HDF5 versioning, again?
In this episode, we review versioning in the context of the HDF5 library and file format, and its implications for compatibility, interoperability, and data longevity. Everybody understands backwards compatibility, but when I heard forward compatibility for the first time, I thought of the movie “Back to the Future.” I will try to answer questions such as “Why can’t there be a single version just for the whole thing?” or “Why doesn’t an HDF5 file have a (default) version?” The fundamental complexity around versioning stems from the conflict between innovation and interoperability, which is a, if not the, central element of HDF5 design philosophy. The good news is that, except for developers, data planners, curators, archivists, system administrators, and HPC center staff, this discussion may be an obscure technical detail.
To join, just jump on the zoom:
Launch Meeting - Zoom
July 15, 2025,12:20 p.m. central time US/Canada
