2. Overview
[XMDF Documentation]

Modules
	2.1. Overcoming Binary Portability Issues
	2.2. HDF5 Methodology
	2.3. HDF5 Viewer
	2.4. XMDF Organization
	2.5. API Overview

---

Detailed Description

The long term goal of this development is to create a fast, efficient, and simple methodology for storing, accessing, and sharing data used in a numerical simulation. In developing a strategy, we must first define the format (both general and specific). The general format question is that of binary vs. ASCII. The specific format question includes detailed data access and storage methods.

Binary files have size and speed performance advantages over ASCII files. However, because binary files are difficult to view, use, and vary from one platform to another, ASCII files are often utilized for clarity and portability. This becomes cumbersome when large simulations are considered.