path: root/release_docs/INSTALL_Windows.txt

***********************************************************************
*        HDF5 Build and Install Instructions for Windows XP/VISTA     *
*                         (Full Version)                              *
***********************************************************************

The following instructions assume that the HDF5 source code package from
HDF website (http://hdfgroup.org) is used.

Warnings:
Please read CAREFULLY about the following preconditions and notes first.

Contents:

   Section       :  Preconditions and Notes
   Section I     :  What do we build and install
   Section II    :  How to build and test HDF5 libraries and tools
   Section III   :  How to build examples (optional)
   Section IV    :  How to build an application using the HDF5 library or DLL
   Section V     :  How to disable Gzip(Zlib)/Szip compression
   Section VI    :  How to build HDF5 with Fortran Support
   Section VII   :  How to build Multi-threaded version of HDF5 library
   Section VIII  :  How to build HDF5 with Thread-Safe Feature
   Section IX    :  How to build HDF5 for 64-bit Windows
   Section X     :  How to build HDF5 on Windows Vista
   Section XI    :  How to build HDF5 using Visual Studio 2008
   Section XII   :  Backwards Compatibility with HDF5 1.6
   Section XIII  :  Misc.


========================================================================
                          Preconditions and Notes
========================================================================

Preconditions:

   1. Installed Microsoft Visual Studio.  This document is written for Visual
      Studio 2005, although we also support Visual Studio .NET 2003 and Visual
      Studio 2008 as well.  Most of the instructions are the same, although some
      features are unsupported in Visual Studio .NET.  For simple Visual Studio 
      .NET instructions, see the document INSTALL_Windows_NET.TXT.
   
   2. (Optional) Installed Intel Compiler 9.1 or 10.1 if you want to build HDF5 
      Fortran libraries.
      
   3. Install Winzip or 7-zip for extracting source tarball.

      Note: 1. 7zip is an open-source alternative to WinZip.  Some of the
            advanced functionality is disabled in WinZip unless you buy the
            software.  With 7zip, most of this functionality is included for
            free.
      
            2. By default, WinZip will convert the Unix end of line format when 
            extracting .tar file.  This conversion will cause "false" failure 
            in some HDF5 tools testings.

            Please uncheck the "TAR file smart CR/LF conversion" option in your 
            WinZip to prevent the conversion when extracting .tar file.  To 
            uncheck the "TAR file smart CR/LF conversion" option:

                Invoke WinZip, go to "Options", select "Configuration..."

                Click the "Miscellaneous" tab and uncheck "TAR file smart CR/LF 
                conversion" option, then click OK.

   4. Set up a directory structure to unpack the library.  For example:

            c:\                              (any drive)
            MyHDFstuff\                      (any folder name)

   5. Download the hdf5-1.8.3 source code package and use 7zip or WinZip to
      extract the HDF5 package into c:\MyHDFstuff.  This creates a directory 
      called 'hdf5-1.8.3' under MyHDFstuff which contains several files and 
      directories.  Rename "hdf5-1.8.3" to "hdf5".

   6. HDF5 provide options to do in-memory compression  within HDF5 library.  
      Currently, two external compression libraries Zlib and Szip can be used 
      with HDF5.

      6.1 HDF5 uses Zlib version 1.2.3 for compression and Zlib is NOT
          distributed with HDF5 library in 1.8.3 release. To use Zlib library, 
          you have to install your own Zlib DLL library or go to 
          ftp://ftp.hdfgroup.org/lib-external/zlib/1.2/bin/windows
          to download the Zlib library.


      6.2 HDF5 uses Szip version 2.1 for compression and Szip compression 
          software is provided with HDF5 products in 1.8.3 release.  To use 
          Szip 2.1 library, you can download Szip source codes and binaries from
          ftp://ftp.hdfgroup.org/lib-external/szip/2.1/bin/windows

          Please note that Szip is not a totally open-source free software.  
          For licensing issue of Szip, please check "Licensing terms" at
          http://hdfgroup.org/doc_resource/SZIP/index.html.

      Szip compression feature inside HDF5 is optional.

   7. Define the following environment variables:

        HDF5_EXT_ZLIB
        HDF5_EXT_SZIP

      In this section, Zlib and Szip compression packages are assumed to be 
      used.  Please read Section V as well as this section if you do not want 
      to use compression feature inside HDF5.

      To define these environment variables:

      Click "Start", click "Control Panel", and then double-click "System".  
      On the "Advanced" tab, click "Environment Variables".

      If you are logged on as administrator to the local computer AND want to 
      let all other users use these two environment variables, click "New" 
      under "System Variables" box; otherwise, click "New" under "User 
      Variables" box.

      In the New Variable window, set "Variable name" as HDF5_EXT_ZLIB and 
      "Variable value" as zlib1.lib, then click OK.

      Similarly, you can set:

      HDF5_EXT_SZIP environment variable as szlibdll.lib

      Notes:

         a. You will have to close and reopen running programs for the new 
            environment variable settings to take effect.

         b. c:\zlib123\zlib1.dll and c:\szip\dll\szlibdll.dll should be copied 
            into the location that the application can find, one suggestion is 
            to use the c:\WINDOWS\system.

   6. Set up path for external libraries and headers

      Skip this part if you don't want to use ANY compression features provided 
      by HDF5.  Please do read Section V.

      You have to read this part even if you want to only use Zlib or Szip.  
      You also need to read Section V.

      Invoke Microsoft Visual Studio and go to "Tools" and select "Options", 
      find "Projects", and then "VC++ Directories".
      
      6.1 If you are building on 64-bit Windows, find the "Platform" dropdown
          and select "x64".

      6.2 Find the box "Show directories for", choose "Include files", if you 
          can not find your Zlib and Szip header path (for example, 
          c:\zlib123\include, c:\szip\include) from the directory list, add the 
          header path (c:\zlib123\include, c:\szip\include) to the included 
          directories.

      6.3 Find the box "Show directories for", choose "Library files".  If you 
          cannot find your Zlib and Szip library path (for example, 
          c:\zlib123\dll, c:\szip\dll) from the directory list, add the library 
          path (c:\zlib123\dll, c:\szip\dll) to the library directories.
          
      6.4 If building Fortran libraries, you will also need to setup the path
          for the Intel Fortran compiler.  Please see Section VI.

Notes:

   1. As of 1.8.0, all.zip is deprecated. Users should go to hdf5/windows 
      directory, run copy_hdf.bat first and then open all.sln under 
      hdf5/windows/proj/all to start building process.

   2. Visual Studio 6.0 will not be supported in HDF5 1.8 or later release.

   2. Users who prefer to use Visual Studio .NET can follow instructions in 
      INSTALL_Windows_Short_Net.txt.  Note, however,  HDF5 Fortran product
      will not be supported in HDF5 1.8 release with Visual Studio .NET.

   3. For users who want to quickly build HDF5 library or do not want to know 
      HDF5 building and installation details, please read the 
      INSTALL_Windows_Short_***.txt relating to your compiler.

   4. For users who would like to build and test HDF5 package from the command 
      line, please read INSATLL_Windows_From_Command_Line.txt.

   5. HDF4-related tools are not built and released with HDF5 library packages 
      any more. To obtain HDF4 related tools, please check
      http://hdfgroup.org/h4toh5/ and ftp://ftp.hdfgroup.org/HDF5/h4toh5

   6. For Fortran users, Intel fortran Compiler 9.1 and 10.1 is currently 
      supported-- please see Section VI.  Intel Compiler verion 7.x and 8.x are 
      no longer supported.

   7. For users who would like to build Muti-threaded version of HDF5 library, 
      please read Section VII.
      
   8. To build HDF5 in Visual Studio 2008, be sure to read the instructions in
      Section XI.
      

========================================================================
                 Section I: What do we build and install?
========================================================================

   1. Build and Install

      HDF5 static library:
           debug and release version

      HDF5 Dynamic Link Library(DLL):
           debug and release version as well as export libraries for DLL

      HDF5 High-Level Library (Optional):
           HDF5 C++ Library
           HDF5 HL-Fortran Library

      HDF5 tools:
           HDF5 tools

   2. Build Only (Not included in the binary distribution)

      HDF5 tool library:
           debug and release version

      HDF5 tool export library for DLL:
           debug and release version

      HDF5 library testing programs:
           HDF5 library comprehensive tests

      HDF5 related tools testing programs:
           HDF5 tools comprehensive tests

   3. Examples (Not included in the binary distribution)

      HDF5 examples:
           Simple HDF5 C/C++/Fortran and High level C/Fortran examples

========================================================================
      Section II: How to build and test HDF5 libraries and tools
========================================================================

Note:
      To build and test HDF5 with Fortran support, please read over Section VI.

      
STEP 1: Building HDF5 Libraries and Tools

      
   1. Run batch file copy_hdf.bat

      Go to  c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\windows and run copy_hdf.bat. This process will 
      copy all the necessary batch files, Windows-specific source code and 
      text files saved under c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\windows directory to the 
      corresponding directories under hdf5.

   2. Open the HDF5 library project in Visual Studio

      Invoke Microsoft Visual Studio.  From the main menu, go to "File" and 
      select the "Open Solution" option. Then open the
      c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\windows\proj\all\all.sln solution.

      You should find Windows project files listed as "all", "big", etc. on the
      left.

   3. (Optional) Disable HDF5 C++ and High level C++
   
      In HDF5 1.8, C++ and HL C++ libraries are built by default.  To opt-out,
      you must explicitly disable them.

      3.1 Skip this step if you do want to build HDF5 High-Level C++ libraries

          Go to "Project" and select "Project Dependencies".  Select "all", and 
          disable all of the following projects:

            hdf5_hl_cpp
            hdf5_hl_cppdll
            hl_test_table_cpp
            hl_test_table_cppdll
      
      3.2 Skip this step if you do want to build HDF5 High-Level libraries

          Go to "Project" and select "Project Dependencies".  Select "all", and 
          disable all of the project files listed in the previous step, as well
          as the following projects:

             hdf5_hl
             hdf5_hldll
             hl_test_image
             hl_test_imagedll
             hl_test_lite
             hl_test_litedll
             hl_test_table
             hl_test_tabledll
             hl_test_ds
             hl_test_dsdll
             hl_test_packet
             hl_test_packetdll
             
       Note: Disabling some projects will likely produce false errors in the
             testing script.  Check the output carefully to ensure that the
             errors are related to the disabled projects, and then safely
             ignore them.


   4. Select "Build", then Select "Configuration Manager".

      4.1 To build debug static libraries, debug multithreaded DLLs, and tests:

      In "Active Solution Configuration", select "Debug". Select "Close". 
      Select "Build" -> "Build Solution" or "Rebuild Solution" to build debug 
      version of project "all".

      4.2 To build release static libraries, multithreaded DLLs and tests:

      In "Active Solution Configuration", select "Release". Select "Close". 
      Select "Build" -> "Build Solution" or "Rebuild Solution" to build release 
      version of project "all".

      Both debug and release versions must be built for testing.

      Warning messages can be ignored.

      When the debug or release build is done the directories
      listed below will contain the following files:

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5\debug -

               hdf5d.lib- the hdf5 static library

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5\release -

               hdf5.lib- the hdf5 static library

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5dll\debug -

               hdf5ddll.dll- DLL
               hdf5ddll.lib- the DLL export library

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5dll\release -

               hdf5dll.dll- DLL
               hdf5dll.lib- the DLL export library

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\test\libtest\debug -
        and c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\test\libtest\release -

               libtest.lib - the internal library for test

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\test\libtestdll\debug -

               libtestddll.dll - the internal DLL for test
               libtestddll.lib - the internal DLL export library for test

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\test\libtestdll\release -

               libtestdll.dll - the internal DLL for test
               libtestdll.lib - the internal DLL export library for test

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\tools\toolslib\debug -
        and c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\tools\toolslib\release -

               toolslib.lib- the internal tools library

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\tools\toolslibD\debug -
        and c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\tools\toolslibD\release -

               toolslibD.dll- DLL
               toolslibD.lib- the internal DLL export library for tools

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\tools\"tools directory"-
            where tools are located

       The directories listed below will contain the following files
       ONLY when you choose to build HDF5 C++ libraries:

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5_cpp\debug -

                hdf5_cppd.lib- the HDF5 C++ API static library

        and c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5_cpp\release -

               hdf5_cpp.lib- the HDF5 C++ API static library

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5_cppdll\debug -

               hdf5_cppddll.dll- the HDF5 C++ API DLL
               hdf5_cppddll.lib - the C++ API export library

        and c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5_cppdll\release -

               hdf5_cppdll.dll- the HDF5 C++ API DLL
               hdf5_cppdll.lib- the C++ API DLL export library


       The directories listed below will contain the following files
       ONLY when you choose to build HDF5 High Level libraries:

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5_hl\Release -
               hdf5_hl.lib  - HDF5 High Level static Library

        and c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5_hl\Debug -

               hdf5_hld.lib - HDF5 High Level Static Library

           c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5_hldll\Release -
               hdf5_hldll.dll - HDF5 High Level DLL
               hdf5_hldll.lib - HDF5 High Level export Library

       and c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5_hldll\Debug -

               hdf5_hlddll.dll - HDF5 High Level DLL
               hdf5_hlddll.lib - HDF5 High Level export Library

       The directories listed below will contain the following files
       ONLY when you choose to build HDF5 High Level C++ libraries:

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5_hl_cpp\Release -

               hdf5_hl_cpp.lib - HDF5 High Level C++ Static Library

        and c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5_hl_cpp\Debug -

               hdf5_hl_cppd.lib - HDF5 High Level C++ Static Library

            c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5_hl_cppdll\Release -
        and c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\proj\hdf5_hl_cppdll\Debug -

               hdf5_hl_cppddll.dll - HDF5 High Level C++ DLL
               hdf5_hl_cppddll.lib - HDF5 High Level C++ export Library


STEP 2: Testing HDF5 Libraries and Tools

HDF5 libraries and tools should be tested to make sure that they were built 
correctly.

Note:   The complete testing suite can take a long time to run on even fast
        machines.  Some of the longer tests can be automatically shortened by
        defining an environment variable HDF5TestExpress.  Set HDF5TestExpress
        to 3 for fastest, or 0 for slowest.  For example:
        
            set HDF5TestExpress=3
            
        If the variable is unset, it takes on the value 1.  Note that when
        HDF5TestExpress is set to 2 or 3, some features may not be thoroughly
        tested.  For most users, we recommend not setting this variable.
        

