Hierarchical Data Format 5
An H5 file contains scientific data arrays. HDF has two versions - HDF4 and HDF5. HDF4 files use .H4 extension. HDF5 files use .H5 extension. The HDF Group lists programs to read H4 files. One is GDAL...
General Information
| Title | H5 File Extension |
| Extension | .h5 |
| Full Form | Hierarchical Data Format 5 |
| File Type | Data File |
| Developer | The HDF Group |
| MIME Type | application/x-hdf5 |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store data |
| Additional Functions | Organize, Manage datasets |
| Features | Multidimensional arrays, Compression, Portability |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High precision |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | Yes, with tools |
Use Cases
| Scientific Research | Yes |
| Large Datasets | Yes |
| Complex Data | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Data corruption |
| Best Practices | Data validation, Backups |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 1997 |
| Latest Version | HDF5-1.12.0 (2020) |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .hdf, .hdf4, .he5 |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 HDFView |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| MATLAB |
Licensed | Windows, Mac, Linux |
 Python h5py |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |