ecearth3/sources/tm5mp/base/mdf.F90

!#######################################################################
!
!               MDF - Multiple Data Format
!
! NAME
!   MDF  -  generic interface to a number of scientific data formats
!
!
! BACKGROUND
!
!   Single interface to multipe file formats.
!   From 'multiple' it should evolve into 'many' and preferably 'most'.
!
!   This module is intended to replace an older f90 interface to HDF4
!   called 'file_hdf'.
!
!   Creation of file follows the steps similar to writing a NetCDF file:
!    o opening of the file
!    o (global attributes)
!    o definition of dimensions (plus attributes)
!    o definition of variables (plus attributes)
!    o end of definition phase
!    o write one or more time records
!    o close file
!
!
! PROCEDURES
!
!   !
!   ! module initialisation
!   !
!
!   subroutine MDF_Init( status )
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!   !
!   ! write data
!   !
!
!   ! create a new file for output:
!   subroutine MDF_Create( filename, ftype, cmode, hid, status )
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  filename
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  ftype
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  cmode
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  hid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!   ! ... or create more than one with different formats;
!   ! specify a single base name and an equal number of extensions and type:
!   subroutine MDF_Create( basename, exts, ftypes, cmode, hid, status )
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  basename
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  exts(:)
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  ftypes(:)
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  cmode
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  hid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!   subroutine MDF_Def_Dim( hid, name, length, dimid, status )
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  length
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  dimid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!   subroutine MDF_Def_Var( hid, name, xtype, dimids, varid, status, &
!                                 compression, deflate_level )
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  xtype
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  dimids(:)
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  varid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  compression
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  deflate_level  ! 0-9
!
!   subroutine MDF_Put_Att( hid, varid, name, values, status )
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
!     <type>, intent(in)                  ::  value(s)
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!   subroutine MDF_EndDef( hid, status )
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!   ! put variable:
!   subroutine MDF_Put_Var( hid, varid, values, status, &
!                             start, count, stride, map )
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
!     <type>, intent(in)                  ::  values(<shape>)
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status    
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start(:)        ! (/1,1,..,1/)
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count(:)
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map(:)
!
!   ! close file(s):
!   subroutine MDF_Close( hid, status )
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  hid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!   !
!   ! read file
!   !
!
!   ! open single file:
!   subroutine MDF_Open( filename, ftype, mode, hid, status )
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  filename
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  ftype
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  mode
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  hid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!   subroutine MDF_Inquire( hid, status, &
!                             nDimensions, nVariables, nAttributes )
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!     integer, intent(out), optional      ::  nDimensions
!     integer, intent(out), optional      ::  nVariables
!     integer, intent(out), optional      ::  nAttributes
!
!   subroutine MDF_Inq_DimID( hid, name, dimid, status )
!     integer, intent(in)                           ::  hid
!     character(len=*), intent(in)                  ::  name
!     integer, intent(out)                          ::  dimid
!     integer, intent(out)                          ::  status
!
!   subroutine MDF_Inquire_Dimension( hid, dimid, status, name, length, unlimited )
!     integer, intent(in)                           ::  hid
!     integer, intent(in)                           ::  dimid
!     integer, intent(out)                          ::  status
!     character(len=*), intent(out), optional       ::  name
!     integer, intent(out), optional                ::  length
!     logical, intent(out), optional                ::  unlimited
!
!   subroutine MDF_Inq_VarID( hid, name, varid, status )
!     integer, intent(in)                           ::  hid
!     character(len=*), intent(in)                  ::  name
!     integer, intent(out)                          ::  varid
!     integer, intent(out)                          ::  status
!
!   subroutine MDF_Inquire_Variable( hid, varid, status, &
!                                      name, xtype, ndims, dimids, natts )
!     integer, intent(in)                           ::  hid
!     integer, intent(in)                           ::  varid
!     integer, intent(out)                          ::  status
!     character(len=*), intent(out), optional       ::  name
!     integer, intent(out), optional                ::  xtype
!     integer, intent(out), optional                ::  ndims
!     integer, intent(out), optional                ::  dimids(:)
!     integer, intent(out), optional                ::  natts
!
!   subroutine MDF_Get_Var( hid, varid, values, status, &
!                                        start, count, stride, map )
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
!     <type>, intent(out)                 ::  values(<shape>)
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
!
!   subroutine MDF_Inq_AttName( hid, varid, attnum, name, status )
!     integer, intent(in)                           ::  hid
!     integer, intent(in)                           ::  varid
!     integer, intent(in)                           ::  attnum
!     character(len=*), intent(out)                 ::  name
!     integer, intent(out)                          ::  status
!
!   subroutine MDF_Inquire_Attribute( hid, varid, name, status, xtype, length )
!     integer, intent(in)                           ::  hid
!     integer, intent(in)                           ::  varid
!     character(len=*), intent(out)                 ::  name
!     integer, intent(out)                          ::  status
!     integer, intent(out), optional                ::  xtype
!     integer, intent(out), optional                ::  length
!
!   subroutine MDF_Get_Att( hid, varid, name, values, status )
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
!     <type>, intent(out)                 ::  value(s)
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!   ! close file:
!   subroutine MDF_Close( hid, status )
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  hid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!   !
!   ! parallel access
!   !
!
!   ! create a new file for output:
!   subroutine MDF_Create( filename, ftype, cmode, hid, status, &
!                             mpi_comm=comm, mpi_info=MPI_INFO_NULL )
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  filename
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  cmode
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  hid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  mpi_comm
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  mpi_info
!
!   ! ... or create more than one with different formats;
!   ! specify a single base name and an equal number of extensions and type:
!   subroutine MDF_Create( basename, exts, ftypes, cmode, hid, status, &
!                             mpi_comm=comm, mpi_info=MPI_INFO_NULL )
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  basename
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  exts(:)
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  ftypes(:)
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  cmode
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  hid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  mpi_comm
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  mpi_info
!
!   ! open single file:
!   subroutine MDF_Open( filename, ftype, mode, hid, status, &
!                             mpi_comm=comm, mpi_info=MPI_INFO_NULL )
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  filename
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  ftype
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  mode
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  hid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  mpi_comm
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  mpi_info
!
!   ! parallel access mode (see NetCDF4 manual):
!   subroutine MDF_Var_Par_Access( hid, varid, par_access_mode, status )
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  varid
!     integer, intent(in)                 ::  par_access_mode
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!   !
!   ! show file content
!   !
!
!   ! show file headers similar to 'ncdump -h' ;
!   ! file type is guessed from extension if not specified directly:
!   subroutine MDF_Show( filename, status [,filetype=MDF_NETCDF4|MDF_HDF|...] )
!     character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  filename
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!     integer, intent(in), optional       ::  filetype
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!   !
!   ! end module access
!   !
!
!   ! done with module:
!   subroutine MDF_Done( status )
!     integer, intent(out)                ::  status
!
!
! CREATION AND OPEN MODES
!
!   MDF_NEW     : new file, error if already present
!   MDF_REPLACE : new file, overwrite older file if necessary
!   MDF_READ    : open existing file for reading
!   MDF_WRITE   : open existing file for writing
!
!
! FILE TYPES
!
!   MDF_HDF4      :  HDF4
!   MDF_NETCDF    :  NetCDF  (clasical format ; via NetCDF-3 or NetCDF-4 library)
!   MDF_NETCDF4   :  NetCDF4 (HDF5 format ; via NetCDF-4 library with NetCDF-4 features enabled;
!                             requires linking with HDF5 library too)
!
!
! GLOBAL ATTRIBUTES
!
!   To write global attributes, use the constant 'MDF_GLOBAL' as variable id.
!
!
! UNLIMITED DIMENSION
!
!   To define an unlimited dimension, use the constant 'MDF_UNLIMITED' 
!   as dimension length.
!
!
! DATA TYPES
!
!   MDF_CHAR  
!   MDF_BYTE  
!   MDF_SHORT 
!   MDF_INT   
!   MDF_FLOAT 
!   MDF_DOUBLE
!
!
! PARALLEL ACCESS MODES
!
!   MDF_INDEPENDENT        ! independent data mode (one processor at a time can read/write)
!   MDF_COLLECTIVE         ! collective data mode (several processors can do I/O simultaneously )
!
!
! FPP MACRO'S
!
!   The following fpp macro's might be defined to compile only certain parts of the code:
!   
!   with_hdf4        : compile with calls to HDF (=HDF4) library
!   with_netcdf      : compile with calls to NetCDF library
!   with_netcdf4     : compile with calls to NetCDF-4 library with NetCDF-4 features enabled;
!                        automatically defines 'with_netcdf'
!   with_netcdf4_par : compile with calls to NetCDF-4 library with NetCDF-4 and parallel
!                        features enabled; automatically defines 'with_netcdf4'
!
!   with_go          : GO module is availble.
!                      If this macro is not set, the required parts of GO are simulated.
!
!
! PARALLEL I/O FOR DIFFERENT NETCDF4 VERSIONS
!
!  From NetCDF version 4.1 onwards it seems necessary to use a special creation mode
!  named 'MPIIO' to open a file for parallel I/O :
!
!      status = NF90_Create( 'test.nc', NF90_NETCDF4+NF90_MPIIO, ncid,&
!                                 comm=MPI_COMM_WORLD, info=MPI_INFO_NULL )
!
!  The following errors are related to this creation mode:
!   o In version 4.0.1, there is no parameter 'NF90_MPIIO' yet.
!   o In version 4.1.2, when 'NF90_MPIIO' is not used then the first call to a
!     parallel i/o routine will raise:
!       "Parallel operation on file opened for non-parallel acces"
!   o In version 4.1.3, when 'NF90_Create' is called with 'comm' and 'info' arguments
!     but not with creation mode 'NF90_MPIIO' :
!       "Invalid argument" on create if opened with comm/info but not with creation mode NF90_MPIIO 
!
!  To handle the 'NF90_MPIIO' behaviour correctly, the MDF module checks the NetCDF library
!  version and uses hardcoded values to set the creation mode. If a version is not supported yet,
!  an error message is raised and the user is suggested to add a new line to the code to support
!  the new version.
!  
!### macro's ###########################################################
!
#define TRACEBACK write (gol,'("in ",a," (",a,i6,")")') rname, __FILE__, __LINE__ ; call goErr
!
#define IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(action) if (status/=0) then; TRACEBACK; action; return; end if
#define IF_ERROR_RETURN(action) if (status> 0) then; TRACEBACK; action; return; end if
!
#define IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(action) if (status/=NF90_NOERR) then; gol=NF90_StrError(status); call goErr; TRACEBACK; action; return; end if
!
! macro's:
#include "mdf.inc"
!
!#######################################################################

! netcdf4_par interface includes netcdf4 ...
#ifdef with_netcdf4_par
#define with_netcdf4
#endif

! netcdf4 interface includes netcdf3 ...
#ifdef with_netcdf4
#define with_netcdf
#endif

module MDF

#ifdef with_go
  use GO, only : gol, goPr, goErr
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
  use NETCDF, only : NF90_NOERR, NF90_StrError
#endif

  implicit none
  

  ! --- in/out ---------------------------------------

  private

  public  ::  MDF_Init, MDF_Done
  
  public  ::  MDF_Create, MDF_Open, MDF_Close
  public  ::  MDF_EndDef
  public  ::  MDF_Inquire

  public  ::  MDF_Def_Dim
  public  ::  MDF_Inq_DimID
  public  ::  MDF_Inquire_Dimension

  public  ::  MDF_Def_Var
  public  ::  MDF_Var_Par_Access
  public  ::  MDF_Inq_VarID
  public  ::  MDF_Inquire_Variable
  public  ::  MDF_Put_Var
  public  ::  MDF_Get_Var

  public  ::  MDF_Put_Att
  public  ::  MDF_Get_Att
  
  public  ::  MDF_Show

  public  ::  MDF_NONE

  public  ::  MDF_NEW
  public  ::  MDF_REPLACE
  public  ::  MDF_READ
  public  ::  MDF_WRITE
  
  public  ::  MDF_HDF4
  public  ::  MDF_HDF5
  public  ::  MDF_NETCDF
  public  ::  MDF_NETCDF4
  
  public  ::  MDF_CHAR  
  public  ::  MDF_BYTE  
  public  ::  MDF_SHORT 
  public  ::  MDF_INT   
  public  ::  MDF_FLOAT 
  public  ::  MDF_DOUBLE
  public  ::  MDF_DATATYPE_NAME
  
  public  ::  MDF_DEFLATE
  
  public  ::  MDF_INDEPENDENT, MDF_COLLECTIVE

  public  ::  MDF_GLOBAL
  public  ::  MDF_UNLIMITED
  

  ! --- const ----------------------------------------

  character(len=*), parameter  ::  mname = 'MDF'
  
  !
  ! creation modes
  !
  
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_NEW     = 1
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_REPLACE = 2
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_READ    = 3
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_WRITE   = 4
  !
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_CMODE_MAX = MDF_WRITE
  character(len=*), parameter ::  MDF_CMODE_NAME(1:MDF_CMODE_MAX) = &
                                            (/ 'new    ', 'replace', 'read   ', 'write  ' /)

  !
  ! file types
  !
  
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_HDF4      = 1
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_HDF5      = 2
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_NETCDF    = 3
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_NETCDF4   = 4
  !
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_FILETYPE_MAX = MDF_NETCDF4
  character(len=*), parameter ::  MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(1:MDF_FILETYPE_MAX) = &
                                    (/ 'HDF4   ', 'HDF5   ', 'NetCDF ', 'NetCDF4' /)

  !
  ! data types
  !
  
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_CHAR   = 1  ! character
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_BYTE   = 2  ! integer(1)
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_SHORT  = 3  ! integer(2)
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_INT    = 4  ! integer(4)
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_FLOAT  = 5  ! real(4)
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_DOUBLE = 6  ! real(8)
  !
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_DATATYPE_MAX = MDF_DOUBLE
  character(len=*), parameter ::  MDF_DATATYPE_NAME(1:MDF_DATATYPE_MAX) = &
             (/ 'char  ','byte  ','short ','int   ','float ', 'double' /)

  !
  ! compression
  !
  
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_DEFLATE = 1
  !
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_COMPRESSION_MAX = MDF_DEFLATE
  character(len=*), parameter ::  MDF_COMPRESSION_NAME(1:MDF_COMPRESSION_MAX) = &
             (/ 'deflate' /)

  !
  ! parallel access
  !
  
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_INDEPENDENT = 1
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_COLLECTIVE  = 2
  !
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_PARALLEL_ACCESS_MAX = MDF_INDEPENDENT
  character(len=*), parameter ::  MDF_PARALLEL_ACCESS_NAME(1:MDF_PARALLEL_ACCESS_MAX) = &
             (/ 'independent' /)

  !
  ! special parameters
  !
  
  ! dummy ...
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_NONE  = -100

  ! special 'variable id' to add global attributes:
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_GLOBAL     = -101
  
  ! special dimension 'length' to denote unlimited dimension:
  integer, parameter          ::  MDF_UNLIMITED  = -102
  
  
#ifdef with_hdf4
  !
  ! hdf4 parameters
  !

  ! library constants constants
  include "hdf.f90"

  ! working precision of hdf library, used for handles:
  integer, parameter    ::  hdf4_wpi = 4
#endif

  !
  ! internal
  !
  