We provide 2 options for users to test HDF5 libraries and tools.

   Option 1: Automatic testings

   HDF5 comes with various test suites, all of which can be tested with 
   hdf5check.bat batch file in c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5 directory.

   hdf5check batch file can be run with one of the following four options:

      hdf5check                  Test HDF5 C library and tools only.

      hdf5check enablecpp        Test HDF5 C/C++ libraries and tools.  To use 
                                 this option, HDF5 C++ libraries must have been 
                                 built in step I.

      hdf5check enablefortran    Test HDF5 C/Fortran libraries and tools.  To 
                                 use this option, HDF5 Fortran libraries must 
                                 have been built in Section VI.

      hdf5check enableall        Test HDF5 C/C++/Fortran libraries and tools.
                                 To use this option, HDF5 C++ and Fortran 
                                 libraries must have been built.

   Invoke a command prompt window and run hdf5check with appropriate option.
   Users are encouraged to pipe the test output into a file.  You should find
   no "*FAILED*" marks.

   Option 2: Step-by-step HDF5 libraries and tools testings

   You can also test HDF5 libraries and tools one by one.  There are possibly 
   four versions of HDF5 libraries and tools testings.

   They are:

      release
      release dll
      debug
      debug dll

   We strongly suggest you to redirect your testing results into an output file 
   so that you can easily check the testing results.

   HDF5 DLLs should be placed into the Windows system directory.  A batch file 
   named install_dll.bat is included in c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5 directory.  Run this 
   batch file and all neccessary HDF5 DLLS will be placed in the system
   directory.
   
   
   1. HDF5 library testing

      Open a command prompt in the hdf5\test directory

         (1) Basic tests

             a) Release Static, type:
                checktests release >"Your output filename"

             b) Release DLL, type:
                checktests release dll >"Your output filename"

             c) Debug Static, type:
                checktests debug >"Your output filename"

             d) Debug DLL, type:
                checktests debug dll >"Your output filename"

      Use a text editor to check results. You should not find any FAILED marks 
      in your output files.
                
   2. HDF5 performance testing

      Open a command prompt in the hdf5\perform directory
   
             a) Release Static, type:
                checkperformtests release >"Your output filename"

             b) Release DLL, type:
                checkperformtests release dll >"Your output filename"

             c) Debug Static, type:
                checkperformtests debug >"Your output filename"

             d) Debug DLL, type:
                checkperformtests debug dll >"Your output filename"

      Use a text editor to check results. You should not find any FAILED marks 
      in your output files.

   3. HDF5 tools testing

      Open a command prompt in the hdf5\tools directory

         a) Release Static, type:
            checktools release >"Your output filename"

         b) Release DLL, type:
            checktools release dll >"Your output filename"

         c) Debug Static, type:
            checktools debug >"Your output filename"

         d) Debug DLL, type:
            checktools debug dll >"Your output filename"

      Use a text editor to check results. You should not find any FAILED marks 
      in your output files.

   4. HDF5 C++ library test

      Skip this step UNLESS you have built HDF5 C++ libraries and want to test 
      them.

      Open a command prompt in the hdf5\c++\test directory

         a) Release Static, type:
            checkcpptests release >"Your output filename"

         b) Release DLL, type:
            checkcpptests release dll >"Your output filename"

         c) Debug Static, type:
            checkcpptests debug >"Your output filename"

         d) Debug DLL, type:
            checkcpptests debug dll >"Your output filename"

      Use a text editor to check results. You should not find any FAILED marks 
      in your output files.

    4. HDF5 High-Level library test

    Skip this step UNLESS you have built HDF5 High-Level libraries and want to 
    test them.

      Open a command prompt in the hdf5\hl\test directory

         a) Release Static, type:
            checkhltests release >"Your output filename"

         b) Release DLL, type:
            checkhltests release dll >"Your output filename"

         c) Debug Static, type:
            checkhltests debug >"Your output filename"

         d) Debug DLL, type:
            checkhltests debug dll >"Your output filename"

      Use a text editor to check results. You should not find any FAILED marks 
      in your output files.

    5.  HDF5 High-Level C++ library test

    Skip this step UNLESS you have built HDF5 High-Level C++ libraries and want 
    to test them.

      Open a command prompt in the hdf5\hl\c++\test directory

         a) Release Static, type:
            checkhlcpptests release >"Your output filename"

         b) Release DLL, type:
            checkhlcpptests release dll >"Your output filename"

         c) Debug Static, type:
            checkhlcpptests debug >"Your output filename"

         d) Debug DLL, type:
            checkhlcpptests debug dll >"Your output filename"

      Use a text editor to check results. You should not find any FAILED marks 
      in your output files.

    Note: See Section VI for instructions on testing Fortran libraries.
      
 STEP 3: Installing HDF5 Libraries

We provide a batch file for users to relocate all HDF5 libraries in one folder 
(C++ and Fortran libraries will also be copied into this folder if they have 
been built in step I or Section VI, respectively).  The file is called 
installhdf5lib.bat under c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5 directory.  Run the batch file, you 
may see a folder called hdf5lib under c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5.

The <release> layout of <hdf5lib> should be:

   release\include   --  HDF5 header files
   release\bin       --  HDF5 static tool executables
   release\bindll    --  HDF5 DLL tool executables
   release\lib       --  HDF5 static libraries
   release\dll       --  HDF5 DLLs

You may also find the similar layout for the <debug>.

========================================================================
                 Section III: How To Build Examples (Optional)
========================================================================

Simple examples have been provided for users to test HDF5 C/C++/Fortran and 
High level C/Fortran library and tools.

Note:
      1) To build HDF5 C++ examples, HDF5 C++ library must have been built in 
         Step I.

      2) To build HDF5 Fortran or HL Fortran examples, please see Section VI, 
         Step 3.

      3) To build HDF5 High Level C examples, HDF5 High level library must have 
         been built in step I.

      4) By default, the debug versions of HDF5 C/C++/HL examples are linked 
         with the debug versions of HDF5 C/C++/HL libraries and DLLs.  The 
         debug versions of HDF5 C/C++/HL examples will fail if they are linked 
         with HDF5 binary distribution, which only includes the release 
         versions of HDF5 C/C++ libraries and DLLs.

To build and test HDF5 C examples:
----------------------------------
   1. Invoke Microsoft Visual Studio, go to "File" and select the "Open 
      Solution" option.

      Then open the solution
      c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\windows\examples\allexamples\allexamples.sln.

   2. Select "Build", and "Configuration Manager".

       2.1 To build debug versions of C examples:
       
          In "Active Solution Configuration", select "Debug". Select "Close". 
          Select "Build" -> "Build Solution" or "Rebuild Solution" to build 
          debug version of project "allexamples".

       2.2 To build release versions of C examples.
       
          In "Active Solution Configuration", select "Release". Select "Close". 
          Select "Build" -> "Build Solution" or "Rebuild Solution" to build 
          release version of project "allexamples".

