dataset
        EnumType getEnumType() const;
        CompType getCompType() const;
        IntType getIntType() const;
        FloatType getFloatType() const;
        StrType getStrType() const;

	// Copy constructor
	AbstractDs( const AbstractDs& original );

	virtual ~AbstractDs();

// end of class AbstractDs

// Atomic datatype can be an integer, float, string, or predefined datatype.
//
// Class AtomType is a base class, from which IntType, FloatType, StrType, 
// and PredType inherit.  It provides the services that are common to these
// subclasses.  It also inherits from DataType and passes down the  
// services that are common to all the datatypes.
class AtomType : public DataType

	// Sets the total size for an atomic datatype. 
	void setSize( size_t size ) const;

	// Returns the byte order of an atomic datatype. 
	H5T_order_t getOrder( string& order_string ) const;

	// Sets the byte ordering of an atomic datatype. 
	void setOrder( H5T_order_t order ) const;

	// Returns the precision of an atomic datatype. 
	size_t getPrecision() const;

	// Sets the precision of an atomic datatype. 
	void setPrecision( size_t precision ) const;

	// Gets the bit offset of the first significant bit. 
	int getOffset() const;

	// Sets the bit offset of the first significant bit. 
	void setOffset( size_t offset ) const;

	// Copy constructor 
	AtomType( const AtomType& original );

	virtual ~AtomType();

// end of class AtomType


// An attribute is an abstract dataset because it has some characteristics
// that a dataset also has, but not all.
//
// Class Attribute inherits from AbstractDs and provides accesses to an 
// attribute.
class Attribute : public AbstractDs

	// Writes data to this attribute.
	void write(const DataType& mem_type, void *buf ) const;

	// Reads data from this attribute.
	void read( const DataType& mem_type, void *buf ) const;

	// Gets a copy of the dataspace for this attribute.
	virtual DataSpace getSpace() const;

	// Gets the name of this attribute.
	string getName( size_t buf_size ) const;

	// An attribute doesn't have the ability to iterate, simply because
	// it doesn't have any attributes associated with it.  Thus, the
	// implementation of this member which is inherited from H5Object
	// is overwritten to do nothing here.
	int iterateAttrs() const;

        // Creates a copy of an existing attribute using the attribute id
        Attribute( const hid_t attr_id );

	// Copy constructor
	Attribute( const Attribute& original );

	virtual ~Attribute();


// CommonFG is a protocol class.  Its existence is simply to provide the
// common services that are provided by H5File and Group.  The file or 
// group in the context of this class is referred to as 'location'.
class CommonFG
	// Creates a new group at this location.
	Group createGroup( const string& name, size_t size_hint = 0 ) const;
	Group createGroup( const char* name, size_t size_hint = 0 ) const;

	// Opens an existing group in a location.
	Group openGroup( const string& name ) const;
	Group openGroup( const char* name ) const;

	// Creates a new dataset at this location.
	DataSet createDataSet( const string& name, const DataType& data_type, const DataSpace& data_space, const DSetCreatPropList& create_plist = DSetCreatPropList::DEFAULT ) const;
	DataSet createDataSet( const char* name, const DataType& data_type, const DataSpace& data_space, const DSetCreatPropList& create_plist = DSetCreatPropList::DEFAULT ) const;

	// Opens an existing dataset at this location.
	DataSet openDataSet( const string& name ) const;
	DataSet openDataSet( const char* name ) const;

	// Creates a link of the specified type from new_name to current_name;
	// both names are interpreted relative to this location.
	void link( H5G_link_t link_type, const string& curr_name, const string& new_name ) const;
	void link( H5G_link_t link_type, const char* curr_name, const char* new_name ) const;

	// Removes the specified name at this location.
	void unlink( const string& name ) const;
	void unlink( const char* name ) const;

	// Renames an HDF5 object at this location.
	void move( const string& src, const string& dst ) const;
	void move( const char* src, const char* dst ) const;

	// Returns information about an HDF5 object, given by its name, at this location.
	void getObjinfo( const string& name, hbool_t follow_link, H5G_stat_t& statbuf ) const;
	void getObjinfo( const char* name, hbool_t follow_link, H5G_stat_t& statbuf ) const;

	// Returns the name of the HDF5 object that the symbolic link points to.
	string getLinkval( const string& name, size_t size ) const;
	string getLinkval( const char* name, size_t size ) const;

	// Sets the comment for the HDF5 object specified by its name.
	void setComment( const string& name, const string& comment ) const;
	void setComment( const char* name, const char* comment ) const;

	// Retrieves comment for the HDF5 object specified by its name.
	string getComment( const string& name, size_t bufsize ) const;
	string getComment( const char* name, size_t bufsize ) const;

	// Mounts the file 'child' onto this location.
	void mount( const string& name, H5File& child, PropList& plist ) const;
	void mount( const char* name, H5File& child, PropList& plist) const;

	// Unmounts the file named 'name' from this location.
	void unmount( const string& name ) const;
	void unmount( const char* name ) const;

	// Iterates over the elements of this location - not implemented in
	// C++ style yet
	int iterateElems( const string& name, int *idx, H5G_iterate_t op, void *op_data );
	int iterateElems( const char* name, int *idx, H5G_iterate_t op, void *op_data );

	// Opens a generic named datatype at this location
	DataType openDataType( const string& name ) const;
	DataType openDataType( const char* name ) const;

