Hierarchical Data Format
General Information
| Title | HDF4 File Extension |
| Extension | .h4 |
| Full Form | Hierarchical Data Format |
| File Type | Data File |
| Developer | National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) |
| MIME Type | application/x-hdf |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store multidimensional data |
| Additional Functions | Store graphics, satellite data |
| Features | Hierarchical, Scientific data |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High precision |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | With software |
Use Cases
| Scientific Research | Yes |
| Environmental Data | Yes |
| Remote Sensing | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low |
| Best Practices | Regular updates, Format migration |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Late 1980s |
| Latest Version | HDF4.2.15 (2020) |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .hdf, .h5, .he5 |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 HDFView |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| MATLAB |
Licensed | Windows, Mac, Linux |
 Python with h4py |
Free | Cross-platform |