      When the debug and release build is done, there should be the following 
      subdirectories in c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\examples\

          attributetest
          attributetestdll
          chunkread
          chunkreaddll
          compoundtest
          compoundtestdll
          extendwritetest
          extendwritetestdll
          grouptest
          grouptestdll
          readtest
          readtestdll
          selectest
          selectestdll
          writetest
          writetestdll

   3. Invoke a command prompt window and run the batch file InstallExamples.bat 
      which resides in the top level directory (c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5).  This file 
      creates 4 new directories, examplesREL, examplesRELDLL, examplesDBG, and 
      examplesDBGDLL, in the c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\examples directory and places 
      all the executables in it.  Both the release and debug versions of the
      examples should be built before this step is done.

   4. We provide a batch file named testExamples.bat and an expected examples 
      tests output file named testExamples_exp_output.txt in 
      c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\examples directory for you to test HDF5 C examples.

      testExamples.bat batch file has 4 options:

         testExamples release     -- for release version

         testExamples release dll -- for release DLL version

         testExamples debug       -- for debug version

         testExamples debug dll   -- for debug DLL version

      Invoke a command prompt and run testExamples.bat with appropriate options.
      You should get "All HDF5 C examples tests passed." when the C examples are
      built successfully.  Otherwise, the difference between the expected 
      outputs and actual outputs will be given.

To build and test HDF5 C++ examples:
------------------------------------

   1. Invoke Microsoft Visual Studio, go to "File" and select the "Open 
      Solution" option.

      Then open the solution
      c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\windows\examples\allexamples\allcppexamples.sln.

   2. Select "Build", and "Configuration Manager".

       2.1 To build debug versions of C examples:
       
          In "Active Solution Configuration", select "Debug". Select "Close". 
          Select "Build" -> "Build Solution" or "Rebuild Solution" to build 
          debug version of project "allcppexamples".

       2.2 To build release versions of C examples.
       
          In "Active Solution Configuration", select "Release". Select "Close". 
          Select "Build" -> "Build Solution" or "Rebuild Solution" to build 
          release version of project "allcppexamples".

   When the debug build or release build is done, there should be the following 
   subdirectories in c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\c++\examples\

          chunks
          chunksdll
          compound
          compounddll
          create
          createdll
          extend_ds
          extend_dsll
          h5group
          h5groupdll
          readdata
          readdatadll
          writedata
          writedatadll

   3. Invoke a command prompt window and run the batch file 
      InstallcppExamples.bat which resides in the top level directory
      (c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5).  This file creates 4 new directories,
      cppexamplesREL, cppexamplesRELDLL, cppexamplesDBG, and cppexamplesDBGDLL, 
      in the c:\MyHDFstuff\c++\examples directory and places all the executables
      in it.  Both the release and debug versions of the examples should be 
      built before this step is done.

   4. We provide a batch file named testcppExamples.bat in
      c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\c++\examples directory for you to test HDF5 C++ 
      examples.

      testcppExamples.bat batch file has 4 options:

         testcppExamples release     -- for release version

         testcppExamples release dll -- for release DLL version

         testcppExamples debug       -- for debug version

         testcppExamples debug dll   -- for debug DLL version

      Invoke a command prompt and run testcppExamples.bat with appropriate 
      options.  You should get "All HDF5 C++ examples tests passed." when the 
      C++ examples are built successfully.  Otherwise, the difference between 
      the expected outputs and actual outputs will be given.


To build and test HDF5 High Level C examples:
---------------------------------------------

   1. Invoke Microsoft Visual Studio, go to "File" and select the "Open 
      Solution" option.

      Then open the solution
      c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\windows\hl\examples\allhlcexamples\allhlcexamples.dsw

   2. Select "Build", and "Configuration Manager".

       2.1 To build debug versions of C examples:
       
          In "Active Solution Configuration", select "Debug". Select "Close". 
          Select "Build" -> "Build Solution" or "Rebuild Solution" to build 
          debug version of project "allhlcexamples".

       2.2 To build release versions of C examples.
       
          In "Active Solution Configuration", select "Release". Select "Close". 
          Select "Build" -> "Build Solution" or "Rebuild Solution" to build 
          release version of project "allhlcexamples".

      When the debug and release build is done, binaries will be built in the
      following subdirectories of c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\examples\

          ex_image[1-2](dll)
          ex_lite1(dll)
          ex_table[01-12](dll)
          ex_ds1(dll)
          ptExample[FL+VL](dll)

   3. Invoke a command prompt and run the batch file Install_hlcexamples.bat 
      which resides in the top level directory (c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5).  This file 
      creates 4 new directories, HLCexamplesRELEASE, HLCexamplesRELEASEDLL, 
      HLCexamplesDEBUG, and HLCexamplesDEBUGDLL, in the 
      c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\hl\examples directory and places all the executables in
      it. Both the release and debug versions of the examples should be built 
      before this step is done.

   4. We provide a batch file named test_hl_cexamples.bat in 
      c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\hl\examples directory for you to test HDF5 high level C
      examples.

      test_hl_cexamples.bat batch file has 4 options:

         Options                        purpose

         test_hl_cexamples release      -- for release version

         test_hl_cexamples release dll  -- for release DLL version

         test_hl_cexamples debug        -- for debug version

         test_hl_cexamples debug dll    -- for debug DLL version

      Invoke a command prompt window and run test_hl_cexamples with
      appropriate options.

      Invoke a command prompt and run testExamples.bat with appropriate options.
      You should get "All of the HL C Examples Passed!" when the HL C examples 
      are built successfully.  Otherwise, the difference between the expected 
      outputs and actual outputs will be given.
      

========================================================================
   Section IV: Building an application using the HDF5 library or DLL
========================================================================

Waring: The instructions below will only describe how to build an application 
        using the release version of the HDF5 library or DLL.  To use the debug
        version of the HDF5 library or DLL, you need to substitute the release 
        version of the HDF5 library or DLL with the debug version.

        
To build an application that uses the HDF5 static library the following 
locations will need to be specified for locating header files and linking with
the HDF static library, for example:

c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\hdf5lib\release\include
c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\hdf5lib\release\lib

We assume that you will use Zlib and Szip compression with HDF5 library.

1. Specifying Include Directories

To specify the include directories in the settings for your Visual Studio 
project, you may choose one of the following two methods.

  Method One: Project-wide Settings

    1. Open your project in Microsoft Visual Studio and make sure it is the 
       active project.

    2. Go to the Project menu and chose the "Properties" option.

    3. Choose the build configuration you would like to modify in the drop 
       down menu labeled "Configuration:"

    4. Choose the "C/C++" tab, and select "General".

    5. In a text-area labeled with "Additional Include Directories:", add 
       HDF5, Zlib, and Szip header files directories.  For example:

          c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\hdf5lib\release\include
          c:\zlib123\include
          c:\szip\include

       Then click OK.

    6. (Optional) To use HDF5 Fortran static library, the location of 
       Fortran module files should be specified by following Project->
       Settings->Fortran->Preprocessor, and in the text-area labeled 
       "Additional Include Directories", add HDF5 Fortran module files 
       directories.  For example:

          c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\hdf5lib\release\include
          
  Method Two: Visual Studio Settings

    1. In Visual STudio, go to Tools->Options->Projects->
       VC++ Directories.  Under "Show Directories For", select "Include files"

    2. Insert the correct HDF5, Zlib, Szip paths for headers(include).  For 
       example,

          c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\hdf5lib\release\include
          c:\zlib123\include
          c:\szip\include

    
2. Specifying Library Directories

To specify the library directories in the settings for your Visual Studio 
project, you may choose one of the following two methods.