	// Opens a named enumeration datatype at this location
	EnumType openEnumType( const string& name ) const;
	EnumType openEnumType( const char* name ) const;

	// Opens a named compound datatype at this location
	CompType openCompType( const string& name ) const;
	CompType openCompType( const char* name ) const;

	// Opens a named integer datatype at this location
	IntType openIntType( const string& name ) const;
	IntType openIntType( const char* name ) const;

	// Opens a named floating-point datatype at this location
	FloatType openFloatType( const string& name ) const;
	FloatType openFloatType( const char* name ) const;

	// Opens a named string datatype at this location
	StrType openStrType( const string& name ) const;
	StrType openStrType( const char* name ) const;

	// For H5File and Group to throw appropriate exception - pure virtual
	virtual void throwException() const = 0;

	// Get id of the location, either group or file - pure virtual 
	virtual hid_t getLocId() const = 0; 

	CommonFG();
	virtual ~CommonFG();

// end of CommonFG declaration


// Class CompType inherits from DataType and provides accesses to a compound 
// datatype.
class CompType : public DataType

	// Creates a new compound datatype, given the type's size.
	CompType( size_t size );

	// Creates a compound datatype using an existing id.
	CompType( const hid_t existing_id );

	// Gets the compound datatype of the specified dataset.
	CompType( const DataSet& dataset );

	// Returns the number of members in this compound datatype. 
	int getNmembers() const;

	// Returns the name of a member of this compound datatype. 
	string getMemberName( unsigned member_num ) const;

	// Returns the offset of a member of this compound datatype. 
	size_t getMemberOffset( unsigned memb_no ) const;

	// Returns the dimensionality of the specified member of this compound datatype. 
	int getMemberDims( int member_num, size_t* dims, int* perm ) const;

	// Returns the type class of the specified member of this compound 
	// datatype.  It provides to the user a way of knowing what type 
	// to create another datatype of the same class.
	H5T_class_t getMemberClass( unsigned member_num ) const;

	// Returns the generic datatype of the specified member in 
	// this compound datatype.
	DataType getMemberDataType( int member_num ) const;

	// Returns the enumeration datatype of the specified member in 
	// this compound datatype.
	EnumType getMemberEnumType( int member_num ) const;

	// Returns the compound datatype of the specified member in 
	// this compound datatype.
	CompType getMemberCompType( int member_num ) const;

	// Returns the integer datatype of the specified member in 
	// this compound datatype.
	IntType getMemberIntType( int member_num ) const;

	// Returns the floating-point datatype of the specified member in 
	// this compound datatype.
	FloatType getMemberFloatType( int member_num ) const;

	// Returns the string datatype of the specified member in 
	// this compound datatype.
	StrType getMemberStrType( int member_num ) const;

	// Adds a new member to this compound datatype.
	void insertMember( const string name, size_t offset, const DataType& new_member ) const;

	// Recursively removes padding from within this compound datatype. 
	void pack() const;

	// Default constructor
	CompType();

	// Copy constructor
	CompType( const CompType& original );

	virtual ~CompType();

// end of class CompType


// Class DataSet inherits from AbstractDs and provides accesses to a dataset.
class DataSet : public AbstractDs

	// Gets the dataspace of this dataset.
	virtual DataSpace getSpace() const;

	// Gets the creation property list of this dataset.
	DSetCreatPropList getCreatePlist() const;

	// Gets the storage size of this dataset.
	hsize_t getStorageSize() const;

	// Reads the data of this dataset and stores it in the provided buffer.
	// The memory and file dataspaces and the transferring property list
	// can be defaults.
	void read( void* buf, const DataType& mem_type, const DataSpace& mem_space = DataSpace::ALL, const DataSpace& file_space = DataSpace::ALL, const DSetMemXferPropList& xfer_plist = DSetMemXferPropList::DEFAULT ) const;

	// Writes the buffered data to this dataset.
	// The memory and file dataspaces and the transferring property list
	// can be defaults.
	void write( const void* buf, const DataType& mem_type, const DataSpace& mem_space = DataSpace::ALL, const DataSpace& file_space = DataSpace::ALL, const DSetMemXferPropList& xfer_plist = DSetMemXferPropList::DEFAULT ) const;

	// Extends the dataset with unlimited dimension.
	void extend( const hsize_t* size ) const;

	// Default constructor
	DataSet();

	// Copy constructor
	DataSet( const DataSet& original );

	virtual ~DataSet();

// end of class DataSet


// Class DataSpace provides accesses to the dataspace.
class DataSpace : public IdComponent

	// Default DataSpace objects
	static const DataSpace ALL;

	// Creates a dataspace object given the space type.
	DataSpace( H5S_class_t type );

	// Creates a simple dataspace.
	DataSpace( int rank, const hsize_t * dims, const hsize_t * maxdims = NULL);

	// Makes copy of an existing dataspace.
	void copy( const DataSpace& like_space );

	// Determines if this dataspace is a simple one.
	bool isSimple () const;

	// Sets the offset of this simple dataspace.
	void offsetSimple ( const hssize_t* offset ) const;

	// Retrieves dataspace dimension size and maximum size.
	int getSimpleExtentDims ( hsize_t *dims, hsize_t *maxdims = NULL ) const;

	// Gets the dimensionality of this dataspace.
	int getSimpleExtentNdims () const;

	// Gets the number of elements in this dataspace.
	hssize_t getSimpleExtentNpoints () const;

	// Gets the current class of this dataspace.
	H5S_class_t getSimpleExtentType () const;