  ! maximum rank of Fortran arrays:
  integer, parameter    ::  MAX_RANK = 7
  
  ! maximum length for variable names etc:
  integer, parameter    ::  LEN_NAME = 64
  integer, parameter    ::  LEN_FILE = 512
  integer, parameter    ::  LEN_LINE = 4000


  ! --- types ----------------------------------------

  ! interface to MDF dimension
  
  type MDF_Dim
    ! standard fields:
    character(len=LEN_NAME)     ::  name
    integer                     ::  length
    logical                     ::  unlimited
    logical                     ::  named
    ! dimension id's
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                     ::  netcdf_dimid
#endif
  end type MDF_Dim


  ! Define a structure with a pointer to the type;
  ! this is necessary to create a list of pointers:
  type P_MDF_Dim
    type(MDF_Dim), pointer      ::  p
  end type P_MDF_Dim

  ! define storage type for list with pointers:
  type MDF_Dim_List
    ! array of pointers; flexible size, increased if necessary
    type(P_MDF_Dim), pointer    ::  item(:)
    ! maximum number of filled items:
    integer                         ::  maxitem
    ! actual number of filled items:
    integer                         ::  nitem
  end type MDF_Dim_List


  ! interface to MDF variable
  
  type MDF_Var
    ! standard fields:
    character(len=LEN_NAME)     ::  name
    integer                     ::  xtype
    integer                     ::  xkind
    integer                     ::  ndim
    integer                     ::  dimids(MAX_RANK)
    integer                     ::  shp(MAX_RANK)
    integer                     ::  natt
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                     ::  hdf4_sdid
    integer                     ::  hdf4_xtype
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)              ::  hdf5_dataset_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)     ::  hdf5_name
    integer(HSIZE_T)            ::  hdf5_dims     (MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)            ::  hdf5_maxdims  (MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)            ::  hdf5_chunkdims(MAX_RANK)
    logical                     ::  hdf5_chunked
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                     ::  netcdf_varid
#endif
  end type MDF_Var


  ! Define a structure with a pointer to the type;
  ! this is necessary to create a list of pointers:
  type P_MDF_Var
    type(MDF_Var), pointer      ::  p
  end type P_MDF_Var

  ! define storage type for list with pointers:
  type MDF_Var_List
    ! array of pointers; flexible size, increased if necessary
    type(P_MDF_Var), pointer    ::  item(:)
    ! maximum number of filled items:
    integer                         ::  maxitem
    ! actual number of filled items:
    integer                         ::  nitem
  end type MDF_Var_List


  ! interface to io file
  
  type MDF_File
    ! name of the file or basename of multiple files:
    character(len=LEN_FILE)     ::  filename
    ! creation mode:
    integer                     ::  cmode
    ! parallel i/o ?
    logical                     ::  parallel
    ! dimensions:
    type(MDF_Dim_List)          ::  Dim_List
    ! variables:
    type(MDF_Var_List)          ::  Var_List
    ! number of global attributes:
    integer                     ::  natt
    ! file types:
    integer                     ::  nftype
    integer                     ::  ftypes(1:MDF_FILETYPE_MAX)
    ! access to file types:
#ifdef with_hdf4
    character(len=LEN_FILE)     ::  hdf4_fname
    integer                     ::  hdf4_id
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    character(len=LEN_FILE)     ::  hdf5_fname
    integer(HID_T)              ::  hdf5_file_id
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    character(len=LEN_FILE)     ::  netcdf_fname
    integer                     ::  netcdf_id
#endif
  end type MDF_File


  ! Define a structure with a pointer to the type;
  ! this is necessary to create a list of pointers:
  type P_MDF_File
    type(MDF_File), pointer      ::  p
  end type P_MDF_File

  ! define storage type for list with pointers:
  type MDF_File_List
    ! array of pointers; flexible size, increased if necessary
    type(P_MDF_File), pointer    ::  item(:)
    ! maximum number of filled items:
    integer                         ::  maxitem
    ! actual number of filled items:
    integer                         ::  nitem
  end type MDF_File_List



  ! --- interfaces -----------------------------------
  
  interface MDF_Create
    module procedure MDF_Create_one
    module procedure MDF_Create_more
  end interface MDF_Create
  
  interface MDF_Put_Var
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_c1_1d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_c1_2d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_c1_3d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_c1_4d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_c1_5d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_c1_6d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_c1_7d
    !
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i1_1d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i1_2d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i1_3d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i1_4d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i1_5d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i1_6d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i1_7d
    !
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i2_1d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i2_2d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i2_3d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i2_4d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i2_5d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i2_6d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i2_7d
    !
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i4_1d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i4_2d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i4_3d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i4_4d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i4_5d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i4_6d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_i4_7d
    !
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r4_1d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r4_2d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r4_3d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r4_4d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r4_5d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r4_6d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r4_7d
    !
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r8_1d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r8_2d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r8_3d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r8_4d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r8_5d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r8_6d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Var_r8_7d
  end interface
  
  interface MDF_Get_Var
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_c1_1d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_c1_2d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_c1_3d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_c1_4d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_c1_5d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_c1_6d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_c1_7d
    !
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i1_1d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i1_2d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i1_3d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i1_4d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i1_5d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i1_6d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i1_7d
    !
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i2_1d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i2_2d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i2_3d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i2_4d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i2_5d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i2_6d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i2_7d
    !
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i4_1d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i4_2d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i4_3d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i4_4d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i4_5d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i4_6d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_i4_7d
    !
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r4_1d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r4_2d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r4_3d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r4_4d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r4_5d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r4_6d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r4_7d
    !
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r8_1d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r8_2d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r8_3d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r8_4d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r8_5d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r8_6d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Var_r8_7d
  end interface

  interface MDF_Put_Att
    module procedure MDF_Put_Att_c1_0d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Att_i1_0d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Att_i1_1d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Att_i2_0d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Att_i2_1d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Att_i4_0d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Att_i4_1d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Att_r4_0d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Att_r4_1d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Att_r8_0d
    module procedure MDF_Put_Att_r8_1d
  end interface

  interface MDF_Get_Att
    module procedure MDF_Get_Att_c1_0d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Att_i1_0d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Att_i1_1d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Att_i2_0d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Att_i2_1d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Att_i4_0d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Att_i4_1d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Att_r4_0d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Att_r4_1d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Att_r8_0d
    module procedure MDF_Get_Att_r8_1d
  end interface

  
  ! --- var ------------------------------------------

#ifndef with_go
  ! message line:
  character(len=1024)     ::  gol
#endif

  ! define lists:
  type(MDF_File_List)     ::  File_List
  

contains


#ifndef with_go

  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** GO surrogate
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************
  
  ! substitutes for message routines from GO modules
  
  ! display message:
  subroutine goPr
    write (*,'(a)') trim(gol)
  end subroutine goPr

  ! display error message:
  subroutine goErr
    write (*,'("ERROR - ",a)') trim(gol)
  end subroutine goErr
  
  ! free file unit:
  subroutine goGetFU( fu, status )
    integer, intent(out)    ::  fu
    integer, intent(out)    ::  status
    logical                 ::  opened
    fu = 456
    do
      inquire( unit=fu, opened=opened )
      if ( .not. opened ) exit
      fu = fu + 1
    end do
    status = 0
  end subroutine goGetFU

#endif


  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** MDF_Dim procedures
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************
  


  !
  ! Initialise a list.
  !

  subroutine MDF_Dim_List_Init( list, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_Dim_List), intent(out)       ::  list
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Dim_List_Init'

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! empty list:
    nullify( list%item )

    ! set counters:
    list%maxitem = 0
    list%nitem = 0

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Dim_List_Init


  ! ***


  !
  ! Clear list, deallocate content.
  !

  subroutine MDF_Dim_List_Done( list, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_Dim_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Dim_List_Done'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    integer           ::  i

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! list defined ?
    if ( associated(list%item) ) then
      ! loop over all possible indices:
      do i = 1, list%maxitem
        ! filled ?
        if ( associated(list%item(i)%p) ) then
          ! remove structure, reset to save value:
          deallocate( list%item(i)%p )
          nullify( list%item(i)%p )
        end if
      end do
      ! clear, reset to save value:
      deallocate( list%item )
      nullify( list%item )
    end if

    ! set counters:
    list%maxitem = 0
    list%nitem = 0

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Dim_List_Done


  ! ***


  !
  ! Add new item to list, return id number.
  !

  subroutine MDF_Dim_List_New_Item( list, hid, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_Dim_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Dim_List_New_Item'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    integer                             ::  i
    type(P_MDF_Dim), pointer        ::  item_new(:)

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! free item available ?
    if ( list%nitem < list%maxitem ) then
      ! search first empty item:
      hid = -1
      do i = 1, list%maxitem
        if ( .not. associated(list%item(i)%p) ) then
          hid = i
          exit
        end if
      end do
      ! not found ?
      if ( hid < 0 ) then
        write (gol,'("all items seem to be associated while counters suggest something else ...")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  maxitem : ",i6)') list%maxitem; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  nitem   : ",i6)') list%nitem; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    else
      ! allocate extra space:
      allocate( item_new(1:list%maxitem+100) )
      ! copy old pointers:
      do i = 1, list%maxitem
        item_new(i)%p => list%item(i)%p
      end do
      ! init new pointers:
      do i = list%maxitem+1, size(item_new)
        nullify(item_new(i)%p)
      end do
      ! first empty item:
      hid = list%maxitem+1
      ! clear old list if necessary:
      if ( associated(list%item) ) deallocate( list%item )
      ! point to new list:
      list%item => item_new
      ! reset size counter:
      list%maxitem = size(list%item)
      ! clear:
      nullify( item_new )
    end if

    ! allocate structure:
    allocate( list%item(hid)%p )

    ! increase counter:
    list%nitem = list%nitem + 1

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Dim_List_New_Item


  ! ***


  !
  ! Remove item with given id from list.
  !

  subroutine MDF_Dim_List_Clear_Item( list, hid, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_Dim_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(inout)                    ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Dim_List_Clear_Item'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! check index in list ...
    if ( (hid < 0) .or. (hid > list%maxitem) ) then
      write (gol,'("handle outside range:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  handle   : ",i6)') hid; call goErr
      write (gol,'("  range    : ",2i6)') 1, list%maxitem; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! check ...
    if ( .not. associated(list%item(hid)%p) ) then
      write (gol,'("handle not in use: ",i6)') hid; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! clear structure:
    deallocate( list%item(hid)%p )
    ! reset pointer to save value:
    nullify( list%item(hid)%p )

    ! reset counter:
    list%nitem = list%nitem - 1

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Dim_List_Clear_Item


  ! ***


  !
  ! Return pointer to user type given id.
  ! Status -1 if id is not in use.
  !

  subroutine MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( list, hid, p, status, silent )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_Dim_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(in)                       ::  hid
    type(MDF_Dim), pointer                ::  p
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    logical, intent(in), optional             ::  silent

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    logical     ::  shout

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! messages ?
    shout = .true.
    if ( present(silent) ) shout = .not. silent

    ! check index in list ...
    if ( (hid < 1) .or. (hid > list%maxitem) ) then
      write (gol,'("handle outside range:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  handle   : ",i6)') hid; call goErr
      write (gol,'("  range    : ",2i6)') 1, list%maxitem; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! check if handle is in use ...
    if ( .not. associated(list%item(hid)%p) ) then
      ! error or warning ?
      if ( shout ) then
        ! error status:
        write (gol,'("handle not in use: ",i6)') hid; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      else
        ! warning status; this routine is used to test if a handle is in use:
        nullify( p )
        status = -1 ; return
      end if
    end if

    ! set shorthand:
    p => list%item(hid)%p

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer


  ! ***


  !
  ! Return information:
  !   n
  !           Number of elements in use.
  !   maxid
  !           Current possible upper value for id's.
  !           Not all id's in {1,..,maxid} are in use.
  !           Usefull to implement a loop over all possible items.
  !

  subroutine MDF_Dim_List_Inquire( list, status, &
                                                  n, maxid )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_Dim_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    integer, intent(out), optional            ::  n
    integer, intent(out), optional            ::  maxid

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Dim_List_Inquire'

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! set values ?
    if ( present(n    ) ) n     = list%nitem
    if ( present(maxid) ) maxid = list%maxitem

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Dim_List_Inquire




  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** MDF_Var procedures
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************
  


  !
  ! Initialise a list.
  !

  subroutine MDF_Var_List_Init( list, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_Var_List), intent(out)       ::  list
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Var_List_Init'

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! empty list:
    nullify( list%item )

    ! set counters:
    list%maxitem = 0
    list%nitem = 0

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Var_List_Init


  ! ***


  !
  ! Clear list, deallocate content.
  !

  subroutine MDF_Var_List_Done( list, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_Var_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Var_List_Done'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    integer           ::  i

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! list defined ?
    if ( associated(list%item) ) then
      ! loop over all possible indices:
      do i = 1, list%maxitem
        ! filled ?
        if ( associated(list%item(i)%p) ) then
          ! remove structure, reset to save value:
          deallocate( list%item(i)%p )
          nullify( list%item(i)%p )
        end if
      end do
      ! clear, reset to save value:
      deallocate( list%item )
      nullify( list%item )
    end if

    ! set counters:
    list%maxitem = 0
    list%nitem = 0

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Var_List_Done


  ! ***


  !
  ! Add new item to list, return id number.
  !

  subroutine MDF_Var_List_New_Item( list, hid, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_Var_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Var_List_New_Item'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    integer                             ::  i
    type(P_MDF_Var), pointer        ::  item_new(:)

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! free item available ?
    if ( list%nitem < list%maxitem ) then
      ! search first empty item:
      hid = -1
      do i = 1, list%maxitem
        if ( .not. associated(list%item(i)%p) ) then
          hid = i
          exit
        end if
      end do
      ! not found ?
      if ( hid < 0 ) then
        write (gol,'("all items seem to be associated while counters suggest something else ...")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  maxitem : ",i6)') list%maxitem; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  nitem   : ",i6)') list%nitem; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    else
      ! allocate extra space:
      allocate( item_new(1:list%maxitem+100) )
      ! copy old pointers:
      do i = 1, list%maxitem
        item_new(i)%p => list%item(i)%p
      end do
      ! init new pointers:
      do i = list%maxitem+1, size(item_new)
        nullify(item_new(i)%p)
      end do
      ! first empty item:
      hid = list%maxitem+1
      ! clear old list if necessary:
      if ( associated(list%item) ) deallocate( list%item )
      ! point to new list:
      list%item => item_new
      ! reset size counter:
      list%maxitem = size(list%item)
      ! clear:
      nullify( item_new )
    end if

    ! allocate structure:
    allocate( list%item(hid)%p )

    ! increase counter:
    list%nitem = list%nitem + 1

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Var_List_New_Item


  ! ***


  !
  ! Remove item with given id from list.
  !

  subroutine MDF_Var_List_Clear_Item( list, hid, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_Var_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(inout)                    ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Var_List_Clear_Item'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! check index in list ...
    if ( (hid < 0) .or. (hid > list%maxitem) ) then
      write (gol,'("handle outside range:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  handle   : ",i6)') hid; call goErr
      write (gol,'("  range    : ",2i6)') 1, list%maxitem; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! check ...
    if ( .not. associated(list%item(hid)%p) ) then
      write (gol,'("handle not in use: ",i6)') hid; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! clear structure:
    deallocate( list%item(hid)%p )
    ! reset pointer to save value:
    nullify( list%item(hid)%p )

