using hdf5 libs on linux

Hi!
I´m trying now to install the HDF5 libraries on linux. I downloaded the binary distribution, but I really don´t know what to do next (sorry, if these are very stupid questions):
Does the binary distribution mean that the libraries are already build and that I don´t need to build them by myself?
Do I need to run any configure files to use the libraries on my system?
How do I use them now? I have a .cpp - file which I want to compile and it uses the hdf5 - libraries, i.e. it says #include "hdf5". What do I have to put in the makefile?

Thanks a lot!
Natalie Happenhofer

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Hi!
I´m trying now to install the HDF5 libraries on linux. I downloaded the
binary distribution, but I really don´t know what to do next (sorry, if
these are very stupid questions):

There is no such thing as a stupid question.

Does the binary distribution mean that the libraries are already build and
that I don´t need to build them by myself?

Yes.

Do I need to run any configure files to use the libraries on my system?

If you want to use the compiler wrapper scripts you need to edit them
to set the paths, and you need to edit a shell startup file to add the
bin directory to your PATH.

How do I use them now? I have a .cpp - file which I want to compile and it
uses the hdf5 - libraries, i.e. it says #include "hdf5". What do I have to
put in the makefile?

Maybe nothing.

This is a pretty open-ended project. It may go smoothly or may become
a morass.

You may feel more comfortable with this if you start by reading a bit about
building programs in unix/linux. There are good online tutorials, and also
'The Art of UNIX Programming", but Eric Raymond. You should get to
the point where you can compile a simple C++ program so you get a
feel for what is involved before tackling a project like this. You should
make sure things are working by building some of the example programs
from the HDF5-Tutorial. Unfortunately, the tutorial doesn't seem to have
any C++ examples.

Some questions that will help you get better advice:

0. is this C++ file a program or a some function that will
     be used by a main program? There are some other
    cases such as a module that is dynamically loaded
    by some application that would require much more information
   from you.

1. does the c++ program do something that can't be done
    more easily with existing tools? Many matrix languages
    (matlab, IDL, and free clones octave, gnudatalanguage)
    have hdf5 support.

2. what versions of the library does the c++ program expect?

3. why not install the hdf5 libraries from your linux distro? If the
    Makefile refers to h5c++, then I think you do need to use the
    binary distribution.

4. is this a one-off thing or do you expect to use hdf5 with
     other programs?

5. what linux distro and version?

6. does the Makefile use h5c++? If so, and you have done the
required edits, then "make" may work with no further changes.
The most likely problem is that you need to add

#define H5_USE_16_API

just before the #include "hdf5" line because the program was
written for the old version of the library.

···

On Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 5:15 AM, Natalie Happenhofer <nataliehapp@hotmail.com> wrote:

--
George N. White III <aa056@chebucto.ns.ca>
Head of St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia

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