	// Copies the extent of this dataspace.
	void extentCopy ( DataSpace& dest_space ) const;

	// Sets or resets the size of this dataspace.
	void setExtentSimple( int rank, const hsize_t *current_size, const hsize_t *maximum_size = NULL ) const;

	// Removes the extent from this dataspace.
	void setExtentNone () const;

	// Gets the number of elements in this dataspace selection.
	hssize_t getSelectNpoints () const;

	// Get number of hyperslab blocks.
	hssize_t getSelectHyperNblocks () const;

	// Gets the list of hyperslab blocks currently selected.
	void getSelectHyperBlocklist( hsize_t startblock, hsize_t numblocks, hsize_t *buf ) const;

	// Gets the number of element points in the current selection.
	hssize_t getSelectElemNpoints () const;

	// Retrieves the list of element points currently selected.
	void getSelectElemPointlist ( hsize_t startpoint, hsize_t numpoints, hsize_t *buf ) const;

	// Gets the bounding box containing the current selection.
	void getSelectBounds ( hsize_t* start, hsize_t* end ) const;

	// Selects array elements to be included in the selection for 
	// this dataspace.
	void selectElements ( H5S_seloper_t op, const size_t num_elements, const hsize_t* coord[ ] ) const;

	// Selects the entire dataspace.
	void selectAll () const;

	// Resets the selection region to include no elements.
	void selectNone () const;

	// Verifies that the selection is within the extent of the dataspace.
	bool selectValid () const;

	// Selects a hyperslab region to add to the current selected region.
	void selectHyperslab( H5S_seloper_t op, const hsize_t *count, const hsize_t *start, const hsize_t *stride = NULL, const hsize_t *block = NULL ) const;

	// Default constructor
	DataSpace();

	// Create a dataspace object from a dataspace identifier
	DataSpace( const hid_t space_id );

	// Copy constructor
	DataSpace( const DataSpace& original );

	virtual ~DataSpace();
// end of class DataSpace


// HDF5 datatype can be an atom datatype, a compound datatype, or an 
// enumeration datatype.  A datatype is itself a kind of HDF5 object.
//
// Class DataType provides accesses to a generic HDF5 datatype.  It has 
// characteristics which AtomType, CompType, and EnumType inherit.  It also 
// inherits from H5Object and passes down the services to its subclasses.
class DataType : public H5Object

	// Creates a datatype given its class and size.
	DataType( const H5T_class_t type_class, size_t size );

	// Copies an existing datatype to this datatype instance.
	void copy( const DataType& like_type );

	// Returns the datatype class identifier of this datatype. 
	H5T_class_t getClass() const;

	// Commits a transient datatype to a file; this datatype becomes 
	// a named datatype which can be accessed from the location.
	void commit( H5Object& loc, const string& name ) const;
	void commit( H5Object& loc, const char* name ) const;

	// Determines whether this datatype is a named datatype or 
	// a transient datatype. 
	bool committed() const;

        // Finds a conversion function that can handle the conversion 
        // of this datatype to the given datatype, dest.
	H5T_conv_t find( const DataType& dest, H5T_cdata_t **pcdata ) const;

	// Converts data from this datatype into the specified datatype, dest. 
	void convert( const DataType& dest, size_t nelmts, void *buf, void *background, PropList& plist ) const;

	// Sets the overflow handler to a specified function. 
	void setOverflow(H5T_overflow_t func) const;

	// Returns a pointer to the current global overflow function. 
	H5T_overflow_t getOverflow(void) const;

	// Locks a datatype. 
	void lock() const;

	// Returns the size of this datatype. 
	size_t getSize() const;

	// Returns the base datatype from which a datatype is derived. 
	// Not implemented yet
	DataType getSuper() const;

	// Registers a conversion function. 
	void registerFunc(H5T_pers_t pers, const string& name, const DataType& dest, H5T_conv_t func ) const;
	void registerFunc(H5T_pers_t pers, const char* name, const DataType& dest, H5T_conv_t func ) const;

	// Removes a conversion function from all conversion paths. 
	void unregister( H5T_pers_t pers, const string& name, const DataType& dest, H5T_conv_t func ) const;
	void unregister( H5T_pers_t pers, const char* name, const DataType& dest, H5T_conv_t func ) const;

	// Tags an opaque datatype. 
	void setTag( const string& tag ) const;
	void setTag( const char* tag ) const;

	// Gets the tag associated with an opaque datatype. 
	string getTag() const;

	// Creates a DataType using an existing id - this datatype is
	// not a predefined type
	DataType( const hid_t type_id, bool predtype = false );

	// Default constructor
	DataType();

	// Copy constructor
	DataType( const DataType& original );

	virtual ~DataType();

// end of class DataType


// Class DSetCreatPropList provides accesses to a dataset creation 
// property list.
class DSetCreatPropList : public PropList

	// Default DSetCreatPropList object
	static const DSetCreatPropList DEFAULT;

	// Copies a dataset creation property list using assignment statement.
	DSetCreatPropList& operator=( const DSetCreatPropList& rhs );

	// Sets the type of storage used to store the raw data for the 
	// dataset that uses this property list.
	void setLayout( hid_t plist, H5D_layout_t layout ) const;

	// Gets the layout of the raw data storage of the data that uses this
	// property list.
	H5D_layout_t getLayout() const;

	// Sets the size of the chunks used to store a chunked layout dataset.
	void setChunk( int ndims, const hsize_t* dim ) const;

	// Retrieves the size of the chunks used to store a chunked layout dataset.
	int getChunk( int max_ndims, hsize_t* dim ) const;

	// Sets compression method and compression level
	void setDeflate( int level ) const;

	// Sets a dataset fill value.
	void setFillValue( DataType& fvalue_type, const void* value ) const;

	// Retrieves a dataset fill value.
	void getFillValue( DataType& fvalue_type, void* value ) const;

	// Adds a filter to the filter pipeline
	void setFilter( H5Z_filter_t filter, unsigned int flags, size_t cd_nelmts, const unsigned int cd_values[] ) const;

	// Returns the number of filters in the pipeline. 
	int getNfilters() const;

	// Returns information about a filter in a pipeline.
	H5Z_filter_t getFilter( int filter_number, unsigned int& flags, size_t& cd_nelmts, unsigned int* cd_values, size_t namelen, char name[] ) const;

	// Adds an external file to the list of external files.
	void setExternal( const char* name, off_t offset, hsize_t size ) const;

	// Returns the number of external files for a dataset. 
	int getExternalCount() const;

	// Returns information about an external file
	void getExternal( unsigned idx, size_t name_size, char* name, off_t& offset, hsize_t& size ) const;

	// Creates a copy of an existing dataset creation property list 
	// using the property list id
	DSetCreatPropList( const hid_t plist_id );

	// Default constructor
	DSetCreatPropList();

	// Copy constructor
	DSetCreatPropList( const DSetCreatPropList& original );

	virtual ~DSetCreatPropList();

// end of class DSetCreatPropList


// Class DSetMemXferPropList provides accesses to a dataset memory and 
// transfer property list.
class DSetMemXferPropList : public PropList

	// Default object for dataset memory and transfer property list
	static const DSetMemXferPropList DEFAULT;

	// Copies a dataset memory and transfer property list using 
	// assignment statement
	DSetMemXferPropList& operator=( const DSetMemXferPropList& rhs );

	// Sets type conversion and background buffers
	void setBuffer( size_t size, void* tconv, void* bkg ) const;

	// Reads buffer settings
	size_t getBuffer( void** tconv, void** bkg ) const;

	// Sets the dataset transfer property list status to TRUE or FALSE
	void setPreserve( bool status ) const;

	// Checks status of the dataset transfer property list
	bool getPreserve() const;

	// Indicates whether to cache hyperslab blocks during I/O
	void setHyperCache( bool cache, unsigned limit = 0 ) const;

	// Returns information regarding the caching of hyperslab blocks during I/O
	void getHyperCache( bool& cache, unsigned& limit ) const;

	// Sets B-tree split ratios for a dataset transfer property list 
	void setBtreeRatios( double left, double middle, double right ) const;

	// Gets B-tree split ratios for a dataset transfer property list
	void getBtreeRatios( double& left, double& middle, double& right ) const;

	// Sets the memory manager for variable-length datatype 
	// allocation in H5Dread and H5Dvlen_reclaim
	void setVlenMemManager( H5MM_allocate_t alloc, void* alloc_info, 
				H5MM_free_t free, void* free_info ) const;

	// alloc and free are set to NULL, indicating that system 
	// malloc and free are to be used
	void setVlenMemManager() const;

	// Gets the memory manager for variable-length datatype 
	// allocation in H5Dread and H5Tvlen_reclaim
	void getVlenMemManager( H5MM_allocate_t& alloc, void** alloc_info, 
				H5MM_free_t& free, void** free_info ) const;

	// Sets the transfer mode - parallel mode, not currently supported
	//void setXfer( H5D_transfer_t data_xfer_mode = H5D_XFER_INDEPENDENT ) const;

	// Gets the transfer mode - parallel mode, not currently supported
	//H5D_transfer_t getXfer() const;

	// Creates a copy of an existing dataset memory and transfer 
	// property list using the property list id
	DSetMemXferPropList (const hid_t plist_id)

	// Default constructor
	DSetMemXferPropList();

	// Copy constructor
	DSetMemXferPropList( const DSetMemXferPropList& original );

	// Default destructor
	virtual ~DSetMemXferPropList();

// end of class DSetMemXferPropList


class EnumType : public DataType

	// Creates an empty enumeration datatype based on a native signed 
	// integer type, whose size is given by size.
	EnumType( size_t size );

	// Gets the enum datatype of the specified dataset
	EnumType( const DataSet& dataset );  // H5Dget_type

	// Creates a new enum datatype based on an integer datatype
	EnumType( const IntType& data_type );  // H5Tenum_create

	// Inserts a new member to this enumeration type. 
	void insert( const string& name, void *value ) const;
	void insert( const char* name, void *value ) const;

	// Returns the symbol name corresponding to a specified member 
	// of this enumeration datatype. 
	string nameOf( void *value, size_t size ) const;

	// Returns the value corresponding to a specified member of this 
	// enumeration datatype. 
	void valueOf( const string& name, void *value ) const;
	void valueOf( const char* name, void *value ) const;

	// Returns the value of an enumeration datatype member
	void getMemberValue( unsigned memb_no, void *value ) const;

	// Default constructor
	EnumType();

	// Creates an enumeration datatype using an existing id
	EnumType( const hid_t existing_id );

	// Copy constructor
	EnumType( const EnumType& original );

	virtual ~EnumType();
// end of class EnumType


class Exception

	// Creates an exception with a detailed message
	Exception( const string& message );