  Method One: Project-wide Settings

    1. Open your project in Microsoft Visual Studio and make sure it is the 
       active project.

    2. Go to the Project menu and chose the "Properties" option.

    3. Choose the build configuration you would like to modify in the drop 
       down menu labeled "Configuration:"

    4. Choose the "Linker" tab, anc select "General".

    5. In a text-area labeled with "Additional Library Directories:", add 
       HDF5, Zlib, and Szip library files directories.  For example:

          c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\hdf5lib\release\lib
          c:\zlib123\dll
          c:\szip\dll
          
      Note: To link with HDF5 DLLs rathern that static libraries, simply
            specify the "dll" directory rather than "lib", and link with the
            corresponding DLL link library below.

       Then click OK.

          
  Method Two: Visual Studio Settings

    1. In Visual STudio, go to Tools->Options->Projects->
       VC++ Directories.  Under "Show Directories For", select "Library files"

    2. Insert the correct HDF5, Zlib, Szip paths for link libraries.  For 
       example,

          c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\hdf5lib\release\lib
          c:\zlib123\dll
          c:\szip\dll
          
       Note: To link with HDF5 DLLs rathern that static libraries, simply
            specify the "dll" directory rather than "lib", and link with the
            corresponding DLL link library below.

    
3. Specifying Libraries to Link

  To link the HDF5 static library with your application:

    1. In Visual Studio, go to the Project menu and choose "Properties".

    2. Find the "Link" option and "Input" category.  In the "Additional
       Dependencies" field, insert "zlib1.lib, szlibdll.lib, hdf5.lib".

    3. (Optional) Also insert "hdf5_cpp.lib" if you want to use HDF5 C++ 
       static library.

    4. (Optional) Also insert "hdf5_fortran.lib" if you want to use HDF5 
       Fortran static library.

    5. (Optional) Also insert "hdf5_hl.lib" if you want to use HDF5 high 
       level static library.

    6. (Optional) Also insert "hdf5_hl_cpp.lib" if you want to use HDF5 High
       Level C++ static library.

    7. (Optional) Also insert "hdf5_hl_fortran.lib" if you want to use HDF5 
       High Level Fortran static library.


  To link the HDF5 DLL library with your application:

    1. Follow the steps for linking the HDF5 static library as shown above,
       except now link the export library that is created with the DLL.
       
       The export library is called hdf5dll.lib for HDF5 C libray,
       hdf5_cppdll.lib for HDF5 C++ library, and hdf5_fortrandll.lib
       for HDF5 Fortran library.
       
    2. In the Project Properties dialog, go to the C/C++ > Preprocessor
       subsection.  In the "Preprocessor Definitions" box, add "_HDF5USEDLL_"
       to the list.
       
    3. (Optional) Also add HDF5CPP_USEDLL to use HDF5 C++ DLL.

    4. (Optional) Also add _HDF5USEHLDLL_ to use HDF5 high level DLL.

    5. (Optional) Also add HDF5USE_HLCPPDLL use HDF5 high level C++ DLL.

    6. (Optional) Follow Project->Settings->Fortran->Category->General->
       Predefined Preprocess or Symbols, and add "HDF5F90_WINDOWS" to use HDF5 
       Fortran DLL.

    7. Place the DLLs in a location that Windows will be able to locate.  The 
       searched path and order for DLL's is

       a) The directory where the executable module for the current
          process is located.
       b) The current directory.
       c} The Windows system directory. The GetSystemDirectory function
          retrieves the path of this directory.
       d) The Windows directory. The GetWindowsDirectory function
          retrieves the path of this directory.
       e) The directories listed in the PATH environment variable.

========================================================================
         Section V: How to disable Gzip(Zlib)/Szip compression
========================================================================

Warning: When you modify the H5pubconf.h file as described below, DO NOT just 
         change the values of these macros from 1 to 0.  Please DO remove (or 
         comment out) appropriate lines.

   Notes:

   To disable Gzip and Szip at the same time, just make the appropriate
   modifications to H5pubconf.h and the environmental variables all together,
   and then Run-compile.
   
   These instructions assume that copy_hdf.bat has already been run in Section
   II.  If you can't find H5pubconf.h file in the specified directory, please
   verify that this script has been run.
         
   1. Disable Gzip (Zlib) Compression

      If you would like to remove Gzip compression from the HDF5 library, follow
      the steps below.

      1.1 Open the H5pubconf.h file from the c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\src directory 
          and remove (or comment out) the following two lines:

             #define H5_HAVE_ZLIB_H 1
             #define H5_HAVE_FILTER_DEFLATE 1

          Then save the file.

      1.2 Delete HDF5_EXT_ZLIB environment variable if you have set it in 
          preconditions.

      1.3 Run-compile HDF5 library according to Section II.

          When you disable Gzip, you may get the following message when building 
          HDF5 libraries: "The following environment variables were not found: 
          $(HDF5_EXT_ZLIB)". This message can be ignored.

   2. Disable Szip Compression (both encoder and decoder)

      If you would like to remove Szip compression from the HDF5 library, follow
      the steps below.

      2.1 Open the H5pubconf.h file from the c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\src directory 
          and remove (or comment out) the following two lines:

             #define H5_HAVE_SZLIB_H 1
             #define H5_HAVE_FILTER_SZIP 1

          Then save the file.

      2.2 Delete HDF5_EXT_SZIP environment variable if you have set it in 
          preconditions.

      2.3 Run-compile HDF5 library according to Section II.

          When you disable Szip, you may get the following message when building 
          HDF5 libraries: "The following environment variables were not found:
          $(HDF5_EXT_SZIP)".  This message can be ignored.

   3. Disable Szip Encoder

      If you would like to just disable Szip encoder from the HDF5
      library while keeping Szip decoder enabled, follow the steps
      below.

      3.1 Download Szip library without encoder

          Szip library is different if you want to disable Szip encoder.  
          Download szip-noenc binaries from
          ftp://ftp.hdfgroup.org/lib-external/szip/2.1/bin/windows.  The Szip 
          library and header path should also be set up accordingly (refer to 
          precondition 6).

      3.2 Run-compile HDF5 library according to Section II.  The encoding
          functionality is detected dynamically.

========================================================================
          Section VI: How to build HDF5 with Fortran Support
========================================================================

Notes:  1. For Intel Compiler users, Intel fortran Compiler 9.1 and 10.1 are 
        currently supported-- please see below.  Intel Compiler verion 7.x and 
        8.x are no longer supported.

        2. The Compaq Fortran Compiler is no longer supported for HDF5 1.8.

        3. Intel Fortran 9.1 works only under Visual Studio 2005 environments.
           Building Fortran libraries under Visual Studio .NET is unsupported.
           Visual Studio 2008 is supported only with Intel Fortran 10.1.
        
        4. Parallel builds should be disabled.  To do so: Go to  Tools > 
           Options > Projects and Solutions > Build and Run. Set "Maximum Number
           of Parallel Project Builds" to 1.
        

