Package hdf.object

Class FileFormat

Object
File
hdf.object.FileFormat
All Implemented Interfaces:
Serializable, Comparable<File>
Direct Known Subclasses:
FitsFile, H4File, H5File, NC2File

public abstract class FileFormat extends File
FileFormat defines general interfaces for working with files whose data is organized according to a supported format. FileFormat is a pluggable component. New implementing classes of FileFormat can be added to the list of supported file formats. Current implementing classes include H5File and H4File. By default, H5File and H4File are added to the list of supported file formats maintained by the static FileFormat instance.
                                    FileFormat
                       _________________|_________________
                       |                |                |
                     H5File          H4File           Other...
 
A FileFormat instance may exist without being associated with a given file. A FileFormat instance may be associated with a file that is not open for access. Most typically, a FileFormat instance is used to open the associated file and perform operations such as retrieval and manipulation (if the file access is read-write) of the file structure and objects.
Version:
2.4 9/4/2007
Author:
Peter X. Cao
See Also: