from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
Hierarchical Data Format
HDF
<file format, data> (HDF) A {library} and multi-object file
format for the transfer of graphical and numerical data
between computeres. The freely available HDF distribution
consists of the library, command line utilities, test suite
source, {Java} interface, and the Java-based HDF Viewer (JHV).
HDF supports several different {data models}, including
multidimensional {arrays}, {raster images}, and tables. Each
defines a specific aggregate data type and provides an {API}
for reading, writing, and organising the data and {metadata}.
New data models can be added by the HDF developers or users.
HDF is self-describing, allowing an application to interpret
the structure and contents of a file without any outside
information.
One HDF file can hold a mixture of related objects which can
be accessed as a group or as individual objects. Users can
create their own grouping structures called "vgroups".
HDF files can be shared across most common {platforms},
including many workstations and high performance computers.
An HDF file created on one computer can be read on a different
system without modification.
(http://hdf.ncsa.uiuc.edu/).
(2001-07-02)