	Exception( const char* message);

	// Returns the character string that describes an error specified by
	// a major error number.
	string getMajorString( H5E_major_t major_num ) const;

	// Returns the character string that describes an error specified by
	// a minor error number.
	string getMinorString( H5E_minor_t minor_num ) const;

	// Returns the detailed message set at the time the exception is thrown
	string getDetailMesg() const;

	// Turns on the automatic error printing.
	void setAutoPrint( H5E_auto_t func, 
				void* client_data ) const;

	// Turns off the automatic error printing.
	static void dontPrint();

	// Retrieves the current settings for the automatic error stack 
	// traversal function and its data.
	void getAutoPrint( H5E_auto_t& func, 
				void** client_data ) const;

	// Clears the error stack for the current thread.
	void clearErrorStack() const;

	// Walks the error stack for the current thread, calling the 
	// specified function.
	void walkErrorStack( H5E_direction_t direction, 
				H5E_walk_t func, void* client_data ) const;

	// Default error stack traversal callback function that prints 
	// error messages to the specified output stream.
	void walkDefErrorStack( int n, H5E_error_t& err_desc,
				void* client_data ) const;

	// Prints the error stack in a default manner.
	//void printError() const;
	void printError( FILE* stream = NULL ) const;

	// Creates an exception with no message
	Exception();

	// copy constructor
	Exception( const Exception& original );

// end of class Exception


// Class FileIException inherits from Exception to provide exception 
// handling for H5File.
class FileIException : public Exception
	FileIException();
	FileIException( string message );
// end of class FileIException


// Class GroupIException inherits from Exception to provide exception 
// handling for Group.
class GroupIException : public Exception
	GroupIException();
	GroupIException( string message );
// end of class GroupIException


// Class DataSpaceIException inherits from Exception to provide exception 
// handling for DataSpace.
class DataSpaceIException : public Exception
	DataSpaceIException();
	DataSpaceIException( string message );
// end of class DataSpaceIException


// Class DataTypeIException inherits from Exception to provide exception 
// handling for DataType.
class DataTypeIException : public Exception
	DataTypeIException();
	DataTypeIException( string message );
// end of class DataTypeIException


// Class PropListIException inherits from Exception to provide exception 
// handling for PropList.
class PropListIException : public Exception
	PropListIException();
	PropListIException( string message );
// end of class PropListIException


// Class DataSetIException inherits from Exception to provide exception 
// handling for DataSet.
class DataSetIException : public Exception
	DataSetIException();
	DataSetIException( string message );
// end of class DataSetIException


// Class AttributeIException inherits from Exception to provide exception 
// handling for Attribute.
class AttributeIException : public Exception
	AttributeIException();
	AttributeIException( string message );
// end of class AttributeIException


// Class LibraryIException inherits from Exception to provide exception 
// handling for H5Library.
class LibraryIException : public Exception
	LibraryIException();
	LibraryIException( string message );
// end of class LibraryIException


// Class IdComponentException inherits from Exception to provide exception 
// handling for IdComponent.
class IdComponentException : public Exception
	IdComponentException();
	IdComponentException( string message );
// end of class IdComponentException


// Class FileAccPropList provides accesses to a file access property list.
class FileAccPropList : public PropList

	// Default file access property list object 
	static const FileAccPropList DEFAULT;

	// Copies a file access property list using assignment statement.
	FileAccPropList& operator=( const FileAccPropList& rhs );

	// Sets alignment properties of this file access property list.
	void setAlignment( hsize_t threshold = 1, hsize_t alignment = 1 ) const;

	// Retrieves the current settings for alignment properties from
	// this file access property list.
	void getAlignment( hsize_t& threshold, hsize_t& alignment ) const;

	// Sets the meta data cache and raw data chunk cache parameters.
	void setCache( int mdc_nelmts, size_t rdcc_nelmts, size_t rdcc_nbytes, double rdcc_w0 ) const;

	// Retrieves maximum sizes of data caches and the preemption 
	// policy value.
	void getCache( int& mdc_nelmts, size_t& rdcc_nelmts, size_t& rdcc_nbytes, double& rdcc_w0 ) const;

	// Sets garbage collecting references flag.
	void setGcReferences( unsigned gc_ref = 0 ) const;

	// Returns garbage collecting references setting.
	unsigned getGcReferences() const;

	// Creates a copy of an existing file access property list
	// using the property list id.
	FileAccPropList (const hid_t plist_id);

	// Default constructor
	FileAccPropList();

	// Copy constructor
	FileAccPropList( const FileAccPropList& original );

	// Default destructor
	virtual ~FileAccPropList();

// end of class FileAccPropList


// Class FileCreatPropList provides accesses to a file creation property list.
class FileCreatPropList : public PropList

	// Default file creation property list object
	static const FileCreatPropList DEFAULT;
	
	// Copies a file creation property list using assignment statement.
	FileCreatPropList& operator=( const FileCreatPropList& rhs );

	// Retrieves version information for various parts of a file.
	void getVersion( unsigned& boot, unsigned& freelist, unsigned& stab, unsigned& shhdr ) const;

	// Sets the userblock size field of a file creation property list.
	void setUserblock( hsize_t size ) const;

	// Gets the size of a user block in this file creation property list.
	hsize_t getUserblock() const;

	// Sets file size-of addresses and sizes.
	void setSizes( size_t sizeof_addr = 4, size_t sizeof_size = 4 ) const;