  Preconditions:

     a. Setup Szip Library for Intel Compiler.

     Szip source codes or binaries for Windows compilers can be downloaded
     from the following address:

     ftp://ftp.hdfgroup.org/lib-external/szip/2.1/bin/windows.

     b. Set up path for external libraries and headers

      Skip this part if you don't want to use ANY compression features
      provided by HDF5.  Instead, read Section V.

      You have to read this part even if you want to use only Zlib
      or Szip.  You also need to read Section V.

        1) Invoke Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or 2008.
        
        2) From the main menu, Go to Tools > Options > Intel(R) Fortran. In the 
           right panel, make sure your "Selected Compiler" is Intel Fortran.
      
        3) Select the right-most box for "Libraries", and add Zlib and Szip 
           library paths (c:\zlib123\dll, c:\szip\dll for example).
      
        4) Select right-most box for "Includes", and add Zlib and Szip header 
           paths (c:\zlib123\include c:\szip\include, for example).
           
        5) Then click "OK".

      
1. Build with Intel Fortran Compiler 9.1 or 10.1 under Visual Studio 2005 or 2008

  Note: This step will build HDF5 Static and DLL C and C++ Library using
        Visual Studio compiler as well as HDF5 Static and High Level 
        Fortran Library using Intel Fortran 9.1 or 10.1 Compiler.

  1.1 Open all_fortran.sln

      Invoke Microsoft Visual Studio.  From the main menu, 
      go to "File" and select "Open Solution".  Choose "all_fortran.sln" 
      under the directory c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\windows\proj\all_fortran.


  1.2 Build as Normal

    Follow steps as in Section II to build all HDF5 library files, including
    Fortran and HL Fortran libraries.


2. Test HDF5 Static and High Level Fortran Library

    We provide 2 options for users to test HDF5 libraries and tools.

    Option 1: Automatic testings

       HDF5 comes with various test suites, all of which can be tested with 
       hdf5check.bat batch file in c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5 directory.

       hdf5check batch file can used to test HDF libraries with Fortran with
       the following options:

          hdf5check enablefortran    Test HDF5 C/Fortran libraries and tools


          hdf5check enableall        Test HDF5 C/C++/Fortran libraries and tools
                                     To use this option, HDF5 C++ and Fortran 
                                     libraries must have been built.

       Invoke a command prompt window and run hdf5check with appropriate option.
       Users are encouraged to redirect their ouput into a file.  There should
       be no "*FAILED*" marks.
       
    Option 2: Step-by-step HDF5 libraries and tools testings

       Note: This section provides step-by-step instructions for testing the
       Fortran librariy and tools only.  To test the rest of the HDF5 library
       and tools, please see Section II, Step 2.
       
       
       a. Test HDF5 Static Fortran Library

      Open a command prompt in the hdf5\fortran\test directory
      
         a) Release Static, type:
            checkfortrantests release >"Your output filename"

         b) Release DLL, type:
            checkfortrantests release dll >"Your output filename"

         c) Debug Static, type:
            checkfortrantests debug >"Your output filename"

         d) Debug DLL, type:
            checkfortrantests debug dll >"Your output filename"

      Use a text editor to check results. You should not find any FAILED marks 
      in your output files.

       b. Test HDF5 High Level Fortran Library

      Open a command prompt in the hdf5\hl\fortran\test directory

         a) Release Static, type:
            checkhlfortrantests release >"Your output filename"

         b) Release DLL, type:
            checkhlfortrantests release dll >"Your output filename"

         c) Debug Static, type:
            checkhlfortrantests debug >"Your output filename"

         d) Debug DLL, type:
            checkhlfortrantests debug dll >"Your output filename"

      Use a text editor to check results. You should not find any FAILED marks 
      in your output files.


3. (Optional) Build HDF5 Fortan and HL Fortran Examples

    Note: This section only covers building Fortran and HL Fortran examples.
    For other examples, please see Section III.
    
    To build and test HDF5 Fortran example:
    ---------------------------------------

       1. Open allf90examples.sln

          Invoke Microsoft Visual Studio.  From the main menu, 
          go to "File" and select "Open Solution".  Choose "allf90examples.sln" 
          under the directory 
          c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\windows\fortran\examples\allf90examples.

       2. Select "Build", then Select "Configuration Manager".

        2.1 To build debug versions of Fortran examples.

          In "Active Solution Configuration", select "Debug". Select "Close". 
          Select "Build" -> "Build Solution" or "Rebuild Solution" to build 
          debug version of project "allf90examples".

        2.2 To build release versions of Fortran examples.

          In "Active Solution Configuration", select "Release". Select "Close". 
          Select "Build" -> "Build Solution" or "Rebuild Solution" to build 
          release version of project "allf90examples".
          
       When the debug build or release build is done, there should be the
       following subdirectories in c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\fortran\examples\

              attreexampletest
              attreexampletestdll
              compoundtest
              compoundtestdll
              dsetexampletest
              dsetexampletestdll
              fileexampletest
              fileexampletestdll
              groupexampletest
              groupexampletestdll
              grpdsetexampletest
              grpdsetexampletestdll
              grpittest
              grpittestdll
              grpsexampletest
              grpsexampletestdll
              hyperslabtest
              hyperslabtestdll
              mountexampletest
              mountexampletest
              refobjexampletest
              refobjexampletestdll
              refregexampletest
              refregexampletestdll
              rwdsetexampletest
              rwdsetexampletestdll
              selecteletest
              selecteletestdll

       3. Invoke a command prompt and run the batch file Installf90Examples.bat 
          which resides in the top level directory (c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5).  This 
          file creates 4 new directories, f90examplesREL, f90examplesRELDLL, 
          f90examplesDBG, and f90examplesDBGDLL, in the 
          c:\MyHDFstuff\fortran\examples directory and places all the 
          executables in it.  Both the release and debug versions of the 
          examples should be built before this step is done.
          
          
    To build and test HDF5 High Level Fortran examples:
    ---------------------------------------------------

       1. Open allhlf90examples.sln

          Invoke Microsoft Visual Studio.  From the main menu, 
          go to "File" and select "Open Solution".  Choose 
          "allhlf90examples.sln" under the directory 
          c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\windows\hl\fortran\examples\allhlf90examples.        

       2. Select "Build", then Select "Configuration Manager".

        2.1 To build debug versions of Fortran examples.

          In "Active Solution Configuration", select "Debug". Select "Close". 
          Select "Build" -> "Build Solution" or "Rebuild Solution" to build 
          debug version of project "allhlf90examples".

        2.2 To build release versions of Fortran examples.

          In "Active Solution Configuration", select "Release". Select "Close". 
          Select "Build" -> "Build Solution" or "Rebuild Solution" to build 
          release version of project "allhlf90examples".

        When the debug build or release build is done, there should be the
        following subdirectories in c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\hl\fortran\examples

              ex_lite
              ex_litedll

       3. Invoke a command prompt and run the batch file 
          Install_hlf90examples.bat which resides in the top level directory
          (c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5).  This file creates 4 new directories,
          HLf90examplesRELEASE, HLf90examplesRELEASEDLL, HLf90examplesDEBUG,
          and HLf90examplesDEBUGDLL, in the
          c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\hl\fortran\examples directory and places all
          the executables in it. Both the release and debug versions of the 
          examples should be built before this step is done.

       4. We provide a batch file named test_hl_f90examples.bat in
          c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\hl\fortran\examples directory for you to test
          HDF5 high level fortran examples.

          test_hl_f90examples.bat batch file has 4 options:

             Options                          purpose

             test_hl_f90examples release      -- for release version

             test_hl_f90examples release dll  -- for release DLL version

             test_hl_f90examples debug        -- for debug version

             test_hl_f90examples debug dll    -- for debug DLL version

          Invoke a command prompt and run test_hl_f90examples with
          appropriate options.

          When you run "test_hl_f90examples release", the output will look
          like:

              release  version of High Level Fortran examples     PASSED

          Similar messages should be generated with another three options
          If the high level Fortran examples are built successfully.

========================================================================
   Section VII : How to build Multi-threaded version of HDF5 library
========================================================================

Notes: In Visual Studio 2005, the Single-threaded runtime libraries have been
       depreciated, and Multi-threaded is built by default.  Therefore, no extra
       work needs to be done to build Multi-threaded libraries in Visual Studio
       2005.  This section applies only to Visual Studio .NET

       Preconditions and Section I also apply to this section. Users who
       want to build Multi-threaded version of HDF5 library, please read
       those two sections carefully before go to the following part.

       
In Visual Studio .NET, users have the option of building multi-threaded
libraries by manipulating the project settings.  Otherwise, the build process
is very much the same.  Therefore, follow the instructions below, and refer
to the earlier sections of this document for details on building and testing.


1. Open the solution file

    Refer to previous sections to open the appropriate solution file,
    depending on whether you are building with or without Fortran libraries.
        
2. Change Project Settings

    a) In Visual Studio, go to "Projects->Properties".

    b) Make sure in the "Configuration" box, "Release" is selected.
    
    c) Select all of the static project file in the main window by holding 
       the "Ctrl" key while clicking the project file name.
       
    d) In the "Properties" window, choose "C/C++", and then "Code
       Generation".
       
    e) Under "Run-time Library", "Single-Threaded" should appear. If it is 
      blank inside this box, check if you highlight some DLL project files. 
      
    d) Change "Single-Threaded" to "Multithreaded".

    e) In the "Configuration" box, change to "Debug", keeping the static
       projects selected.

    f) Under "Run-time Library", change "Debug Single-Threaded" to "Debug 
       Multithreaded".

3. Build as Normal

    Refer to previous sections to build and test the HDF5 libraries
    and tools.
    
    
========================================================================
    Section VIII: How To Build And Test HDF5 With Thread-Safe Feature
========================================================================

   All of the preconditions in "Preconditions" Section at the beginning of this 
   document also apply to this section. There are some extra preconditions for 
   this section only as following.

   Pre1. Pthread-Win32 Installed

   Posix Threads for Windows is a open source free software. Users can download 
   it from http://sources.redhat.com/pthreads-win32/.

   HDF5 release 1.8 supports Pthread-Win32 2.7.0 (2005-06-04) or later. Since 
   pthreadVC2.dll used by HDF5 1.8 is the release version dll of 
   pthread-win32, ONLY HDF5 1.8 release dll are supported and tested on 
   Windows XP.

   Pre2. Set Path for Pthread-Win32 header and library

   Invoke Microsoft Visual Studio, go to Tools->Options->Projects->VC++ 
   Directories.

   From the drop-down box under "Show directories for:",

       Choose "Include files", add in the path to Pthread-Win32 header file (For 
       example: C:\PTHREADS_WIN32\INCLUDE).

       Choose "Library files", add in the path to Pthread-Winew library (For 
       example: C:\PTHREADS_WIN32\LIB).

   Pre3. Enable HDF5 Thread-safe Feature on Windows

   Go to directory c:\MYHDFstuff\hdf5\windows\src, open H5pubconf.h and find the 
   following messages and remove those comment signs referred to by those two 
   arrows and save H5pubconf.h


   /*Users want to build and test hdf5 library with thread safe enabled,
     Make the following block active
   */

   /*                                            <----
     #if defined _DLL
     #define H5_HAVE_THREADSAFE
     #define H5_HAVE_SYSTEM_SCOPE_THREADS 1
     #if defined TTSAFE_H
     #define sleep Sleep
     #endif
     #endif
   */                                            <----


   Pre4. Define Environment Variable(HDF5_EXT_PTHREAD) for PthreadVC2.lib

      To define this environment variable:

      Click "Start" -> "Control Panel" ->  "System" -> "Advanced" -> 
      "Environment Variables".

      If you are logged on as administrator to the local computer AND want to 
      let all other users use these two environment variables, click "New" under 
      "System Variables" box; otherwise, click "New" under "User Variables" box.

      In the New Variable window, set
      "Variable name" as HDF5_EXT_PTHREAD
      "Variable value" as pthreadVC2.lib

      Click OK.

   pre5. Copy pthreadVC2.dll to System Directory

      pthreadVC2.dll should be copied into the location that applications can 
      find.  One suggestion is to use the c:\WINDOWS\system.


1. Build HDF5 Release DLL with Thread-safe Feature

   1.1 Run batch file copy_hdf.bat.

   Go to  c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\windows and run copy_hdf.bat. This process will 
   copy all the necessary batch files, Windows-specific source code and text 
   files saved under c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\windows directory to the corresponding 
   directories under hdf5.


   1.2 Invoke Microsoft Visual Studio

   Invoke Microsoft Visual Studio.  From the main menu, go to "File" and select 
   the "Open Solution" option. Then open the
   c:\MyHDFstuff\hdf5\windows\proj\all\all.sln workspace.

   1.3 Add in Thread-safe Source Code for HDF5 Library

   Expand project "hdf5dll", right click on "source" and choose "Add Files to 
   Folder...", browse to add in file "H5TS.c" under directory 
   c:\MYHDFSTUFF\hdf5\src.

   1.4 Link to  pthreadVC2.lib

   Right click on project "hdf5dll", choose "Set as Active Project".

   Go to Project->Properties

      On the left pane, choose "Release" to the right of "Configuration:"

      Choose "Linker", choose "Input" from the left pane.

      Under "Additional Dependencies", add in "$(HDF5_EXT_PTHREAD)" (No 
      quotation marks).

   Click on "OK".

   1.5 Set Project Active Configurations

   Go to Build->Set Active Configuration, choose "Release" under "Project 
   Configurations:", Click "OK".

   1.6 Build HDF5 Release DLL with Thread-safe Feature

   Right-click on project hdf5dll and click "Build" to build HDF5 Release DLL 
   with thread-safe feature.

   Warning messages can be ignored. But there should be no failures at all.

2. Test Thread-safe Feature of HDF5 Release DLL

   2.1 Build Release Version of Project libtestdll

   Go to Build->Set Active Configuration, choose
   "libtestdll-Win32 Release" under "Project configurations:", Click "OK".

   Go to Build->Build libtestdll.dll to build release version of Project
   libtestdll.

   2.2 Build Release Version of Project ttsafedll

   Go to Build->Set Active Configuration, choose "Release" under "Project 
   Configurations:", Click "OK".

   Right-click on project ttsafedll and click "Build" to build release version 
   of Project ttsafedll.exe.
   
