HDFView 3.5.0 is now available.
The release addresses several long-standing issues. HDFView is now more reliable for variable-length and compound data, and easier to set up on all supported platforms.
Download the latest release from the HDFView download page.
Better Support for Complex HDF5 Data
HDFView 3.5.0 significantly improves how data of nested datatypes is displayed and handled.
Compound types let HDF5 store records with multiple members, including nested records and variable-length values.
With this release:
- Variable-length sequences of compound types can now be read and displayed. Each sequence appears in a single table cell, for example [{1, 2}, {3, 4}].
- Compound datasets and attributes with variable-length or nested compound members now display correctly, with nested values shown in a single cell. Previously, these structures could produce error values, missing columns, files that failed to open, or crashes.
Less Configuration, Smoother Startup
Bundled HDF5 filter plugins are now found automatically on every platform. Datasets that use these filters open without changing the plugin path. The Windows and macOS installers now correctly include the plugin files.
On Windows, other HDF4 or HDF5 installations on PATH no longer prevent the packaged application from starting.
Respect for User Options
Single-writer/multiple-reader (SWMR) access lets readers inspect a file while another process writes to it. Previously, HDFView always opened files read-only in SWMR mode, regardless of the SWMR setting in User Options. It now follows that setting.
Similarly, the Apply Bitmask and Show Value of Selected Bits options now affect the displayed data.
Updated Libraries and Platform Support
HDFView 3.5.0 was:
- Built and tested with HDF5 2.2.0 (up from 2.0.0) and HDF 4.4.0 (up from 4.3.1)
- Built and tested with OpenJDK 21
- Tested on Ubuntu 24, Fedora, Windows, and macOS (arm64 and x86_64)
- Packaged with jpackage from JDK 21
Get HDFView 3.5.0
- Download HDFView 3.5.0 from the HDFView download page.
- For the complete list of changes and fixes, see the HDFView 3.5.0 CHANGELOG.
- Have questions or feedback? Join the conversation on the HDF Forum.