	// Retrieves the size-of address and size quantities stored in a 
	// file according to this file creation property list.
	void getSizes( size_t& sizeof_addr, size_t& sizeof_size ) const;

	// Sets the size of parameters used to control the symbol table nodes.
	void setSymk( unsigned int_nodes_k, unsigned leaf_nodes_k ) const;

	// Retrieves the size of the symbol table B-tree 1/2 rank and the
	// symbol table leaf node 1/2 size.
	void getSymk( unsigned& int_nodes_k, unsigned& leaf_nodes_k ) const;

	// Sets the size of parameter used to control the B-trees for
	// indexing chunked datasets.
	void setIstorek( unsigned ik ) const;

	// Returns the 1/2 rank of an indexed storage B-tree.
	unsigned getIstorek() const;

	// Creates a copy of an existing file create property list
	// using the property list id.
	FileCreatPropList (const hid_t plist_id);

	// Default constructor
	FileCreatPropList();

	// Copy constructor
	FileCreatPropList( const FileCreatPropList& original );

	// Default destructor
	virtual ~FileCreatPropList();

// end of class FileCreatPropList

// Class H5File provides accesses to an HDF5 file.  It uses the services
// provided by CommonFG beside inheriting the HDF5 id management from the
// IdComponent class.
class H5File : public IdComponent, public CommonFG

	// Creates or opens an HDF5 file.  The file creation and access 
	// property lists can be default.
	H5File( const string& name, unsigned int flags, const FileCreatPropList& create_plist = FileCreatPropList::DEFAULT, const FileAccPropList& access_plist = FileAccPropList::DEFAULT );
	H5File( const char* name, unsigned int flags, const FileCreatPropList& create_plist = FileCreatPropList::DEFAULT, const FileAccPropList& access_plist = FileAccPropList::DEFAULT );

	// Throw file exception - used by CommonFG to specifically throw
	// FileIException.
	virtual void throwException() const;

	// Determines if a file, specified by its name, is in HDF5 format.
	static bool isHdf5(const string& name );
	static bool isHdf5(const char* name );

	// Reopens this file.
	void reopen();

	// Gets the creation property list of this file.
	FileCreatPropList getCreatePlist() const;

	// Gets the access property list of this file.
	FileAccPropList getAccessPlist() const;

	// Copy constructor
	H5File(const H5File& original );

	virtual ~H5File();

// end of class H5File


// Class FloatType inherits from AtomType and provides accesses to a 
// floating-point datatype.
class FloatType : public AtomType

        // Creates a floating-point type using a predefined type.
        FloatType( const PredType& pred_type );

	// Gets the floating-point datatype of the specified dataset.
	FloatType( const DataSet& dataset );

	// Retrieves floating point datatype bit field information. 
	void getFields( size_t& spos, size_t& epos, size_t& esize, size_t& mpos, size_t& msize ) const;

	// Sets locations and sizes of floating point bit fields. 
	void setFields( size_t spos, size_t epos, size_t esize, size_t mpos, size_t msize ) const;

	// Retrieves the exponent bias of a floating-point type. 
	size_t getEbias() const;

	// Sets the exponent bias of a floating-point type. 
	void setEbias( size_t ebias ) const;

	// Retrieves mantissa normalization of a floating-point datatype. 
	H5T_norm_t getNorm( string& norm_string ) const;

	// Sets the mantissa normalization of a floating-point datatype. 
	void setNorm( H5T_norm_t norm ) const;

	// Retrieves the internal padding type for unused bits in 
	// floating-point datatypes. 
	H5T_pad_t getInpad( string& pad_string ) const;
	
	// Fills unused internal floating point bits. 
	void setInpad( H5T_pad_t inpad ) const;

	// Default constructor
	FloatType();

	// Creates a floating-point datatype using an existing id.
	FloatType( const hid_t existing_id );

	// Copy constructor
	FloatType( const FloatType& original );

	virtual ~FloatType();

// end of class FloatType


// Class Group provides accesses to an HDF5 group.  As H5File, it uses the 
// services provided by CommonFG.  This class also inherits from H5Object.
class Group : public H5Object, public CommonFG
   public:

        // Throw group exception - used by CommonFG to specifically throw
	// GroupIException.
        virtual void throwException() const;

	// Default constructor
	Group();

	// Copy constructor
	Group( const Group& original );

	virtual ~Group();

// end of class Group

// Class IdComponent provides a mechanism to handle reference counting 
// for an identifier of any HDF5 object.
class IdComponent
	// Sets the identifier of this object to a new value.
	void setId( hid_t new_id );

	// Creates an object to hold an HDF5 identifier.
	IdComponent( const hid_t h5_id );

	// Gets the value of the current HDF5 object id which is held
	// by this IdComponent object.
	hid_t getId () const;

	// Increment reference counter.
	void incRefCount();

	// Decrement reference counter.
	void decRefCount();

	// Get the reference counter to this identifier.
	int getCounter();

	// Decrements the reference counter then determines if there are 
	// no more reference to this object.
	bool noReference();

	// Reset this object by deleting its reference counter of the old id.
	void reset();

	// Copy constructor
	IdComponent( const IdComponent& original );

	// Destructor
	virtual ~IdComponent();

}; // end class IdComponent


// Class IntType inherits from AtomType and provides accesses to 
// integer datatypes.
class IntType : public AtomType

	// Creates a integer type using a predefined type.
	IntType( const PredType& pred_type );