   2.3 Install hdf5dll.dll

   Invoke a comand prompt, change directory to c:\MYHDFSTUFF\hdf5, run batch 
   file install_dll.bat to copy
   c:\MYHDFSTUFF\hdf5\proj\hdf5dll\release\hdf5dll.dll into system directory.

   2.4 Test Thread-safe Feature of HDF5 Release DLL

   Set project ttsafedll as the active project file if it is not. Go to 
   Build->Execute ttsafedll.exe, the following is the test messages users 
   should get:

       For help use: ttsafedll.exe -help
       Linked with hdf5 version 1.8 release 0
       Testing  -- multi-dataset creation (dcreate)
       Testing  -- per-thread error stacks (error)
       Testing  -- thread cancellation safety test (cancel)
       Testing  -- multi-attribute creation (acreate)


       All tests were successful.


       Cleaning Up temp files...

   Users who got the same messages as above have successfully built the release 
   version of hdf5dll.dll.

3. Build, Test and Install HDF5 Library and Tools

   Go back to Section II, Step I(2) to Build, test and install HDF5 libary and 
   tools.
   
========================================================================
            Section IX: How to build HDF5 for 64-bit Windows
========================================================================

HDF5 can be built for 64-bit Windows in Visual Studio 2005 or 2008.  Visual 
Studio .NET has very primative 64-bit support, but it is very difficult to 
set up, and debugging is not supported.  Therefore, we recommend all users 
switch to Visual Studio 2005 or 2008 for 64-bit builds.  

Notes:
  
    1. Building 64-bit HDF5 from a 32-bit machine is also unsupported.  Because 
       we generate source file H5tinit.c from a generated 64-bit executable, 
       this must be done on a 64-bit machine.
    
    
Prerequisites:

    1. A 64-bit Windows machine.  Either AMD64 and Itanium is supported.
    
    2. Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or 2008 installed with x64 Extensions.
           

Building:

    Building 64-bit Windows binaries is very similar to the process for 32-bit.
    Therefore, you may follow the instructions in Section II with the following
    modifications.
    
        1. The x64 platform must be selected in the build configuration for
           debug and release versions.  Before building, go to "Build", 
           "Configuration Manager".  In the "Active solution platform" box, 
           select "x64", and press "Close".
           
        2. 64-bit HDF5 must be built with 64-bit external libraries, unless
           external library support is disabled.  You must add the include and
           library paths for x64 configurations as you have in the 
           "Prerequisites" section.  This is also true for Intel Fortran if
           Fortran libraries are to be built.  If you do not wish to use
           external libraries, please read Section V about disabling them.        
        
Testing:
    
    We provide a test suite to verify all libraries and tools were built
    successfully.  This test suite should work identically on 32- and 64-bit
    builds.  Therefore, you may follow the instructions in Section II about
    testing.  Note that because 64-bit binaries were built, these tests must 
    run on a 64-bit machine.
        
Installing:

    We provide a script that will install all headers, libraries, and tools
    into one folder, hdf5lib.  This script should work identically on 32- and 
    64-bit  builds.  Therefore, you may follow the instructions in Section II 
    about installing.  

========================================================================
            Section X: How to build HDF5 on Windows Vista
========================================================================
Building on Windows Vista is very similar to building on Windows XP, with
some minor changes.  Therefore, follow the build instructions above, with the
following considerations:

    1. Only Visual Studio 2005 and 2008 is currently supported on Windows Vista.
       This is because Microsoft has ended their support for and .NET.
       
    2. Building Fortran libraries has not been tested, and is therefore also
       unsupported.  You may attempt to build Fortran libraries following the
       instructions above, but they should be considered experimental and used
       for testing only.
       
    3. Elevated security permissions are required to test the HDF5 libraries.
       This is because DLLs are installed in the system directory.  To enable
       elevated security:
       
            1. In the Start menu, search for "Command Prompt".  Right click on
               the "Command Prompt" program, and select "Run as administrator."
               
            2. A security dialog will pop up.  Make sure you select "Continue."
            
            3. Test HDF5 libraries and tools as usual using "hdf5check.bat"
               script.


========================================================================
            Section XI: How to build HDF5 using Visual Studio 2008
========================================================================
Building with Visual Studio 2008 is very similar to building with Visual Studio
2005, with some minor changes.  Therefore, follow the build instructions above, 
with the following considerations:

    1. Visual Studio 2008 uses a new format for project files, but Visual Studio
       2005 project files can be easily converted.  The HDF5 project files
       will need to be converted on first use.  To do so:
       
       1.1. Open the HDF5 Visual Studio 2005 solution file as in Section II
            (either all.sln or all_fortran.sln if building Fortran.)
            
       1.2. You will be prompted with an automatic conversion wizard.  Click
            through, accepting the default values.  You may choose to create
            backups of the project files, although it isn't necessary.
            
       1.3. When it is finished, it should state that all projects were
            converted successfully with no errors.  Warnings can be ignored.
            
    2. Once the project files have been converted, build and test normally.
       Note that the converted project files aren't backwards compatible with
       previous versions of Visual Studio.


========================================================================
        Section XII: Backwards Compatibility with HDF5 1.6
========================================================================

Several basic HDF5 functions have changed over the years as requirements on 
the library and data format have evolved. To enable existing applications to 
run properly, all versions of these functions have been retained; for 
flexibility and ease-of-use, macros have been created that can be mapped 
either globally to broad sets of function versions or on a 
function-by-function basis to specific versions. For example, an overall 
approach can be determined by means global setting; function-level settings 
can then be used to override the global setting then for specific functions.

To enable 1.6 API symbols in your application:

    1. Build and test HDF5 normally (see Section II).
    
    2. Open your application in Visual Studio.  Right click on the
       project file, and select properties.
       
    3. Select the C/C++ > Preprocessor pane on the left.  In the list of
       "Preprocessor Definitions", add "H5_USE_16_API". (Note: macros in
       the list are separated by a semi-colon.)
       
    4. Repeat this for each project and project configuration that uses
       HDF5 libraries.
       
    5. Continue to build and test your application normally.


========================================================================
                            Section XIII: Misc.
========================================================================

1. Helpful Pointers

Here are some helpful notes if you are not familiar with
using the Visual C++ Development Environment.

    1.1 Project name and location issues:

    It is recommended that you use the given directory structure for building
    HDF5.  However, it is possible to create your own structure.  If you must 
    install all.sln and all.vcproj in another directory, relative to hdf5 
    directory, you will be asked to locate the sub-project files, when you open 
    the project all.sln.

    If you want to rename "all" (the entire project), you will need to modify 
    two files all.sln and all.vcproj as text (contrary to the explicit warnings 
    in the files).


    1.2 Settings... details:

    If you create your own project, the necessary settings can be read
    from the all.vcproj file (as text), or from the Project Settings in the
    Visual Studio project settings dialog.
    
    1.3 FAQ
    
    Many other common questions and hints are located online and being updated
    in the HDF5 FAQ.  For Windows-specific questions, please see:
    
        http://www.hdfgroup.uiuc.edu/windows/faq.html
        
    For all other general questions, you can look in the general FAQ:
    
        http://hdfgroup.org/HDF5-FAQ.html

    
************************************************************************
 Please send email to help@hdfgroup.org for further assistance.