    ! reset counter:
    list%nitem = list%nitem - 1

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Var_List_Clear_Item


  ! ***


  !
  ! Return pointer to user type given id.
  ! Status -1 if id is not in use.
  !

  subroutine MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( list, hid, p, status, silent )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_Var_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(in)                       ::  hid
    type(MDF_Var), pointer                ::  p
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    logical, intent(in), optional             ::  silent

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    logical     ::  shout

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! messages ?
    shout = .true.
    if ( present(silent) ) shout = .not. silent

    ! check index in list ...
    if ( (hid < 1) .or. (hid > list%maxitem) ) then
      write (gol,'("handle outside range:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  handle   : ",i6)') hid; call goErr
      write (gol,'("  range    : ",2i6)') 1, list%maxitem; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! check if handle is in use ...
    if ( .not. associated(list%item(hid)%p) ) then
      ! error or warning ?
      if ( shout ) then
        ! error status:
        write (gol,'("handle not in use: ",i6)') hid; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      else
        ! warning status; this routine is used to test if a handle is in use:
        nullify( p )
        status = -1 ; return
      end if
    end if

    ! set shorthand:
    p => list%item(hid)%p

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer


  ! ***


  !
  ! Return information:
  !   n
  !           Number of elements in use.
  !   maxid
  !           Current possible upper value for id's.
  !           Not all id's in {1,..,maxid} are in use.
  !           Usefull to implement a loop over all possible items.
  !

  subroutine MDF_Var_List_Inquire( list, status, &
                                                  n, maxid )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_Var_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    integer, intent(out), optional            ::  n
    integer, intent(out), optional            ::  maxid

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Var_List_Inquire'

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! set values ?
    if ( present(n    ) ) n     = list%nitem
    if ( present(maxid) ) maxid = list%maxitem

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Var_List_Inquire




  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** MDF procedures
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************
  


  !
  ! Initialise a list.
  !

  subroutine MDF_File_List_Init( list, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File_List), intent(out)       ::  list
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_File_List_Init'

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! empty list:
    nullify( list%item )

    ! set counters:
    list%maxitem = 0
    list%nitem = 0

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_File_List_Init


  ! ***


  !
  ! Clear list, deallocate content.
  !

  subroutine MDF_File_List_Done( list, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_File_List_Done'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    integer           ::  i

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! list defined ?
    if ( associated(list%item) ) then
      ! loop over all possible indices:
      do i = 1, list%maxitem
        ! filled ?
        if ( associated(list%item(i)%p) ) then
          ! remove structure, reset to save value:
          deallocate( list%item(i)%p )
          nullify( list%item(i)%p )
        end if
      end do
      ! clear, reset to save value:
      deallocate( list%item )
      nullify( list%item )
    end if

    ! set counters:
    list%maxitem = 0
    list%nitem = 0

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_File_List_Done


  ! ***


  !
  ! Add new item to list, return id number.
  !

  subroutine MDF_File_List_New_Item( list, hid, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_File_List_New_Item'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    integer                             ::  i
    type(P_MDF_File), pointer        ::  item_new(:)

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! free item available ?
    if ( list%nitem < list%maxitem ) then
      ! search first empty item:
      hid = -1
      do i = 1, list%maxitem
        if ( .not. associated(list%item(i)%p) ) then
          hid = i
          exit
        end if
      end do
      ! not found ?
      if ( hid < 0 ) then
        write (gol,'("all items seem to be associated while counters suggest something else ...")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  maxitem : ",i6)') list%maxitem; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  nitem   : ",i6)') list%nitem; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    else
      ! allocate extra space:
      allocate( item_new(1:list%maxitem+100) )
      ! copy old pointers:
      do i = 1, list%maxitem
        item_new(i)%p => list%item(i)%p
      end do
      ! init new pointers:
      do i = list%maxitem+1, size(item_new)
        nullify(item_new(i)%p)
      end do
      ! first empty item:
      hid = list%maxitem+1
      ! clear old list if necessary:
      if ( associated(list%item) ) deallocate( list%item )
      ! point to new list:
      list%item => item_new
      ! reset size counter:
      list%maxitem = size(list%item)
      ! clear:
      nullify( item_new )
    end if

    ! allocate structure:
    allocate( list%item(hid)%p )

    ! increase counter:
    list%nitem = list%nitem + 1

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_File_List_New_Item


  ! ***


  !
  ! Remove item with given id from list.
  !

  subroutine MDF_File_List_Clear_Item( list, hid, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(inout)                    ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_File_List_Clear_Item'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! check index in list ...
    if ( (hid < 0) .or. (hid > list%maxitem) ) then
      write (gol,'("handle outside range:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  handle   : ",i6)') hid; call goErr
      write (gol,'("  range    : ",2i6)') 1, list%maxitem; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! check ...
    if ( .not. associated(list%item(hid)%p) ) then
      write (gol,'("handle not in use: ",i6)') hid; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! clear structure:
    deallocate( list%item(hid)%p )
    ! reset pointer to save value:
    nullify( list%item(hid)%p )

    ! reset counter:
    list%nitem = list%nitem - 1

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_File_List_Clear_Item


  ! ***


  !
  ! Return pointer to user type given id.
  ! Status -1 if id is not in use.
  !

  subroutine MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( list, hid, p, status, silent )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(in)                       ::  hid
    type(MDF_File), pointer                ::  p
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    logical, intent(in), optional             ::  silent

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    logical     ::  shout

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! messages ?
    shout = .true.
    if ( present(silent) ) shout = .not. silent

    ! check index in list ...
    if ( (hid < 1) .or. (hid > list%maxitem) ) then
      write (gol,'("handle outside range:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  handle   : ",i6)') hid; call goErr
      write (gol,'("  range    : ",2i6)') 1, list%maxitem; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! check if handle is in use ...
    if ( .not. associated(list%item(hid)%p) ) then
      ! error or warning ?
      if ( shout ) then
        ! error status:
        write (gol,'("handle not in use: ",i6)') hid; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      else
        ! warning status; this routine is used to test if a handle is in use:
        nullify( p )
        status = -1 ; return
      end if
    end if

    ! set shorthand:
    p => list%item(hid)%p

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer


  ! ***


  !
  ! Return information:
  !   n
  !           Number of elements in use.
  !   maxid
  !           Current possible upper value for id's.
  !           Not all id's in {1,..,maxid} are in use.
  !           Usefull to implement a loop over all possible items.
  !

  subroutine MDF_File_List_Inquire( list, status, &
                                                  n, maxid )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File_List), intent(inout)     ::  list
    integer, intent(out)                      ::  status

    integer, intent(out), optional            ::  n
    integer, intent(out), optional            ::  maxid

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_File_List_Inquire'

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! set values ?
    if ( present(n    ) ) n     = list%nitem
    if ( present(maxid) ) maxid = list%maxitem

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_File_List_Inquire



  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** tools
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************


  subroutine MDF_Get_Kind( xtype, xkind, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  xtype
    integer, intent(out)                ::  xkind
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Kind'

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! set kind value given type:
    select case ( xtype )
      case ( MDF_CHAR   ) ;  xkind = 1
      case ( MDF_BYTE   ) ;  xkind = 1
      case ( MDF_SHORT  ) ;  xkind = 2
      case ( MDF_INT    ) ;  xkind = 4
      case ( MDF_FLOAT  ) ;  xkind = 4
      case ( MDF_DOUBLE ) ;  xkind = 8
      case default
        write (gol,'("do not know kind for variable type : ",i6)') xtype; call goPr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine MDF_Get_Kind
  
  
  ! ***


#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
  subroutine HDF5_Get_MDF_Type( hdf5_type_id, mdf_type, status )

    use HDF5, only : HID_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TGet_Class_f, H5TGet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STRING_F, H5T_INTEGER_F, H5T_FLOAT_F
  
    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer(HID_T), intent(in)          ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer, intent(out)                ::  mdf_type
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/HDF5_Get_MDF_Type'
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    integer                           ::  hdf5_typeclass, hdf5_typesize

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! get class:
    call H5TGet_Class_f( hdf5_type_id, hdf5_typeclass, status ) 
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1) 
    ! split:
    if ( hdf5_typeclass == H5T_STRING_F ) then
      mdf_type = MDF_CHAR
    else if ( hdf5_typeclass == H5T_INTEGER_F ) then
      call H5TGet_Size_f( hdf5_type_id, hdf5_typesize, status ) 
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      select case ( hdf5_typesize )
        case ( 1 ) ; mdf_type = MDF_BYTE
        case ( 2 ) ; mdf_type = MDF_SHORT
        case ( 4 ) ; mdf_type = MDF_INT
        case default
          write (gol,'("unsupported hdf5 type integer class size : ",i6)') hdf5_typesize; call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    else if ( hdf5_typeclass == H5T_FLOAT_F ) then
      call H5TGet_Size_f( hdf5_type_id, hdf5_typesize, status ) 
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      select case ( hdf5_typesize )
        case ( 4 ) ; mdf_type = MDF_FLOAT
        case ( 8 ) ; mdf_type = MDF_DOUBLE
        case default
          write (gol,'("unsupported hdf5 type float class size : ",i6)') hdf5_typesize; call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    else
      write (gol,'("unsupported hdf5 type class : ",i6)') hdf5_typeclass; call goErr
     TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine HDF5_Get_MDF_Type
#endif    


#ifdef with_netcdf
  subroutine NetCDF_Get_FileType( fname, ncformat, status )
  
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Open, NF90_Close, NF90_Inquire
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_NOWRITE
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_FORMAT_CLASSIC, NF90_FORMAT_64BIT, NF90_FORMAT_NETCDF4, NF90_FORMAT_NETCDF4_CLASSIC
  
    ! --- in/out ---------------------------------
    
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  fname
    character(len=*), intent(out)       ::  ncformat
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/NetCDF_Get_FileType'
    
    ! --- local ----------------------------------
    
    logical       ::  exist
    integer       ::  ncid
    integer       ::  formatNum
    
    ! --- begin ----------------------------------

    ! check ...
    inquire( file=trim(fname), exist=exist )
    if ( .not. exist ) then
      write (gol,'("file to be opened not found : ",a)') trim(fname); call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! open file for reading:
    status = NF90_Open( trim(fname), NF90_NOWRITE, ncid )
    IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! get format number:
    status = NF90_Inquire( ncid, formatNum=formatNum )
    IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! translate ...
    select case ( formatNum )
      case ( NF90_FORMAT_CLASSIC         ) ; ncformat = 'netcdf_classic'
      case ( NF90_FORMAT_64BIT           ) ; ncformat = 'netcdf_64bit'
      case ( NF90_FORMAT_NETCDF4         ) ; ncformat = 'netcdf4'
      case ( NF90_FORMAT_NETCDF4_CLASSIC ) ; ncformat = 'netcdf4_classic'
      case default                         ; ncformat = 'netcdf_unknown'
    end select
    
    ! close file:
    status = NF90_Close( ncid )
    IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine NetCDF_Get_FileType
#endif


  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** module init/done
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************
  

  subroutine MDF_Init( status, loglevel )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : H5Open_f
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(out)                ::  status
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  loglevel

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Init'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------
    
    integer       ::  loglev

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------
    
    ! log level ...
    loglev = 0   ! no messages
    if ( present(loglevel) ) loglev = loglevel

    ! info ...
    if (loglev>0) then; write (gol,'("initialize MDF module ...")'); call goPr; end if

#ifdef with_hdf4
    ! info ...
    if (loglev>0) then; write (gol,'("  HDF4 interface enabled ...")'); call goPr; end if
#else
    ! info ...
    if (loglev>0) then; write (gol,'("  HDF4 interface disabled ...")'); call goPr; end if
#endif

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    ! initialize Fortran interface:
    call H5Open_f( status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    ! info ...
    if (loglev>0) then; write (gol,'("  HDF5 interface enabled ...")'); call goPr; end if
#endif

#ifdef with_netcdf
    ! info ...
    if (loglev>0) then; write (gol,'("  NetCDF interface enabled ...")'); call goPr; end if
#ifdef with_netcdf4
    if (loglev>0) then; write (gol,'("  NetCDF4 interface enabled ...")'); call goPr; end if
#else
    if (loglev>0) then; write (gol,'("  NetCDF4 interface disabled ...")'); call goPr; end if
#endif
#else
    ! info ...
    if (loglev>0) then; write (gol,'("  NetCDF interface disabled ...")'); call goPr; end if
#endif

    ! setup empty list:
    call MDF_File_List_Init( File_List, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Init


  ! ***

 
  subroutine MDF_Done( status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : H5Close_f
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Done'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------
    
    integer                     ::  maxid
    integer                     ::  id
    type(MDF_File), pointer     ::  filep
    integer                     ::  nerror

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------
    
    ! no errors yet ...
    nerror = 0
    
    ! get maximum id number:
    call MDF_File_List_Inquire( File_List, status, maxid=maxid )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! loop over all possible id's:
    do id = 1, maxid
      ! get pointer to file structure; status -1 if not in use:
      call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, id, filep, status, silent=.true. )
      if ( status == -1 ) cycle
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! error ...
      write (gol,'("Called MDF_Done but file still in use: ",a)') trim(filep%filename); call goErr
      nerror = nerror + 1
      !! done with variables:
      !call MDF_Var_List_Done( filep%Var_List, status )
      !IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      !! done with dimensions:
      !call MDF_Dim_List_Done( filep%Dim_List, status )
      !IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end do

    ! clear list:
    call MDF_File_List_Done( File_List, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    ! done with Fortran interface:
    call H5Close_f( status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif

    ! ok
    status = nerror

  end subroutine MDF_Done


  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** file create/close
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************



  subroutine MDF_Create_one( filename, ftype, cmode, hid, status, mpi_comm, mpi_info )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  filename
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  ftype
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  cmode
    integer, intent(out)                ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status
    
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  mpi_comm
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  mpi_info

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Create_one'
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------
    
    ! special case of more than one ....
    call MDF_Create_more( filename, (/''/), (/ftype/), cmode, hid, status, &
                              mpi_comm, mpi_info )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Create_one
  
  
  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Create_more( basename, exts, ftypes, cmode, hid, status, &
                                mpi_comm, mpi_info )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : H5F_ACC_EXCL_F, H5F_ACC_TRUNC_F
    use HDF5, only : H5FCreate_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_CLOBBER, NF90_NOCLOBBER
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Create
#ifdef with_netcdf4
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_CLASSIC_MODEL, NF90_NETCDF4
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Inq_LibVers
    ! This parameter does not exist for library versions prior to 4.1 ;
    ! Uncomment only ot get its value for your lib version, so you can hardcode it
    ! The correct creation mode for parallel i/o :
    !use NetCDF, only : NF90_MPIIO
#endif
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  basename
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  exts(:)
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  ftypes(:)
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  cmode
    integer, intent(out)                ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status
    
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  mpi_comm
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  mpi_info

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Create_more'
    
    ! --- external ----------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4    
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfStart
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer           ::  filep
    integer                           ::  iftype
    integer                           ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                           ::  hdf4_amode
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer                           ::  hdf5_amode
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                           ::  netcdf_cmode
    character(len=80)                 ::  netcdf_version
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! new file:
    call MDF_File_List_New_Item( File_List, hid, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! store filename stuff:
    filep%filename = trim(basename)
    