	// Gets the integer datatype of the specified dataset.
	IntType( const DataSet& dataset );

	// Retrieves the sign type for an integer type.
	H5T_sign_t getSign() const;

	// Sets the sign proprety for an integer type. 
	void setSign( H5T_sign_t sign ) const;

	// Default constructor
	IntType();

	// Creates a integer datatype using an existing id.
	IntType( const hid_t existing_id );

	// Copy constructor
	IntType( const IntType& original );

	virtual ~IntType();

// end of class IntType


// Class H5Library provides accesses to the HDF5 library.  All of its
// member functions are static.
class H5Library

	// Initializes the HDF5 library. 
	static void open(); 

	// Flushes all data to disk, closes files, and cleans up memory. 
	static void close(); 

	// Instructs library not to install atexit cleanup routine
	static void dontAtExit(); 

	// Returns the HDF library release number. 
	static void getLibVersion( unsigned& majnum, unsigned& minnum, unsigned& relnum ); 

	// Verifies that the arguments match the version numbers compiled
	// into the library
	static void checkVersion( unsigned majnum, unsigned minnum, unsigned relnum ); 

// end of class H5Library


// An HDF5 object can be a group, dataset, attribute, or named datatype.
//
// Class H5Object provides the services that are typical to an HDF5 object
// so Group, DataSet, Attribute, and DataType can use them.  It also 
// inherits the HDF5 id management from the class IdComponent.
class H5Object : public IdComponent

	// Flushes all buffers associated with this HDF5 object to disk.
	void flush( H5F_scope_t scope ) const;

	// Creates an attribute for a group, dataset, or named datatype.
	// PropList is currently not used, it should always be default.
	Attribute createAttribute( const char* name, const DataType& type, const DataSpace& space, const PropList& create_plist = PropList::DEFAULT ) const;
	Attribute createAttribute( const string& name, const DataType& type, const DataSpace& space, const PropList& create_plist = PropList::DEFAULT ) const;

	// Opens an attribute that belongs to this object, given the 
	// attribute name.
	Attribute openAttribute( const string& name ) const;
	Attribute openAttribute( const char* name ) const;

	// Opens an attribute that belongs to this object, given the
	// attribute index.
	Attribute openAttribute( const unsigned int idx ) const;

	// Iterate user's function over the attributes of this HDF5 object
	int iterateAttrs( attr_operator_t user_op, unsigned* idx = NULL, void* op_data = NULL );

	// Determines the number of attributes attached to this HDF5 object.
	int getNumAttrs() const;

	// Removes an attribute from this HDF5 object, given the attribute 
	// name.
	void removeAttr( const string& name ) const;
	void removeAttr( const char* name ) const;

	// Copy constructor
	H5Object( const H5Object& original );

	virtual ~H5Object();

// end of class H5Object


// Class PredType contains all the predefined datatype objects that are
// currently available.
class PredType : public AtomType

	static const PredType STD_I8BE;
	static const PredType STD_I8LE;
	static const PredType STD_I16BE;
	static const PredType STD_I16LE;
	static const PredType STD_I32BE;
	static const PredType STD_I32LE;
	static const PredType STD_I64BE;
	static const PredType STD_I64LE;
	static const PredType STD_U8BE;
	static const PredType STD_U8LE;
	static const PredType STD_U16BE;
	static const PredType STD_U16LE;
	static const PredType STD_U32BE;
	static const PredType STD_U32LE;
	static const PredType STD_U64BE;
	static const PredType STD_U64LE;
	static const PredType STD_B8BE;
	static const PredType STD_B8LE;
	static const PredType STD_B16BE;
	static const PredType STD_B16LE;
	static const PredType STD_B32BE;
	static const PredType STD_B32LE;
	static const PredType STD_B64BE;
	static const PredType STD_B64LE;
	static const PredType STD_REF_OBJ;
	static const PredType STD_REF_DSETREG;

	static const PredType C_S1;
	static const PredType FORTRAN_S1;

	static const PredType IEEE_F32BE;
	static const PredType IEEE_F32LE;
	static const PredType IEEE_F64BE;
	static const PredType IEEE_F64LE;

	static const PredType UNIX_D32BE;
	static const PredType UNIX_D32LE;
	static const PredType UNIX_D64BE;
	static const PredType UNIX_D64LE;

	static const PredType INTEL_I8;
	static const PredType INTEL_I16;
	static const PredType INTEL_I32;
	static const PredType INTEL_I64;
	static const PredType INTEL_U8;
	static const PredType INTEL_U16;
	static const PredType INTEL_U32;
	static const PredType INTEL_U64;
	static const PredType INTEL_B8;
	static const PredType INTEL_B16;
	static const PredType INTEL_B32;
	static const PredType INTEL_B64;
	static const PredType INTEL_F32;
	static const PredType INTEL_F64;

	static const PredType ALPHA_I8;
	static const PredType ALPHA_I16;
	static const PredType ALPHA_I32;
	static const PredType ALPHA_I64;
	static const PredType ALPHA_U8;
	static const PredType ALPHA_U16;
	static const PredType ALPHA_U32;
	static const PredType ALPHA_U64;
	static const PredType ALPHA_B8;
	static const PredType ALPHA_B16;
	static const PredType ALPHA_B32;
	static const PredType ALPHA_B64;
	static const PredType ALPHA_F32;
	static const PredType ALPHA_F64;

