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| HDF5 Last Updated on 2026-03-23 The HDF5 Field Guide

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Reference Manual (RM) Page Template

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We treat documentation like code and use Doxygen to markup comments in the code or create stand-alone pages.

Every RM entry consists of a subset of the elements listed below. Not every RM entry warrants the full set. More is better, and we can, perhaps, distinguish minimal, typical, and great RM entries.

A minimal RM entry must include elements 1-3, 8, 11, and 7 if applicable.

A typical RM entry is a minimal RM entry that in addition has elements 9, 10, and 12.

A great RM entry is a typical RM entry plus everything else.

The current RM is a mixed bag. Take what's there with a pinch of salt and apply the Scout Rule!

RM entry elements

1. Module indication
   - Indicate the HDF5 module in which the function will appear.

              * \ingroup H5XYZ

2. Synopsis
   - A phrase or sentence that summarizes the function's purpose

              * \brief Simplifies your life

3. Prototype (parameters and return value)
   - A description of the function parameters and return value

              * \param[in]     name1 Description of IN parameter \p name1
              * \param[out]    name2 Description of OUT parameter \p name2
              * \param[in,out] name3 Description of INOUT parameter \p name3
              * \return Returns what you always wanted

   - Clearly indicate the parameter direction as `in`, `out`, or in,out
   - Make reference to other parameters using \p
4. Preconditions
   - A set of preconditions that must be met.

              * \pre The argument supplied in parameter \p name2 must be even.

5. Invariants
   - A set of invariants.

              * \invariant The mouse pointer will always be visible.

6. Postconditions
   - What will be true when the function returns.

              * \post On error, the output parameters will be unmodified.

7. Deprecation note
   - If a function was deprecated, list the version in which the function was deprecated (below), why it was deprecated, and which function(s) succeed it.

              * \deprecated Deprecated in favor of another great function.

8. Details
   - A detailed description of the function's behavior

              * \details This is the heart of the matter. Try to be helpful!

9. Example
   - The function in context and action, usually a (Doxygen) snippet.

              * \par Example
              * \snippet H5F_examples.c minimal

10. Instruction (attention, note, warning)
    - Behaviors, features, side-effects, etc. the user should be aware of

               * \note  Dear reader, ...
               *
               * \attention Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
               *
               * \warning Don't do this at home!

11. Since
    - The HDF5 library version in which the function was introduced

               * \since 1.MAJOR.MINOR

12. Version
    - Use this element to record a deprecation version, a change in parameter types, changes in behavior, etc.

               * \version 1.MAJOR.MINOR Function was deprecated in this release

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