    ! store creation mode:
    filep%cmode = cmode
    
    ! parallel i/o ?
    filep%parallel = present(mpi_comm) .or. present(mpi_info)
    ! check ...
    if ( filep%parallel ) then
      if ( .not. all((/present(mpi_comm),present(mpi_info)/)) ) then
        write (gol,'("Only one of the arguments `mpi_comm` or `mpi_info` provided, that is not enough!")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    
    ! check ...
    if ( size(exts) /= size(ftypes) ) then
      write (gol,'("number of specified extensions should equal number of specfied file types:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  number of specified extensions   : ",i6)') size(exts); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  number of specified file types   : ",i6)') size(ftypes); call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! check ...
    if ( size(ftypes) > MDF_FILETYPE_MAX ) then
      write (gol,'("more file types specified than supported")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  maximum number   : ",i6)') MDF_FILETYPE_MAX; call goErr
      write (gol,'("  specified        : ",i6)') size(ftypes); call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if

    ! store file types:
    filep%nftype = size(ftypes)
    filep%ftypes(1:filep%nftype) = ftypes
    
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( filep%parallel ) then
            write (gol,'("HDF4 files could not be created in parallel")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! full file name:
          filep%hdf4_fname = trim(filep%filename)//trim(exts(iftype))
          ! write to an new file (remove if exist)
          hdf4_amode = DFACC_CREATE
          ! open file:
          filep%hdf4_id = sfStart( trim(filep%hdf4_fname), hdf4_amode )
          if ( filep%hdf4_id == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("from creating hdf4 file:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  does directory exist ?")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( filep%parallel ) then
            write (gol,'("MDF/HDF5 not implemented for parallel creation yet")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! full file name:
          filep%hdf5_fname = trim(filep%filename)//trim(exts(iftype))
          ! initial access mode:
          hdf5_amode = 0
          ! set access mode:
          select case ( cmode )
            case ( MDF_NEW )
              hdf5_amode = hdf5_amode + H5F_ACC_EXCL_F    ! complain if already present
            case ( MDF_REPLACE )
              hdf5_amode = hdf5_amode + H5F_ACC_TRUNC_F   ! overwrite if necessary
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported creation mode : ",i6)') cmode; call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          ! open file:
          call H5FCreate_f( trim(filep%hdf5_fname), hdf5_amode, filep%hdf5_file_id, status )
          if (status/=0) then
            write (gol,'("from creating hdf5 file:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  ",a)') trim(filep%hdf5_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  does directory exist ?")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! full file name:
          filep%netcdf_fname = trim(filep%filename)//trim(exts(iftype))
          ! initial creation mode:
          netcdf_cmode = 0
          ! set creation mode:
          select case ( cmode )
            case ( MDF_NEW )
              netcdf_cmode = netcdf_cmode + NF90_NOCLOBBER    ! complain if already present
            case ( MDF_REPLACE )
              netcdf_cmode = netcdf_cmode + NF90_CLOBBER      ! overwrite if necessary
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported creation mode : ",i6)') cmode; call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          ! latest format ?
#ifdef with_netcdf4
          if ( ftype == MDF_NETCDF4 ) then
            !netcdf_cmode = netcdf_cmode + NF90_HDF5
            netcdf_cmode = netcdf_cmode + NF90_NETCDF4
          else
            netcdf_cmode = netcdf_cmode + NF90_CLASSIC_MODEL
          end if
#else
          if ( ftype == MDF_NETCDF4 ) then
            write (gol,'("could not write NetCDF-4 file without `with_netcdf4` defined ...")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
#endif
          ! create in parallel ?
          if ( filep%parallel ) then
            ! check ...
            if ( ftype /= MDF_NETCDF4 ) then
              write (gol,'("Creation of NetCDF file in parallel requires NETCDF4 file type.")'); call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            end if
#ifdef with_netcdf4_par
            ! Creation mode MPIIO is needed for parallel i/o for NetCDF library 4.1 onwards.
            ! But since the parameter is not available for older versions, it can not used
            ! permantently to avoid errors about undevined variables.
            ! Instead, the value of MPIIO is hardcoded here for a number of library versions;
            ! please extend for your version if the error traceback has brought you here.
            ! First get library version:
            netcdf_version = trim(NF90_Inq_LibVers())
            ! switch:
            if ( (netcdf_version(1:5) == '4.0.1') ) then
              ! no NF90_MPIIO needed for this version ...
            else if ( (netcdf_version(1:5) == '4.1.1') .or. &
                      (netcdf_version(1:5) == '4.1.2') .or. &
                      (netcdf_version(1:5) == '4.1.3') .or. &
                      (netcdf_version(1:3) == '4.2'  ) .or. &
                      (netcdf_version(1:3) == '4.3'  ) .or. &
                      (netcdf_version(1:3) == '4.4') ) then
              ! add value of NF90_MPIIO to creation mode:
              netcdf_cmode = netcdf_cmode + 8192
            !else if ( netcdf_version(1:7) == '4.x.x.x' ) then
            !  ! show value ; need to uncomment the 'use' statement in the top of this routine:
            !  write (gol,'("Value of NF90_MPIIO : ",i6)') NF90_MPIIO; call goErr
            !  ! add value of NF90_MPIIO to creation mode:
            !  netcdf_cmode = netcdf_cmode + NF90_MPIIO
            else
              write (gol,'("Please implement NF90_MPIIO behaviour for your NetCDF library version:")'); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  ",a)') trim(netcdf_version); call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            end if
            ! create file, provide communicator and info:
            status = NF90_Create( trim(filep%netcdf_fname), netcdf_cmode, filep%netcdf_id, &
                                        comm=mpi_comm, info=mpi_info )
            if (status/=NF90_NOERR) then
              gol = trim(NF90_StrError(status)); call goErr
              write (gol,'("from creating netcdf4 file :")'); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  ",a)') trim(filep%netcdf_fname); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  does directory exist ?")'); call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            end if
#else
            write (gol,'("Parallel creation of NetCDF requires compilation with `with_netcdf4_par` macro defined.")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
#endif
          else
            ! create file:
            status = NF90_Create( trim(filep%netcdf_fname), netcdf_cmode, filep%netcdf_id )
            if (status/=NF90_NOERR) then
              gol = trim(NF90_StrError(status)); call goErr
              write (gol,'("from creating netcdf4 file :")'); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  ",a)') trim(filep%netcdf_fname); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  ",a)') netcdf_cmode; call goErr
              write (gol,'("  does directory exist ?")'); call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            end if
          end if
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! init dimension list:
    call MDF_Dim_List_Init( filep%Dim_List, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! init variable list:
    call MDF_Var_List_Init( filep%Var_List, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! no global attributes yet:
    filep%natt = 0
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Create_more


  ! ***


  subroutine MDF_Open( filename, ftype, mode, hid, status, &
                         mpi_comm, mpi_info )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : SIZE_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5FOpen_f
    use HDF5, only : H5F_ACC_RDONLY_F
    use HDF5, only : H5AGet_Num_Attrs_f
    use HDF5, only : H5GOpen_f, H5GClose_f, H5GN_Members_f, H5GGet_Obj_Info_Idx_f
    use HDF5, only : H5G_DATASET_F, H5G_LINK_F, H5G_GROUP_F, H5G_TYPE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DOpen_f, H5DGet_Type_f, H5DGet_Space_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5SClose_f, H5SGet_Simple_Extent_Dims_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_UNLIMITED_F
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_WRITE, NF90_NOWRITE
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Open
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Inquire
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Inquire_Dimension
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Inquire_Variable
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_CHAR, NF90_BYTE, NF90_SHORT, NF90_INT, NF90_FLOAT, NF90_DOUBLE
#ifdef with_netcdf4_par
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Open_Par,NF90_Inq_LibVers
    ! This parameter does not exist for library versions prior to 4.1 ;
    ! Uncomment only to get its value in your version so you can hardcode it.
    ! The correct creation mode for parallel i/o :
    !use NetCDF, only : NF90_MPIIO
#endif
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  filename
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  ftype
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  mode
    integer, intent(out)                ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status
    
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  mpi_comm
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  mpi_info

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Open'
    
    ! --- external ----------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4    
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfStart
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfFInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfGInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfGDInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfSelect
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfDimID
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer           ::  filep
    type(MDF_Dim), pointer            ::  dimp
    type(MDF_Var), pointer            ::  varp
    logical                           ::  exist
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                           ::  hdf4_amode
    integer                           ::  hdf4_varind
    integer                           ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                           ::  hdf4_dimind
    integer                           ::  hdf4_dimid
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer                           ::  hdf5_amode
    integer(HID_T)                    ::  hdf5_grp_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)           ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer                           ::  hdf5_obj_type
    integer(HID_T)                    ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                    ::  hdf5_space_id
    character(len=6)                  ::  snr
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                           ::  netcdf_mode
    integer                           ::  netcdf_xtype
    integer                           ::  unlimid
#endif
    integer                           ::  ndim, idim, dimid
    integer                           ::  nvar, ivar, varid
    integer                           ::  natt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)           ::  name
    integer                           ::  length
    integer                           ::  dimids(MAX_RANK)
    integer                           ::  shp(MAX_RANK)
    integer                           ::  k, n
    character(len=80)                 ::  netcdf_version

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! new file:
    call MDF_File_List_New_Item( File_List, hid, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! init dimension list:
    call MDF_Dim_List_Init( filep%Dim_List, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! init variable list:
    call MDF_Var_List_Init( filep%Var_List, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
    ! store filename stuff:
    filep%filename = trim(filename)
    
    ! store dummy creation mode:
    filep%cmode = -1

    ! parallel i/o ?
    filep%parallel = present(mpi_comm) .or. present(mpi_info)
    ! check ...
    if ( filep%parallel ) then
      if ( .not. all((/present(mpi_comm),present(mpi_info)/)) ) then
        write (gol,'("Only one of the arguments `mpi_comm` or `mpi_info` provided, that is not enough!")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    
    ! store file type:
    filep%nftype = 1
    filep%ftypes(1) = ftype
    
    ! select appropriate routine for each type:
    select case ( ftype )

#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        ! check ...
        if ( filep%parallel ) then
          write (gol,'("HDF4 files could not be opened in parallel")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! full file name:
        filep%hdf4_fname = trim(filep%filename)
        ! check ...
        inquire( file=trim(filep%hdf4_fname), exist=exist )
        if ( .not. exist ) then
          write (gol,'("file to be opened not found : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! set access mode:
        select case ( mode )
          case ( MDF_READ )
            hdf4_amode = DFACC_READ
          case ( MDF_WRITE )
            hdf4_amode = DFACC_WRITE
          case default
            write (gol,'("unsupported open mode : ",i6)') mode; call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        ! open file:
        filep%hdf4_id = sfStart( trim(filep%hdf4_fname), hdf4_amode )
        if ( filep%hdf4_id == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("from starting access to hdf file:")'); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  file name   : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  access mode : CREATE")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if

        ! get number of data sets and number of global attributes:
        status = sfFInfo( filep%hdf4_id, nvar, filep%natt ) 
        if ( status == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("from sfFInfo :")'); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  hdf file : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if

        ! loop over variables:
        do ivar = 1, nvar

          ! new variable:
          call MDF_Var_List_New_Item( filep%Var_List, varid, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! pointer to variable structure:
          call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! hdf variable index in 0,..,nvar-1
          hdf4_varind = ivar - 1
          ! get variable id:
          varp%hdf4_sdid = sfSelect( filep%hdf4_id, hdf4_varind )
          if ( varp%hdf4_sdid == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("unable to locate data set with index ",i6)') hdf4_varind; call goErr
            write (gol,'("  hdf file name : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! get info:
          status = sfGInfo( varp%hdf4_sdid, name, ndim, shp, varp%hdf4_xtype, varp%natt )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (gol,'("getting info")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! store name:
          varp%name      = trim(name)
          ! convert type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_CHAR    ) ;  varp%xtype = MDF_CHAR  
            case ( DFNT_INT8    ) ;  varp%xtype = MDF_BYTE  
            case ( DFNT_INT16   ) ;  varp%xtype = MDF_SHORT 
            case ( DFNT_INT32   ) ;  varp%xtype = MDF_INT   
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 ) ;  varp%xtype = MDF_FLOAT 
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 ) ;  varp%xtype = MDF_DOUBLE
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported data type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          ! set kind given type:
          call MDF_Get_Kind( varp%xtype, varp%xkind, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

          ! store number of dimensions:
          varp%ndim = ndim
          ! init arrays:
          varp%dimids = -1
          varp%shp    = -1
          ! loop over dimensions:
          do idim = 1, ndim
            ! hdf4 dimension index in 0,..,ndim-1
            hdf4_dimind = idim - 1
            ! get hdf4 dimension id:
            hdf4_dimid = sfDimID( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_dimind )
            if ( hdf4_dimid == FAIL ) then
              write (gol,'("error selecting dimension id :")'); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  index         : ",i6)') hdf4_dimind; call goErr
              write (gol,'("  variable name : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  hdf name      : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            end if
            ! extract dimension info;
            !   data type is only usefull if a 'scale' is assigned to the dimension
            !   length might be SD_UNLIMITED, so use shp from sfGInfo for actual length
            status = sfGDInfo( hdf4_dimid, name, length, hdf4_xtype, natt )
            if ( hdf4_dimid == FAIL ) then
              write (gol,'("error getting dimension info :")'); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  index         : ",i6)') hdf4_dimind; call goErr
              write (gol,'("  variable name : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  hdf name      : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            end if
            ! check if dimension is already defined ...;
            ! current number of defined dimensions:
            call MDF_Dim_List_Inquire( filep%Dim_List, status, n=n )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
            ! loop over current dimensions:
            dimid = -1
            do k = 1, n
              ! pointer to dimension structure:
              call MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Dim_List, k, dimp, status )
              IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              ! compare:
              if ( trim(dimp%name) == trim(name) ) then
                ! check ...
                if ( dimp%length /= shp(idim) ) then
                  write (gol,'("length of dimension is different from previous defined length:")'); call goErr
                  write (gol,'("  file name        : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
                  write (gol,'("  variable name    : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
                  write (gol,'("  dimension name   : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
                  write (gol,'("  length           : ",i6)') shp(idim); call goErr
                  write (gol,'("  defined length   : ",i6)') dimp%length; call goErr
                  TRACEBACK; status=1; return
                end if
                ! ok; stop searching:
                dimid = k
                exit
              end if
            end do
            ! not found ? then new dimension should be defined:
            if ( dimid < 0 ) then
              ! new dimension:
              call MDF_Dim_List_New_Item( filep%Dim_List, dimid, status )
              IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              ! pointer to dimension structure:
              call MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Dim_List, dimid, dimp, status )
              IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              ! fill mdf dimension info:
              dimp%named     = name(1:7) /= 'fakeDim'
              dimp%name      = trim(name)
              dimp%unlimited = length == SD_UNLIMITED
              dimp%length    = shp(idim)    ! shp extraced via sfGInfo
            end if
            ! fill variable dimension info:
            varp%dimids(idim) = dimid
            varp%shp   (idim) = dimp%length
          end do  ! dimensions            

        end do  ! variables

#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! check ...
        if ( filep%parallel ) then
          write (gol,'("MDF/HDF5 not implemented for parallel open yet")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! full file name:
        filep%hdf5_fname = trim(filep%filename)
        ! check ...
        inquire( file=trim(filep%hdf5_fname), exist=exist )
        if ( .not. exist ) then
          write (gol,'("file to be opened not found : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf5_fname); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! set access mode:
        select case ( mode )
          case ( MDF_READ )
            hdf5_amode = H5F_ACC_RDONLY_F   ! read-only
          case default
            write (gol,'("unsupported open mode : ",i6)') mode; call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        ! open file:
        call H5FOpen_f( trim(filep%hdf5_fname), hdf5_amode, filep%hdf5_file_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

        ! get number of global attributes:
        call H5AGet_Num_Attrs_f( filep%hdf5_file_id, filep%natt, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
        ! open group:
        call H5GOpen_f( filep%hdf5_file_id, '/', hdf5_grp_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! get number of members:
        call H5GN_Members_f( hdf5_grp_id, '.', nvar, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

        ! loop over group members:
        do ivar = 1, nvar
          ! get group info:
          call H5GGet_Obj_Info_Idx_f( hdf5_grp_id, '.', ivar-1, hdf5_obj_name, hdf5_obj_type, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! what ?
          if ( hdf5_obj_type == H5G_DATASET_F ) then
            
            ! new variable:
            call MDF_Var_List_New_Item( filep%Var_List, varid, status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
            ! pointer to variable structure:
            call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

            ! store full hdf5 name:
            varp%hdf5_name = trim(hdf5_obj_name)
            ! store variable name:
            varp%name = trim(hdf5_obj_name)

            ! open data set:
            call H5DOpen_f( hdf5_grp_id, trim(hdf5_obj_name), varp%hdf5_dataset_id, status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

            ! get type id:
            call H5DGet_Type_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, hdf5_type_id, status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
            ! convert to mdf type code:
            call HDF5_Get_MDF_Type( hdf5_type_id, varp%xtype, status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1) 
            ! release:
            call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status ) 
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

            ! get data space id:
            call H5DGet_Space_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, hdf5_space_id, status ) 
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
            ! get dimensions:
            call H5SGet_Simple_Extent_Dims_f( hdf5_space_id, varp%hdf5_dims, varp%hdf5_maxdims, status )
            if ( status < 0 ) then
              ! something went wrong ...
              write (gol,'("could not extract dimensions for attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            else
              ! number of dimensions:
              ndim = status
            end if
            ! store number of dimensions in variable structure:
            varp%ndim = status
            ! init arrays:
            varp%dimids = -1
            varp%shp    = -1
            ! loop over dimensions:
            do idim = 1, ndim
              ! current length:
              length = varp%hdf5_dims(idim)
              ! new dimension:
              call MDF_Dim_List_New_Item( filep%Dim_List, dimid, status )
              IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              ! pointer to dimension structure:
              call MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Dim_List, dimid, dimp, status )
              IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              ! store current length:
              dimp%length = length
              ! unlimitted ?
              dimp%unlimited = varp%hdf5_maxdims(idim) == H5S_UNLIMITED_F
              ! dummy name ...
              dimp%named = .false.
              write (snr,'(i6)') length
              dimp%name = 'fakeDime'//adjustl(snr)
              ! fill variable dimension info:
              varp%dimids(idim) = dimid
              varp%shp   (idim) = dimp%length
            end do  ! dimensions  
            ! release:
            call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status ) 
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)          

            ! get number of global attributes:
            call H5AGet_Num_Attrs_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%natt, status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

          else if ( hdf5_obj_type == H5G_LINK_F ) then
              write (gol,'("WARNING - HDF5 links not supported yet: ",a)') trim(hdf5_obj_name); call goPr
          else if ( hdf5_obj_type == H5G_GROUP_F ) then
              write (gol,'("WARNING - HDF5 groups not supported yet: ",a)') trim(hdf5_obj_name); call goPr
          else if ( hdf5_obj_type == H5G_TYPE_F ) then
              write (gol,'("WARNING - HDF5 types not supported yet: ",a)') trim(hdf5_obj_name); call goPr
          else
            write (gol,'("unsupported hdf5_obj_type ",i6)') hdf5_obj_type; call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if

        end do  ! group members
        
        ! release group:
        call H5GClose_f( hdf5_grp_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! full file name:
        filep%netcdf_fname = trim(filep%filename)
        ! check ...
        inquire( file=trim(filep%netcdf_fname), exist=exist )
        if ( .not. exist ) then
          write (gol,'("file to be opened not found : ",a)') trim(filep%netcdf_fname); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! set open mode:
        select case ( mode )
          case ( MDF_READ )
            netcdf_mode = NF90_NOWRITE
          case ( MDF_WRITE )
            netcdf_mode = NF90_WRITE
          case default
            write (gol,'("unsupported creation mode : ",i6)') mode; call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        ! open in parallel ?
        if ( filep%parallel ) then
          ! open file in parallel:
#ifdef with_netcdf4_par
            ! Creation mode MPIIO is needed for parallel i/o for NetCDF library 4.1 onwards.
            ! But since the parameter is not available for older versions, it can not used
            ! permantently to avoid errors about undefined variables.
            ! Instead, the value of MPIIO is hardcoded here for a number of library versions;
            ! please extend for your version if the error traceback has brought you here.
            ! First get library version:
            netcdf_version = trim(NF90_Inq_LibVers())
            ! switch:
            if ( (netcdf_version(1:5) == '4.0.1') ) then
              ! no NF90_MPIIO needed for this version ...
            else if ( (netcdf_version(1:5) == '4.1.1') .or. &
                      (netcdf_version(1:5) == '4.1.2') .or. &
                      (netcdf_version(1:5) == '4.1.3') .or. &
                      (netcdf_version(1:3) == '4.2') .or. &
                      (netcdf_version(1:3) == '4.3') .or. &
                      (netcdf_version(1:3) == '4.4') ) then
              ! add value of NF90_MPIIO to creation mode:
              netcdf_mode = netcdf_mode + 8192
            !else if ( netcdf_version(1:y) == '4.x.x.x' ) then
            !  ! show value ; need to uncomment the 'use' statement in the top of this routine:
            !  write (gol,'("Value of NF90_MPIIO : ",i6)') NF90_MPIIO; call goErr
            !  ! add value of NF90_MPIIO to creation mode:
            !  netcdf_mode = netcdf_mode + 0
            else
              write (gol,'("Please implement NF90_MPIIO behaviour for your NetCDF library version:")'); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  ",a)') trim(netcdf_version); call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            end if

          status = NF90_Open_Par( trim(filep%netcdf_fname), netcdf_mode, &
                                        mpi_comm, mpi_info, filep%netcdf_id )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#else
          write (gol,'("Parallel open of NetCDF requires compilation with `with_netcdf4_par` macro defined.")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
#endif
        else
          ! open file:
          status = NF90_Open( trim(filep%netcdf_fname), netcdf_mode, filep%netcdf_id )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        end if

        ! get number of global attributes:
        status = NF90_Inquire( filep%netcdf_id, nAttributes=filep%natt )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

        ! get number of dimensions and (dummy) id of unlimitted dimension:
        status = NF90_Inquire( filep%netcdf_id, nDimensions=ndim, unlimitedDimID=unlimid )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! loop over dimensions:
        do idim = 1, ndim
          ! new dimension:
          call MDF_Dim_List_New_Item( filep%Dim_List, dimid, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! pointer to dimension structure:
          call MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Dim_List, dimid, dimp, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! netcdf dimension id is number from 1..ndim
          dimp%netcdf_dimid = idim
          ! get info:
          status = NF90_Inquire_Dimension( filep%netcdf_id, dimp%netcdf_dimid, &
                           name=name, len=length )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! store:
          dimp%named     = .true.
          dimp%name      = trim(name)
          dimp%length    = length
          dimp%unlimited = dimp%netcdf_dimid == unlimid
        end do

        ! get number of variables:
        status = NF90_Inquire( filep%netcdf_id, nVariables=nvar )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! loop over variables:
        do ivar = 1, nvar
          ! new variable:
          call MDF_Var_List_New_Item( filep%Var_List, varid, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! pointer to variable structure:
          call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! netcdf variable id is number from 1..nvar
          varp%netcdf_varid = ivar
          ! get info:
          status = NF90_Inquire_Variable( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, &
                          name=name, xtype=netcdf_xtype, ndims=ndim )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! store name:
          varp%name      = trim(name)
          ! convert type:
          select case ( netcdf_xtype )
            case ( NF90_CHAR   ) ;  varp%xtype = MDF_CHAR  
            case ( NF90_BYTE   ) ;  varp%xtype = MDF_BYTE  
            case ( NF90_SHORT  ) ;  varp%xtype = MDF_SHORT 
            case ( NF90_INT    ) ;  varp%xtype = MDF_INT   
            case ( NF90_FLOAT  ) ;  varp%xtype = MDF_FLOAT 
            case ( NF90_DOUBLE ) ;  varp%xtype = MDF_DOUBLE
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported data type : ",i6)') netcdf_xtype; call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          ! set kind given type:
          call MDF_Get_Kind( varp%xtype, varp%xkind, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! store number of dimensions:
          varp%ndim = ndim
          ! get netcdf dimension id's now that number is known:
          status = NF90_Inquire_Variable( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, dimids=dimids(1:ndim) )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! init arrays:
          varp%dimids = -1
          varp%shp    = -1
          ! loop over dimensions:
          do idim = 1, ndim
            ! mdf dimension id is the same as the netcdf dimension id,
            ! both are numbers 1,..,maxdim :
            dimid = dimids(idim)
            ! pointer to dimension structure:
            call MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Dim_List, dimid, dimp, status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
            ! store:
            varp%dimids(idim) = dimid
            varp%shp   (idim) = dimp%length
          end do
          ! get number of variable attributes:
          status = NF90_Inquire_Variable( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, nAtts=varp%natt )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        end do  ! variables

#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        if ((ftype>=1).and.(ftype<=MDF_FILETYPE_MAX)) then
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        end if
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select
    
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Open


  ! ***


  subroutine MDF_Close( hid, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : H5FClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5DClose_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Close
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(inout)              ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Close'
    
    ! --- external ----------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4    
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfEnd
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer           ::  filep
    integer                           ::  iftype
    integer                           ::  ftype
    integer                           ::  ivar, nvar
    type(MDF_Var), pointer            ::  varp

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! close file:
          status = sfEnd( filep%hdf4_id )
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("while closing HDF4 file:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file name : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! get number of elements in variable list:
          call MDF_Var_List_Inquire( filep%Var_List, status, n=nvar )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! list variables ?
          if ( nvar > 0 ) then
            ! loop over variables:
            do ivar = 1, nvar
              ! pointer to variable structure:
              call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, ivar, varp, status )
              IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              ! close data set:
              call H5DClose_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, status )
              IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
            end do  ! variables
          end if   ! nvar > 0
          ! close file:
          call H5FClose_f( filep%hdf5_file_id, status )
          if ( status /= 0 ) then
            write (gol,'("while closing HDF5 file:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file name : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf5_fname); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! close file:
          status = NF90_Close( filep%netcdf_id )
          if ( status /= NF90_NOERR ) then
            write (gol,'("while closing NetCDF4 file:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file name : ",a)') trim(filep%netcdf_fname); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! done with variable list:
    call MDF_Var_List_Done( filep%Var_List, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! done with dimension list:
    call MDF_Dim_List_Done( filep%Dim_List, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
    ! remove item:
    call MDF_File_List_Clear_Item( File_List, hid, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Close
  
  
  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** end of definition phase
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************


  subroutine MDF_EndDef( hid, status )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_EndDef
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_EndDef'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer   ::  filep
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! nothing required for this format ...
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! nothing required for this format ...
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! end of definition phase:
          status = NF90_EndDef( filep%netcdf_id )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_EndDef


  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** dimensions
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************
  

  subroutine MDF_Def_Dim( hid, name, length, dimid, status )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Def_Dim, NF90_UNLIMITED
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  length
    integer, intent(out)                ::  dimid
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Def_Dim'

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Dim), pointer          ::  dimp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_length
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! new dimension:
    call MDF_Dim_List_New_Item( filep%Dim_List, dimid, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to dimension structure:
    call MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Dim_List, dimid, dimp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! store:
    dimp%name   = trim(name)
    dimp%length = length

    ! unlimited length ?
    dimp%unlimited = length == MDF_UNLIMITED

    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! Dimensions in HDF4 are no special entities in the file,
          ! but part of each variable .
          ! The arguments stored in the dimension structure will 
          ! be used to define the shape of new variables.
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! Dimensions in HDF5 are no special entities in the file,
          ! but stored in the 'data space' part of each variable .
          ! The arguments stored in the dimension structure will 
          ! be used to define the shape of new variables.
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set dimension length:
          if ( dimp%unlimited ) then
            netcdf_length = NF90_UNLIMITED
          else
            netcdf_length = length
          end if
          ! define dimension:
          status = NF90_Def_Dim( filep%netcdf_id, trim(name), netcdf_length, dimp%netcdf_dimid )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Def_Dim


  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** variables
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************
  

  subroutine MDF_Def_Var( hid, name, xtype, dimids, varid, status, &
                                 compression, deflate_level )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TClose_f!, H5TSet_Size_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_UNLIMITED_F
    use HDF5, only : H5PCreate_f, H5PClose_f, H5P_DATASET_CREATE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5PSet_Chunk_f, H5PSet_Deflate_f
    use HDF5, only : H5DCreate_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_CHAR, NF90_BYTE, NF90_SHORT, NF90_INT, NF90_FLOAT, NF90_DOUBLE
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Def_Var
#ifdef with_netcdf4
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Def_Var_Deflate
#endif
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  xtype
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  dimids(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  varid
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status
    
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  compression
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  deflate_level  ! 0-9

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Def_Var'
    
    ! --- external -----------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4    
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfCreate
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfDimID
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSDmName
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfsCompress
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Dim), pointer          ::  dimp
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
    integer                         ::  idim
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_shape(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_dimid
    integer                         ::  hdf4_comp_type
    integer                         ::  hdf4_comp_prm(1)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer                         ::  hdf5_xtype
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_dcpl_id
    integer                         ::  hdf5_deflate_level
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_xtype
    integer                         ::  netcdf_dimids(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  netcdf_deflate_level
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! new variable:
    call MDF_Var_List_New_Item( filep%Var_List, varid, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! store name;
    varp%name = trim(name)
    
    ! store type:
    varp%xtype = xtype
    
    ! set kind value given type:
    call MDF_Get_Kind( varp%xtype, varp%xkind, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! number of dimensions:
    varp%ndim = size(dimids)
    
    ! dimension id's :
    varp%dimids(1:varp%ndim) = dimids
    
    ! fill shape:
    do idim = 1, varp%ndim
      ! pointer to  dimension type:
      call MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Dim_List, dimids(idim), dimp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! copy dimension id:
      varp%shp(idim) = dimp%length
    end do

    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )

#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        
          ! set data type:
          select case ( xtype )
            case ( MDF_CHAR   ) ;  hdf4_xtype = DFNT_CHAR
            case ( MDF_BYTE   ) ;  hdf4_xtype = DFNT_INT8
            case ( MDF_SHORT  ) ;  hdf4_xtype = DFNT_INT16
            case ( MDF_INT    ) ;  hdf4_xtype = DFNT_INT32
            case ( MDF_FLOAT  ) ;  hdf4_xtype = DFNT_FLOAT32
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE ) ;  hdf4_xtype = DFNT_FLOAT64
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported data type : ",i6)') xtype; call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          
          ! extract dimensions:
          do idim = 1, varp%ndim
            ! pointer to  dimension type:
            call MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Dim_List, dimids(idim), dimp, status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
            ! fill dimension:
            if ( dimp%length == MDF_UNLIMITED ) then
              hdf4_shape(idim) = SD_UNLIMITED
            else
              hdf4_shape(idim) = dimp%length
            end if
          end do
          
          ! define variable:
          status = sfCreate( filep%hdf4_id, trim(name), hdf4_xtype, &
                                        varp%ndim, hdf4_shape(1:varp%ndim) )
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("from sfCreate :")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  name     : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  hdf file : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! store
          varp%hdf4_sdid = status
          
          ! loop over dimension indices:
          do idim = 1, varp%ndim
            ! pointer to  dimension type:
            call MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Dim_List, dimids(idim), dimp, status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
            ! select dimension with zero based index:
            status = sfDimID( varp%hdf4_sdid, idim-1 )
            if ( status == FAIL ) then
              write (gol,'("from sfDimID :")'); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  dimension index  : ",i6)') idim; call goErr
              write (gol,'("  variable name    : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  hdf file         : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            end if
            hdf4_dimid = status
            ! set dimension name
            status = sfSDmName( hdf4_dimid, trim(dimp%name) )
            if ( status == FAIL ) then
              write (gol,'("setting dimension name :")'); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  dim name         : ",a)') trim(dimp%name); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  dimension index  : ",i6)') idim; call goErr
              write (gol,'("  variable name    : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
              write (gol,'("  hdf file         : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            end if
          end do  ! dimensions
          
          ! compression specified ?
          if ( present(compression) ) then
            ! apply ?
            if ( compression /= MDF_NONE ) then
              ! check ...
              if ( any( varp%shp == MDF_UNLIMITED ) ) then
                write (gol,'("HDF4 does not allow compresion of data sets with an unlimitted dimension ...")'); call goErr
                TRACEBACK; status=1; return
              end if
              ! which one ?
              select case ( compression )
                ! deflation (=zlib)
                case ( MDF_DEFLATE )
                  ! set compression type:
                  hdf4_comp_type = COMP_CODE_DEFLATE
                  ! set deflation level:
                  if ( present(deflate_level) ) then
                    hdf4_comp_prm(1) = deflate_level
                  else
                    hdf4_comp_prm(1) = 6
                  end if
                case default
                  write (gol,'("unsupported compression type : ",i6)') compression; call goErr
                  TRACEBACK; status=1; return
              end select
              ! call HDF routine:
              status = sfsCompress( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_comp_type, hdf4_comp_prm )
              if ( status == FAIL ) then
                write (gol,'("from sfsCompress : ")'); call goErr
                write (gol,'("  compression index   : ",i6)') compression; call goErr
                write (gol,'("  compression name    : ",a)') trim(MDF_COMPRESSION_NAME(compression)); call goErr
                write (gol,'("  hdf4 compress type  : ",i6)') hdf4_comp_type; call goErr
                write (gol,'("  hdf4 compress param : ",i6)') hdf4_comp_prm; call goErr
                write (gol,'("  return status       : ",i6)') status; call goErr
                TRACEBACK; status=1; return
              end if
            end if  ! apply ?
          end if  ! compression ?
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        
          ! set data type:
          select case ( xtype )
            case ( MDF_CHAR   ) ;  hdf5_xtype = H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER  
            case ( MDF_BYTE   ) ;  hdf5_xtype = H5T_STD_I8LE  
            case ( MDF_SHORT  ) ;  hdf5_xtype = H5T_STD_I16LE 
            case ( MDF_INT    ) ;  hdf5_xtype = H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER   
            case ( MDF_FLOAT  ) ;  hdf5_xtype = H5T_NATIVE_REAL 
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE ) ;  hdf5_xtype = H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported data type : ",i6)') xtype; call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          ! data type:
          call H5TCopy_f( hdf5_xtype, hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          !! set length for characters ?
          !call H5TSet_Size_f( hdf5_type_id, len(values), status )
          !IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          
          ! extract dimensions:
          do idim = 1, varp%ndim
            ! pointer to  dimension type:
            call MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Dim_List, dimids(idim), dimp, status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
            ! fill dimension:
            if ( dimp%length == MDF_UNLIMITED ) then
              varp%hdf5_dims     (idim) = 0
              varp%hdf5_maxdims  (idim) = H5S_UNLIMITED_F
              varp%hdf5_chunkdims(idim) = 1
              varp%hdf5_chunked = .true.
            else
              varp%hdf5_dims     (idim) = dimp%length
              varp%hdf5_maxdims  (idim) = dimp%length
              varp%hdf5_chunkdims(idim) = dimp%length
              varp%hdf5_chunked = .false.
            end if
          end do
          ! create data space:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_space_id, status, &
                                          maxdims=varp%hdf5_maxdims(1:varp%ndim) )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          
          ! dataset creation property list:
          call H5PCreate_f( H5P_DATASET_CREATE_F, hdf5_dcpl_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          
          ! for unlimited dimensions ...
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            call H5PSet_Chunk_f( hdf5_dcpl_id, varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_chunkdims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          
          ! compression specified ?
          if ( present(compression) ) then
            ! which one ?
            select case ( compression )
              ! no compression ...
              case ( MDF_NONE )
                ! nothing to be done
              ! deflation (=gzip)
              case ( MDF_DEFLATE )
                ! set deflation level:
                if ( present(deflate_level) ) then
                  hdf5_deflate_level = deflate_level
                else
                  hdf5_deflate_level = 0
                end if
                ! add filter to property list:
                call H5PSet_Deflate_f( hdf5_dcpl_id, hdf5_deflate_level, status )
                IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              case default
                write (gol,'("unsupported compression type : ",i6)') compression; call goErr
                TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            end select
          end if  ! compression ?
          
          ! store name:
          varp%hdf5_name = trim(name)
          ! define variable:
          call H5DCreate_f( filep%hdf5_file_id, trim(name), hdf5_type_id, hdf5_space_id, varp%hdf5_dataset_id, status, &
                               dcpl_id=hdf5_dcpl_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

          ! close property list:
          call H5PClose_f( hdf5_dcpl_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! close data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! close data type:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        
          ! set data type:
          select case ( xtype )
            case ( MDF_CHAR   ) ;  netcdf_xtype = NF90_CHAR  
            case ( MDF_BYTE   ) ;  netcdf_xtype = NF90_BYTE  
            case ( MDF_SHORT  ) ;  netcdf_xtype = NF90_SHORT 
            case ( MDF_INT    ) ;  netcdf_xtype = NF90_INT   
            case ( MDF_FLOAT  ) ;  netcdf_xtype = NF90_FLOAT 
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE ) ;  netcdf_xtype = NF90_DOUBLE
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported data type : ",i6)') xtype; call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          
          ! extract dimensions:
          do idim = 1, varp%ndim
            ! pointer to  dimension type:
            call MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Dim_List, dimids(idim), dimp, status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
            ! copy dimension id:
            netcdf_dimids(idim) = dimp%netcdf_dimid
          end do
          
          ! define variable:
          status = NF90_Def_Var( filep%netcdf_id, trim(name), netcdf_xtype, &
                                    netcdf_dimids(1:varp%ndim), varp%netcdf_varid )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          
          ! compression specified ?
          if ( present(compression) ) then
            ! which one ?
            select case ( compression )
              ! no compression ...
              case ( MDF_NONE )
                ! nothing to be done
#ifdef with_netcdf4
              ! deflation (=zlib)
              case ( MDF_DEFLATE )
                ! set deflation level:
                if ( present(deflate_level) ) then
                  netcdf_deflate_level = deflate_level
                else
                  netcdf_deflate_level = 0
                end if
                ! set parameters (without shuffle, with deflate)
                status = NF90_Def_Var_Deflate( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, 0, 1, netcdf_deflate_level )
                IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
              case default
                write (gol,'("unsupported compression type : ",i6)') compression; call goErr
                write (gol,'("(might be necessary to compile with macro `with_netcdf4` defined)")'); call goErr
                TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            end select
          end if  ! compression ?
          
#endif

        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! no attributes yet:
    varp%natt = 0
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Def_Var


  ! ***

  !--------------------------------------------------------------------------
  !                    TM5                                                  !
  !--------------------------------------------------------------------------
  !BOP
  !
  ! !IROUTINE:  MDF_Var_Par_Access
  !
  ! !DESCRIPTION: Wrapper around NF90_Var_Par_Access. It changes whether read
  !               /write operations on a parallel file system are performed
  !              collectively or independently (the default) on the variable. 
  !\\
  !\\
  ! !INTERFACE:
  !
  subroutine MDF_Var_Par_Access( hid, varid, par_access_mode, status )
    !
    ! !USES:
    !
#ifdef with_netcdf4_par
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_INDEPENDENT, NF90_COLLECTIVE
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Var_Par_Access
#endif
    !
    ! !INPUT PARAMETERS:
    !
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  par_access_mode
    !
    ! !OUTPUT PARAMETERS:
    !
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status
    !
    ! !REVISION HISTORY: 
    !   13 Jan 2012 - Philippe Le Sager - added COLLECTIVE case
    !
    ! !REMARKS:
    !
    !EOP
    !------------------------------------------------------------------------
    !BOC

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Var_Par_Access'
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_netcdf4_par
    integer                         ::  netcdf_par_access_mode
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! opened for parallel i/o ?
    if ( filep%parallel ) then
    
      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

      ! loop over file types:
      do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
        ! current type:
        ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
        ! select appropriate routine for each type:
        select case ( ftype )

#ifdef with_netcdf4
          ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          case ( MDF_NETCDF4 )
          ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

#ifdef with_netcdf4_par
            ! set mode:
            select case ( par_access_mode )
            case ( MDF_INDEPENDENT   ) ;  netcdf_par_access_mode = NF90_INDEPENDENT
            case ( MDF_COLLECTIVE    ) ;  netcdf_par_access_mode = NF90_COLLECTIVE
              case default
                write (gol,'("unsupported parallel access mode : ",i6)') par_access_mode; call goErr
                TRACEBACK; status=1; return
            end select

            ! set access mode:
            status = NF90_Var_Par_Access( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, netcdf_par_access_mode )
            IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#else
            write (gol,'("Parallel access of NetCDF requires compilation with `with_netcdf4_par` macro defined.")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
#endif

#endif
          ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          case default
          ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
            write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
            write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
      end do  ! file types
      
    end if  ! parallel i/o
    
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Var_Par_Access
  !EOC


  ! ***


  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_1d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)            ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_c1_1d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:1) = (/len(values)/)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! write:
          status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:1) = (/len(values)/)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_1d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_1d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(out)           ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_c1_1d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:1) = (/ len(values) /)
          
          ! read:
          status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_1d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_2d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)            ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_c1_2d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:2) = (/len(values),shape(values)/)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! write:
          status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:2) = (/len(values),shape(values)/)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_2d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_2d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(out)           ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_c1_2d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:2) = (/ len(values), shape(values) /)
          
          ! read:
          status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_2d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_3d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_c1_3d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:3) = (/len(values),shape(values)/)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! write:
          status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:3) = (/len(values),shape(values)/)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_3d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_3d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_c1_3d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:3) = (/ len(values), shape(values) /)
          
          ! read:
          status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_3d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_4d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_c1_4d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:4) = (/len(values),shape(values)/)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! write:
          status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:4) = (/len(values),shape(values)/)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_4d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_4d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_c1_4d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:4) = (/ len(values), shape(values) /)
          
          ! read:
          status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_4d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_5d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_c1_5d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:5) = (/len(values),shape(values)/)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! write:
          status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:5) = (/len(values),shape(values)/)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_5d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_5d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_c1_5d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:5) = (/ len(values), shape(values) /)
          
          ! read:
          status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_5d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_6d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_c1_6d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:6) = (/len(values),shape(values)/)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! write:
          status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:6) = (/len(values),shape(values)/)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_6d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_6d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_c1_6d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:6) = (/ len(values), shape(values) /)
          
          ! read:
          status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_6d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_7d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_c1_7d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:7) = (/len(values),shape(values)/)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! write:
          status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:7) = (/len(values),shape(values)/)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_c1_7d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_7d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_c1_7d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:7) = (/ len(values), shape(values) /)
          
          ! read:
          status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset, hdf4_stride, hdf4_count, values )
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_c1_7d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_1d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(in)            ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i1_1d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:1) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:1) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_1d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_1d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(out)           ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i1_1d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:1) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_1d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_2d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i1_2d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:2) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:2) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_2d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_2d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i1_2d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:2) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_2d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_3d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i1_3d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:3) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:3) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_3d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_3d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i1_3d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:3) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_3d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_4d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i1_4d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:4) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:4) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_4d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_4d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i1_4d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:4) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_4d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_5d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i1_5d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:5) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:5) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_5d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_5d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i1_5d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:5) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_5d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_6d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i1_6d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:6) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:6) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_6d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_6d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i1_6d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:6) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_6d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_7d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i1_7d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:7) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:7) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i1_7d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_7d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(1), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i1_7d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:7) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i1_7d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_1d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(in)            ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i2_1d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:1) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:1) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_1d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_1d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(out)           ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i2_1d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:1) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_1d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_2d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i2_2d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:2) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:2) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_2d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_2d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i2_2d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:2) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_2d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_3d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i2_3d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:3) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:3) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_3d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_3d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i2_3d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:3) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_3d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_4d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i2_4d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:4) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:4) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_4d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_4d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i2_4d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:4) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_4d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_5d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i2_5d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:5) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:5) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_5d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_5d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i2_5d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:5) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_5d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_6d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i2_6d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:6) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:6) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_6d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_6d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i2_6d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:6) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_6d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_7d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i2_7d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:7) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:7) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i2_7d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_7d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(2), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i2_7d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:7) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=2)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i2_7d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_1d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i4_1d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:1) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:1) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_1d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_1d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i4_1d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:1) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_1d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_2d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i4_2d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:2) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:2) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_2d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_2d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i4_2d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:2) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_2d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_3d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i4_3d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:3) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:3) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_3d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_3d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i4_3d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:3) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_3d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_4d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i4_4d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:4) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:4) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_4d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_4d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i4_4d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:4) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_4d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_5d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i4_5d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:5) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:5) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_5d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_5d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i4_5d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:5) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_5d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_6d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i4_6d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:6) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:6) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_6d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_6d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i4_6d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:6) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_6d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_7d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_i4_7d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:7) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:7) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_i4_7d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_7d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    integer(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_i4_7d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:7) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = int(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = int(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = int(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = int(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = int(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = int(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_i4_7d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_1d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r4_1d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:1) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:1) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_REAL, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_1d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_1d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r4_1d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:1) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_1d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_2d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r4_2d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:2) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:2) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_REAL, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_2d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_2d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r4_2d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:2) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_2d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_3d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r4_3d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:3) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:3) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_REAL, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_3d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_3d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r4_3d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:3) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_3d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_4d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r4_4d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:4) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:4) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_REAL, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_4d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_4d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r4_4d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:4) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_4d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_5d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r4_5d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:5) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:5) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_REAL, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_5d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_5d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r4_5d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:5) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_5d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_6d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r4_6d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:6) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:6) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_REAL, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_6d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_6d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r4_6d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:6) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_6d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_7d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r4_7d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:7) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:7) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_REAL, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r4_7d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_7d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r4_7d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:7) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=4)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r4_7d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_1d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(in)            ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r8_1d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:1) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:1) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_1d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_1d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(out)           ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r8_1d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:1) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_1d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_2d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r8_2d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:2) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:2) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_2d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_2d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r8_2d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:2) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_2d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_3d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r8_3d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:3) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:3) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_3d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_3d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r8_3d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:3) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_3d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_4d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r8_4d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:4) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:4) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_4d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_4d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r8_4d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:4) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_4d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_5d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r8_5d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:5) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:5) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_5d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_5d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r8_5d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:5) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_5d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_6d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r8_6d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:6) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:6) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_6d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_6d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r8_6d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:6) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_6d
  
  
  ! ***

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_7d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_Simple_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F, H5S_SELECT_SET_F
    use HDF5, only : H5DWrite_f, H5DSet_Extent_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(in)            ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Var_r8_7d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfWData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    !integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_file_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_count (MAX_RANK)
#endif
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
        

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be written exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!) and stride with default values:
          hdf4_offset = 0
          hdf4_stride = 1
          ! count is by default the shape; padd with singleton dimensions:
          hdf4_count  = 1; hdf4_count(1:7) = shape(values)
          ! replace by optional arguments if necessary:
          if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          if ( present(count ) ) hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim) = count
      
          ! test target type;
          ! convert to required kind before entering sfWData, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = sfWData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), &
                           hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("writing hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i12)') size(values); call goErr
            write (gol,'("(writing a slice to a compressed data set ?)")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF5")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf5_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf5_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf5_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
          if ( present(count) ) then
            hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim) = count
          else
            hdf5_count(1:7) = shape(values)
          end if
          ! new dimension:
          varp%hdf5_dims = max( varp%hdf5_dims, hdf5_offset+hdf5_count )
          ! target data space in file:
          call H5SCreate_Simple_f( varp%ndim, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! chunked dataset ?
          if ( varp%hdf5_chunked ) then
            ! reset extend:
            call H5DSet_Extent_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, varp%hdf5_dims(1:varp%ndim), status )
            IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          end if
          ! select hyperslab:
          call H5SSelect_Hyperslab_f( hdf5_file_space_id, H5S_SELECT_SET_F, &
                                        hdf5_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf5_count(1:varp%ndim), status, &
                                        stride=hdf5_stride(1:varp%ndim) )
          ! write data:
          call H5DWrite_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, values, &
                             int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status, &
                             file_space_id=hdf5_file_space_id )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_file_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      
          ! test target type:
          ! convert to required kind before entering NF90_Put_Var, 
          ! otherwise segmentation faults on some machines ...
          select case ( varp%xtype )
        
            case ( MDF_BYTE )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int1 = int(values,kind=1)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int1, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
          
            case ( MDF_SHORT )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int2 = int(values,kind=2)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int2, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
          
            case ( MDF_INT )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_int4 = int(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_int4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
          
            case ( MDF_FLOAT )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real4 = real(values,kind=4)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real4, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
          
            case ( MDF_DOUBLE )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              values_real8 = real(values,kind=8)
              status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values_real8, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )
              IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
          
            case default
              write (gol,'("not implemented yet for output type : ",i6)') varp%xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        
          ! just put; let netcdf library convert the right kind:
          !status = NF90_Put_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
          !                              start, count, stride, map )
          !IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Put_Var_r8_7d


  ! ***
  

  subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_7d( hid, varid, values, status, &
                                            start, count, stride, map )

#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Var
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    real(8), intent(out)           ::  values(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status 
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  start (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  count (:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  stride(:)
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  map   (:)
    
    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Var_r8_7d'
      
    ! --- external -----------------------------------
    
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external  ::  sfRData
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_offset(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_stride(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf4_count(MAX_RANK)
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
          
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! check ...
    if ( size(shape(values)) > varp%ndim ) then
      write (gol,'("Rank of values to be read exceeds variable dimension:")'); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  rank values          : ",i6)') size(shape(values)); call goErr
      write (gol,'("  variable dimension   : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
      
    ! check ...
    if ( present(start ) ) then
      if ( size(start ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size start  : ",i6)') size(start ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(count ) ) then
      if ( size(count ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size count  : ",i6)') size(count ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(stride ) ) then
      if ( size(stride ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size stride  : ",i6)') size(stride ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    if ( present(map ) ) then
      if ( size(map ) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("Size of position argument not equal to variable dimension:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  size map  : ",i6)') size(map ); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  var dim     : ",i6)') varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
      
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! check ...
          if ( present(map ) ) then
            write (gol,'("argument `map` not supported for HDF4")'); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          ! fill offset (zero based!), stride, and count :
          hdf4_offset = 0; if ( present(start ) ) hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim) = start-1
          hdf4_stride = 1; if ( present(stride) ) hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim) = stride
          hdf4_count  = 1  ! default singleton dimension
      
          hdf4_count(1:7) = shape(values)
        
          ! test source type:
          select case ( varp%hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_INT8 )
              allocate( values_int1(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int1 )
              values = real(values_int1,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int1 )
            case ( DFNT_INT16 )
              allocate( values_int2(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int2 )
              values = real(values_int2,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int2 )
            case ( DFNT_INT32 )
              allocate( values_int4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int4 )
              values = real(values_int4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int4 )
            case ( DFNT_INT64 )
              allocate( values_int8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_int8 )
              values = real(values_int8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_int8 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
              allocate( values_real4(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real4 )
              values = real(values_real4,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real4 )
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
              allocate( values_real8(size(values,1),size(values,2),size(values,3),size(values,4),size(values,5),size(values,6),size(values,7)) )
              status = sfRData( varp%hdf4_sdid, hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim), hdf4_count(1:varp%ndim), values_real8 )
              values = real(values_real8,kind=8)
              deallocate( values_real8 )
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported hdf4 variable type : ",i6)') varp%hdf4_xtype; call goPr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
          if ( status == FAIL ) then
            write (gol,'("reading hdf4 data set:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  data set : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  offset   : ",100i4)') hdf4_offset(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  stride   : ",100i4)') hdf4_stride(1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  count    : ",100i4)') hdf4_count (1:varp%ndim); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  size     : ",i6)') size(values); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! read values, converted automatically:
          status = NF90_Get_Var( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, values, &
                                        start, count, stride, map )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
        
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Var_r8_7d
  
  
  ! ***



  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** attributes
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************
  

  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Att_c1_0d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5ACreate_f, H5AClose_f, H5AWrite_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    character(len=*), intent(in)            ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Att_c1_0d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! global or variable attribute ?
    if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      ! increase counter:
      filep%natt = filep%natt + 1
    else
      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! increase counter:
      varp%natt = varp%natt + 1
    end if
   
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
          else
            hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
          end if
      
          ! store character attribute:
          status = sfSCAtt( hdf4_id, trim(name), DFNT_CHAR, len(values), values )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (*,'("writing attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
        
#endif
      
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf5_loc_id = filep%hdf5_file_id
          else
            hdf5_loc_id = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          end if
          ! data type:
          call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER, hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! set length:
          call H5TSet_Size_f( hdf5_type_id, len(values), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! data space:
          call H5SCreate_f( H5S_SCALAR_F, hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! create attribute; type in file is same as type provided to this routine:
          call H5ACreate_f( hdf5_loc_id, trim(name), hdf5_type_id, hdf5_space_id, hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! write attribute values:
          call H5AWrite_f( hdf5_attr_id, hdf5_type_id, values, int((/len(values)/),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release attribute:
          call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data type:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
          else
            netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
          end if
          ! write attribute:
          status = NF90_Put_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Put_Att_c1_0d
      
  
  ! ***  


  subroutine MDF_Get_Att_c1_0d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AOpen_By_Name_f, H5AClose_f, H5ARead_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, H5T_STD_I64LE
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    character(len=*), intent(out)           ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Att_c1_0d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfFAttr
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
    integer                         ::  hdf4_iatt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf4_name
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_length
      
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure if possible:
    if ( varid /= MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! select appropriate routine for each type:
    select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
        else
          hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
        end if
        ! get attribute index given name:
        hdf4_iatt = sfFAttr( hdf4_id , trim(name) )
        if ( hdf4_iatt == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("finding attribute `",a,"`")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! get type and length:
        status = sfGAInfo( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, hdf4_name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (gol,'("getting attribute info")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
      
        ! check ...
        if ( hdf4_length > len(values) ) then
          write (gol,'("length of character attribute `",a,"` (",i6,") exceeds output length (",i6,") ;")') &
                            trim(name), hdf4_length, len(values); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! read character attribute:
        status = sfRCAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (*,'("reading attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! truncate ...
        values = values(1:hdf4_length)
        
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = filep%hdf5_file_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        else
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        end if
        ! data type:
        call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER, hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! set length:
        call H5TSet_Size_f( hdf5_type_id, len(values), status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
        ! open attribute:
        call H5AOpen_By_Name_f( hdf5_loc_id, hdf5_obj_name, trim(name), hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! read:
        call H5ARead_f( hdf5_attr_id, hdf5_type_id, values, int((/len(values)/),HSIZE_T), status ) 
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
        ! release:
        call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! release:
        call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
        else
          netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
        end if
        ! read attribute:
        status = NF90_Get_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select

    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Get_Att_c1_0d
      
  
  
      
  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Att_i1_0d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5ACreate_f, H5AClose_f, H5AWrite_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer(1), intent(in)            ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Att_i1_0d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! global or variable attribute ?
    if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      ! increase counter:
      filep%natt = filep%natt + 1
    else
      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! increase counter:
      varp%natt = varp%natt + 1
    end if
   
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
          else
            hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
          end if
      
          ! store numerical attribute:
          status = sfSNAtt( hdf4_id, trim(name), DFNT_INT8, 1, values )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (*,'("writing attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          
#endif
      
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf5_loc_id = filep%hdf5_file_id
          else
            hdf5_loc_id = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          end if
          ! data type:
          call H5TCopy_f( H5T_STD_I8LE, hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! data space:
          call H5SCreate_f( H5S_SCALAR_F, hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! create attribute; type in file is same as type provided to this routine:
          call H5ACreate_f( hdf5_loc_id, trim(name), hdf5_type_id, hdf5_space_id, hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! write attribute values:
          call H5AWrite_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), int((/1/),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release attribute:
          call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data type:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
          else
            netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
          end if
          ! write attribute:
          status = NF90_Put_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Put_Att_i1_0d
      
  
  ! ***  


  subroutine MDF_Get_Att_i1_0d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AOpen_By_Name_f, H5AClose_f, H5ARead_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, H5T_STD_I64LE
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer(1), intent(out)           ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Att_i1_0d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfFAttr
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
    integer                         ::  hdf4_iatt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf4_name
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_length
      
    integer(1)                      ::  values_int1
    integer(2)                      ::  values_int2
    integer(4)                      ::  values_int4
    integer(8)                      ::  values_int8
    real(4)                         ::  values_real4
    real(8)                         ::  values_real8
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
      
    integer(4)                      ::  hdf5_values_int4
          
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure if possible:
    if ( varid /= MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! select appropriate routine for each type:
    select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
        else
          hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
        end if
        ! get attribute index given name:
        hdf4_iatt = sfFAttr( hdf4_id , trim(name) )
        if ( hdf4_iatt == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("finding attribute `",a,"`")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! get type and length:
        status = sfGAInfo( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, hdf4_name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (gol,'("getting attribute info")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
      
        ! read numerical attribute:
        select case ( hdf4_xtype )
          case ( DFNT_INT8 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int1 )
            values = int(values_int1,kind=1)
          case ( DFNT_INT16 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int2 )
            values = int(values_int2,kind=1)
          case ( DFNT_INT32 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int4 )
            values = int(values_int4,kind=1)
          case ( DFNT_INT64 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int8 )
            values = int(values_int8,kind=1)
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real4 )
            values = int(values_real4,kind=1)
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real8 )
            values = int(values_real8,kind=1)
          case default
            write (gol,'("not implemented for hdf4 data type ",i6)') hdf4_xtype
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (*,'("reading attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = filep%hdf5_file_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        else
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        end if
        ! data type:
        call H5TCopy_f( H5T_STD_I8LE, hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! open attribute:
        call H5AOpen_By_Name_f( hdf5_loc_id, hdf5_obj_name, trim(name), hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! read into integer(4), since no specific routines for kinds 1 and 2 seem available::
        call H5ARead_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, hdf5_values_int4, int((/1/),HSIZE_T), status ) 
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! convert:
        values = int(hdf5_values_int4,1)
        
        ! release:
        call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! release:
        call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
        else
          netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
        end if
        ! read attribute:
        status = NF90_Get_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select

    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Get_Att_i1_0d
      
  
  
      
  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Att_i1_1d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5ACreate_f, H5AClose_f, H5AWrite_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer(1), intent(in)            ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Att_i1_1d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! global or variable attribute ?
    if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      ! increase counter:
      filep%natt = filep%natt + 1
    else
      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! increase counter:
      varp%natt = varp%natt + 1
    end if
   
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
          else
            hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
          end if
      
          ! strore numerical attribute:
          status = sfSNAtt( hdf4_id, trim(name), DFNT_INT8, size(values), values )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (*,'("writing attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          
#endif
      
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf5_loc_id = filep%hdf5_file_id
          else
            hdf5_loc_id = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          end if
          ! data type:
          call H5TCopy_f( H5T_STD_I8LE, hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! data space:
          call H5SCreate_f( H5S_SIMPLE_F, hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! set extent of the data space:
          call H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f( hdf5_space_id, 1, int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! create attribute; type in file is same as type provided to this routine:
          call H5ACreate_f( hdf5_loc_id, trim(name), hdf5_type_id, hdf5_space_id, hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! write attribute values:
          call H5AWrite_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release attribute:
          call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data type:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
          else
            netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
          end if
          ! write attribute:
          status = NF90_Put_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Put_Att_i1_1d
      
  
  ! ***  


  subroutine MDF_Get_Att_i1_1d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AOpen_By_Name_f, H5AClose_f, H5ARead_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, H5T_STD_I64LE
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer(1), intent(out)           ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Att_i1_1d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfFAttr
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
    integer                         ::  hdf4_iatt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf4_name
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_length
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
      
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  hdf5_values_int4(:)
          
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure if possible:
    if ( varid /= MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! select appropriate routine for each type:
    select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
        else
          hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
        end if
        ! get attribute index given name:
        hdf4_iatt = sfFAttr( hdf4_id , trim(name) )
        if ( hdf4_iatt == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("finding attribute `",a,"`")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! get type and length:
        status = sfGAInfo( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, hdf4_name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (gol,'("getting attribute info")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
      