	static const PredType MIPS_I8;
	static const PredType MIPS_I16;
	static const PredType MIPS_I32;
	static const PredType MIPS_I64;
	static const PredType MIPS_U8;
	static const PredType MIPS_U16;
	static const PredType MIPS_U32;
	static const PredType MIPS_U64;
	static const PredType MIPS_B8;
	static const PredType MIPS_B16;
	static const PredType MIPS_B32;
	static const PredType MIPS_B64;
	static const PredType MIPS_F32;
	static const PredType MIPS_F64;

	static const PredType NATIVE_CHAR;
	static const PredType NATIVE_SCHAR;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UCHAR;
	static const PredType NATIVE_SHORT;
	static const PredType NATIVE_USHORT;
	static const PredType NATIVE_INT;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT;
	static const PredType NATIVE_LONG;
	static const PredType NATIVE_ULONG;
	static const PredType NATIVE_LLONG;
	static const PredType NATIVE_ULLONG;
	static const PredType NATIVE_FLOAT;
	static const PredType NATIVE_DOUBLE;
	static const PredType NATIVE_LDOUBLE;
	static const PredType NATIVE_B8;
	static const PredType NATIVE_B16;
	static const PredType NATIVE_B32;
	static const PredType NATIVE_B64;
	static const PredType NATIVE_OPAQUE;
	static const PredType NATIVE_HSIZE;
	static const PredType NATIVE_HSSIZE;
	static const PredType NATIVE_HERR;
	static const PredType NATIVE_HBOOL;

	static const PredType NATIVE_INT8;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT8;
	static const PredType NATIVE_INT_LEAST8;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT_LEAST8;
	static const PredType NATIVE_INT_FAST8;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT_FAST8;

	static const PredType NATIVE_INT16;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT16;
	static const PredType NATIVE_INT_LEAST16;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT_LEAST16;
	static const PredType NATIVE_INT_FAST16;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT_FAST16;

	static const PredType NATIVE_INT32;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT32;
	static const PredType NATIVE_INT_LEAST32;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT_LEAST32;
	static const PredType NATIVE_INT_FAST32;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT_FAST32;

	static const PredType NATIVE_INT64;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT64;
	static const PredType NATIVE_INT_LEAST64;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT_LEAST64;
	static const PredType NATIVE_INT_FAST64;
	static const PredType NATIVE_UINT_FAST64;

	// Copy constructor
	PredType( const PredType& original );

	// Default destructor
	virtual ~PredType();

   protected:
	// Default constructor
	PredType();

	// Creates a pre-defined type using an HDF5 pre-defined constant
	PredType( const hid_t predtype_id );  // used by the library only

// end of class PredType


// An HDF5 property list can be a file creation property list, a file
// access property list, a dataset creation property list, or a dataset
// memory and transfer property list.  
//
// Class PropList provides accesses to an HDF5 property list.  Its
// services are inherited by classes FileCreatPropList, FileAccPropList,
// DSetCreatPropList, and DSetMemXferPropList.  It also inherits the HDF5
// id management from the class IdComponent.
class PropList : public IdComponent

	// Default property list object
        static const PropList DEFAULT;

	// Creates a property list given the property list type.
	PropList( H5P_class_t type );

	// Makes a copy of the given property list.
	void copy( const PropList& like_plist );

	// Gets the class of this property list, i.e. H5P_FILE_CREATE,
	// H5P_FILE_ACCESS, ...
	H5P_class_t getClass() const;

	// Default constructor
	PropList();

	// Copy constructor
	PropList( const PropList& original );

	// Creates a default property list or creates a copy of an 
	// existing property list giving the property list id
	PropList( const hid_t plist_id );

	virtual ~PropList();

// end of class PropList

// Class RefCounter provides a reference counting mechanism.  It is used
// mainly by IdComponent to keep track of the references to an HDF5 object 
// identifier.
class RefCounter

	// Returns the value of the counter.
        int getCounter () const;

	// Increments and decrements the counter.
        void increment();
        void decrement();

	// This bool function is used to determine whether to close an
	// HDF5 object when there are no more reference to that object.
	// It decrements the counter, then returns true if there are no
	// other object references the associated identifier.  When the
	// function returns true, the associated identifier can be closed
	// safely.
	bool noReference();

	// Default constructor
	RefCounter();

	~RefCounter();

// end of class RefCounter


// Class StrType inherits from AtomType and provides accesses to a 
// string datatype.
class StrType : public AtomType
   public:
	// Creates a string type using a predefined type.
	StrType( const PredType& pred_type );

        // Gets the string datatype of the specified dataset.
	StrType( const DataSet& dataset );

	// Returns the character set type of this string datatype. 
	H5T_cset_t getCset() const;

	// Sets character set to be used. 
	void setCset( H5T_cset_t cset ) const;

	// Returns the string padding method for this string datatype. 
	H5T_str_t getStrpad() const;

	// Defines the storage mechanism for character strings. 
	void setStrpad( H5T_str_t strpad ) const;

	// Default constructor 
	StrType();

	// Copy constructor
	StrType( const StrType& original );

	// Creates a string datatype using an existing id.
	StrType( const hid_t existing_id );

	virtual ~StrType();
// end of class StrType


// This template function, resetIdComponent, is used to reset an 
// IdComponent object, which includes closing the associated HDF5 
// identifier if it has no other references.
// 'Type' can be of the following classes: Attribute, DataSet, DataSpace,
// DataType, H5File, Group, and PropList.
template 
void resetIdComponent( 
	Type* obj )	// pointer to object to be reset