        ! read numerical attribute:
        select case ( hdf4_xtype )
          case ( DFNT_INT8 )
            allocate( values_int1(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int1 )
            values = int(values_int1,kind=1)
            deallocate( values_int1 )
          case ( DFNT_INT16 )
            allocate( values_int2(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int2 )
            values = int(values_int2,kind=1)
            deallocate( values_int2 )
          case ( DFNT_INT32 )
            allocate( values_int4(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int4 )
            values = int(values_int4,kind=1)
            deallocate( values_int4 )
          case ( DFNT_INT64 )
            allocate( values_int8(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int8 )
            values = int(values_int8,kind=1)
            deallocate( values_int8 )
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
            allocate( values_real4(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real4 )
            values = int(values_real4,kind=1)
            deallocate( values_real4 )
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
            allocate( values_real8(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real8 )
            values = int(values_real8,kind=1)
            deallocate( values_real8 )
          case default
            write (gol,'("not implemented for hdf4 data type ",i6)') hdf4_xtype
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (*,'("reading attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = filep%hdf5_file_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        else
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        end if
        ! data type:
        call H5TCopy_f( H5T_STD_I8LE, hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! open attribute:
        call H5AOpen_By_Name_f( hdf5_loc_id, hdf5_obj_name, trim(name), hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! storage:
        allocate( hdf5_values_int4(size(values)) )
          
        ! read into integer(4), since no specific routines for kinds 1 and 2 seem available::
        call H5ARead_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, hdf5_values_int4, int(shape(values),HSIZE_T), status ) 
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! convert:
        values = int(hdf5_values_int4,1)
        
        ! clear:
        deallocate( hdf5_values_int4 )
          
        ! release:
        call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! release:
        call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
        else
          netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
        end if
        ! read attribute:
        status = NF90_Get_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select

    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Get_Att_i1_1d
      
  
  
      
  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Att_i2_0d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5ACreate_f, H5AClose_f, H5AWrite_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer(2), intent(in)            ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Att_i2_0d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! global or variable attribute ?
    if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      ! increase counter:
      filep%natt = filep%natt + 1
    else
      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! increase counter:
      varp%natt = varp%natt + 1
    end if
   
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
          else
            hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
          end if
      
          ! store numerical attribute:
          status = sfSNAtt( hdf4_id, trim(name), DFNT_INT16, 1, values )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (*,'("writing attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          
#endif
      
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf5_loc_id = filep%hdf5_file_id
          else
            hdf5_loc_id = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          end if
          ! data type:
          call H5TCopy_f( H5T_STD_I16LE, hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! data space:
          call H5SCreate_f( H5S_SCALAR_F, hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! create attribute; type in file is same as type provided to this routine:
          call H5ACreate_f( hdf5_loc_id, trim(name), hdf5_type_id, hdf5_space_id, hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! write attribute values:
          call H5AWrite_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), int((/1/),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release attribute:
          call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data type:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
          else
            netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
          end if
          ! write attribute:
          status = NF90_Put_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Put_Att_i2_0d
      
  
  ! ***  


  subroutine MDF_Get_Att_i2_0d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AOpen_By_Name_f, H5AClose_f, H5ARead_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, H5T_STD_I64LE
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer(2), intent(out)           ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Att_i2_0d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfFAttr
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
    integer                         ::  hdf4_iatt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf4_name
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_length
      
    integer(1)                      ::  values_int1
    integer(2)                      ::  values_int2
    integer(4)                      ::  values_int4
    integer(8)                      ::  values_int8
    real(4)                         ::  values_real4
    real(8)                         ::  values_real8
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
      
    integer(4)                      ::  hdf5_values_int4
          
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure if possible:
    if ( varid /= MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! select appropriate routine for each type:
    select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
        else
          hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
        end if
        ! get attribute index given name:
        hdf4_iatt = sfFAttr( hdf4_id , trim(name) )
        if ( hdf4_iatt == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("finding attribute `",a,"`")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! get type and length:
        status = sfGAInfo( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, hdf4_name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (gol,'("getting attribute info")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
      
        ! read numerical attribute:
        select case ( hdf4_xtype )
          case ( DFNT_INT8 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int1 )
            values = int(values_int1,kind=2)
          case ( DFNT_INT16 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int2 )
            values = int(values_int2,kind=2)
          case ( DFNT_INT32 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int4 )
            values = int(values_int4,kind=2)
          case ( DFNT_INT64 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int8 )
            values = int(values_int8,kind=2)
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real4 )
            values = int(values_real4,kind=2)
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real8 )
            values = int(values_real8,kind=2)
          case default
            write (gol,'("not implemented for hdf4 data type ",i6)') hdf4_xtype
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (*,'("reading attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = filep%hdf5_file_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        else
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        end if
        ! data type:
        call H5TCopy_f( H5T_STD_I16LE, hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! open attribute:
        call H5AOpen_By_Name_f( hdf5_loc_id, hdf5_obj_name, trim(name), hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! read into integer(4), since no specific routines for kinds 1 and 2 seem available::
        call H5ARead_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, hdf5_values_int4, int((/1/),HSIZE_T), status ) 
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! convert:
        values = int(hdf5_values_int4,2)
        
        ! release:
        call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! release:
        call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
        else
          netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
        end if
        ! read attribute:
        status = NF90_Get_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select

    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Get_Att_i2_0d
      
  
  
      
  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Att_i2_1d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5ACreate_f, H5AClose_f, H5AWrite_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer(2), intent(in)            ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Att_i2_1d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! global or variable attribute ?
    if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      ! increase counter:
      filep%natt = filep%natt + 1
    else
      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! increase counter:
      varp%natt = varp%natt + 1
    end if
   
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
          else
            hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
          end if
      
          ! strore numerical attribute:
          status = sfSNAtt( hdf4_id, trim(name), DFNT_INT16, size(values), values )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (*,'("writing attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          
#endif
      
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf5_loc_id = filep%hdf5_file_id
          else
            hdf5_loc_id = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          end if
          ! data type:
          call H5TCopy_f( H5T_STD_I16LE, hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! data space:
          call H5SCreate_f( H5S_SIMPLE_F, hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! set extent of the data space:
          call H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f( hdf5_space_id, 1, int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! create attribute; type in file is same as type provided to this routine:
          call H5ACreate_f( hdf5_loc_id, trim(name), hdf5_type_id, hdf5_space_id, hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! write attribute values:
          call H5AWrite_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release attribute:
          call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data type:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
          else
            netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
          end if
          ! write attribute:
          status = NF90_Put_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Put_Att_i2_1d
      
  
  ! ***  


  subroutine MDF_Get_Att_i2_1d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AOpen_By_Name_f, H5AClose_f, H5ARead_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, H5T_STD_I64LE
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer(2), intent(out)           ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Att_i2_1d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfFAttr
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
    integer                         ::  hdf4_iatt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf4_name
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_length
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
      
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  hdf5_values_int4(:)
          
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure if possible:
    if ( varid /= MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! select appropriate routine for each type:
    select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
        else
          hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
        end if
        ! get attribute index given name:
        hdf4_iatt = sfFAttr( hdf4_id , trim(name) )
        if ( hdf4_iatt == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("finding attribute `",a,"`")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! get type and length:
        status = sfGAInfo( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, hdf4_name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (gol,'("getting attribute info")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
      
        ! read numerical attribute:
        select case ( hdf4_xtype )
          case ( DFNT_INT8 )
            allocate( values_int1(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int1 )
            values = int(values_int1,kind=2)
            deallocate( values_int1 )
          case ( DFNT_INT16 )
            allocate( values_int2(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int2 )
            values = int(values_int2,kind=2)
            deallocate( values_int2 )
          case ( DFNT_INT32 )
            allocate( values_int4(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int4 )
            values = int(values_int4,kind=2)
            deallocate( values_int4 )
          case ( DFNT_INT64 )
            allocate( values_int8(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int8 )
            values = int(values_int8,kind=2)
            deallocate( values_int8 )
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
            allocate( values_real4(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real4 )
            values = int(values_real4,kind=2)
            deallocate( values_real4 )
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
            allocate( values_real8(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real8 )
            values = int(values_real8,kind=2)
            deallocate( values_real8 )
          case default
            write (gol,'("not implemented for hdf4 data type ",i6)') hdf4_xtype
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (*,'("reading attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = filep%hdf5_file_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        else
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        end if
        ! data type:
        call H5TCopy_f( H5T_STD_I16LE, hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! open attribute:
        call H5AOpen_By_Name_f( hdf5_loc_id, hdf5_obj_name, trim(name), hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! storage:
        allocate( hdf5_values_int4(size(values)) )
          
        ! read into integer(4), since no specific routines for kinds 1 and 2 seem available::
        call H5ARead_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, hdf5_values_int4, int(shape(values),HSIZE_T), status ) 
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! convert:
        values = int(hdf5_values_int4,2)
        
        ! clear:
        deallocate( hdf5_values_int4 )
          
        ! release:
        call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! release:
        call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
        else
          netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
        end if
        ! read attribute:
        status = NF90_Get_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select

    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Get_Att_i2_1d
      
  
  
      
  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Att_i4_0d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5ACreate_f, H5AClose_f, H5AWrite_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer(4), intent(in)            ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Att_i4_0d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! global or variable attribute ?
    if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      ! increase counter:
      filep%natt = filep%natt + 1
    else
      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! increase counter:
      varp%natt = varp%natt + 1
    end if
   
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
          else
            hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
          end if
      
          ! store numerical attribute:
          status = sfSNAtt( hdf4_id, trim(name), DFNT_INT32, 1, values )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (*,'("writing attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          
#endif
      
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf5_loc_id = filep%hdf5_file_id
          else
            hdf5_loc_id = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          end if
          ! data type:
          call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! data space:
          call H5SCreate_f( H5S_SCALAR_F, hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! create attribute; type in file is same as type provided to this routine:
          call H5ACreate_f( hdf5_loc_id, trim(name), hdf5_type_id, hdf5_space_id, hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! write attribute values:
          call H5AWrite_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), int((/1/),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release attribute:
          call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data type:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
          else
            netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
          end if
          ! write attribute:
          status = NF90_Put_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Put_Att_i4_0d
      
  
  ! ***  


  subroutine MDF_Get_Att_i4_0d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AOpen_By_Name_f, H5AClose_f, H5ARead_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, H5T_STD_I64LE
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer(4), intent(out)           ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Att_i4_0d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfFAttr
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
    integer                         ::  hdf4_iatt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf4_name
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_length
      
    integer(1)                      ::  values_int1
    integer(2)                      ::  values_int2
    integer(4)                      ::  values_int4
    integer(8)                      ::  values_int8
    real(4)                         ::  values_real4
    real(8)                         ::  values_real8
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
      
    integer(4)                      ::  hdf5_values_int4
          
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure if possible:
    if ( varid /= MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! select appropriate routine for each type:
    select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
        else
          hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
        end if
        ! get attribute index given name:
        hdf4_iatt = sfFAttr( hdf4_id , trim(name) )
        if ( hdf4_iatt == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("finding attribute `",a,"`")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! get type and length:
        status = sfGAInfo( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, hdf4_name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (gol,'("getting attribute info")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
      
        ! read numerical attribute:
        select case ( hdf4_xtype )
          case ( DFNT_INT8 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int1 )
            values = int(values_int1,kind=4)
          case ( DFNT_INT16 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int2 )
            values = int(values_int2,kind=4)
          case ( DFNT_INT32 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int4 )
            values = int(values_int4,kind=4)
          case ( DFNT_INT64 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int8 )
            values = int(values_int8,kind=4)
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real4 )
            values = int(values_real4,kind=4)
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real8 )
            values = int(values_real8,kind=4)
          case default
            write (gol,'("not implemented for hdf4 data type ",i6)') hdf4_xtype
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (*,'("reading attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = filep%hdf5_file_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        else
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        end if
        ! data type:
        call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! open attribute:
        call H5AOpen_By_Name_f( hdf5_loc_id, hdf5_obj_name, trim(name), hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! read into integer(4), since no specific routines for kinds 1 and 2 seem available::
        call H5ARead_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, hdf5_values_int4, int((/1/),HSIZE_T), status ) 
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! convert:
        values = int(hdf5_values_int4,4)
        
        ! release:
        call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! release:
        call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
        else
          netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
        end if
        ! read attribute:
        status = NF90_Get_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select

    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Get_Att_i4_0d
      
  
  
      
  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Att_i4_1d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5ACreate_f, H5AClose_f, H5AWrite_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Att_i4_1d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! global or variable attribute ?
    if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      ! increase counter:
      filep%natt = filep%natt + 1
    else
      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! increase counter:
      varp%natt = varp%natt + 1
    end if
   
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
          else
            hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
          end if
      
          ! strore numerical attribute:
          status = sfSNAtt( hdf4_id, trim(name), DFNT_INT32, size(values), values )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (*,'("writing attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          
#endif
      
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf5_loc_id = filep%hdf5_file_id
          else
            hdf5_loc_id = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          end if
          ! data type:
          call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! data space:
          call H5SCreate_f( H5S_SIMPLE_F, hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! set extent of the data space:
          call H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f( hdf5_space_id, 1, int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! create attribute; type in file is same as type provided to this routine:
          call H5ACreate_f( hdf5_loc_id, trim(name), hdf5_type_id, hdf5_space_id, hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! write attribute values:
          call H5AWrite_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, int(values), int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release attribute:
          call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data type:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
          else
            netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
          end if
          ! write attribute:
          status = NF90_Put_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Put_Att_i4_1d
      
  
  ! ***  


  subroutine MDF_Get_Att_i4_1d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AOpen_By_Name_f, H5AClose_f, H5ARead_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, H5T_STD_I64LE
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    integer(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Att_i4_1d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfFAttr
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
    integer                         ::  hdf4_iatt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf4_name
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_length
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
      
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  hdf5_values_int4(:)
          
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure if possible:
    if ( varid /= MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! select appropriate routine for each type:
    select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
        else
          hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
        end if
        ! get attribute index given name:
        hdf4_iatt = sfFAttr( hdf4_id , trim(name) )
        if ( hdf4_iatt == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("finding attribute `",a,"`")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! get type and length:
        status = sfGAInfo( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, hdf4_name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (gol,'("getting attribute info")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
      
        ! read numerical attribute:
        select case ( hdf4_xtype )
          case ( DFNT_INT8 )
            allocate( values_int1(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int1 )
            values = int(values_int1,kind=4)
            deallocate( values_int1 )
          case ( DFNT_INT16 )
            allocate( values_int2(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int2 )
            values = int(values_int2,kind=4)
            deallocate( values_int2 )
          case ( DFNT_INT32 )
            allocate( values_int4(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int4 )
            values = int(values_int4,kind=4)
            deallocate( values_int4 )
          case ( DFNT_INT64 )
            allocate( values_int8(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int8 )
            values = int(values_int8,kind=4)
            deallocate( values_int8 )
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
            allocate( values_real4(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real4 )
            values = int(values_real4,kind=4)
            deallocate( values_real4 )
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
            allocate( values_real8(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real8 )
            values = int(values_real8,kind=4)
            deallocate( values_real8 )
          case default
            write (gol,'("not implemented for hdf4 data type ",i6)') hdf4_xtype
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (*,'("reading attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = filep%hdf5_file_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        else
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        end if
        ! data type:
        call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! open attribute:
        call H5AOpen_By_Name_f( hdf5_loc_id, hdf5_obj_name, trim(name), hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! storage:
        allocate( hdf5_values_int4(size(values)) )
          
        ! read into integer(4), since no specific routines for kinds 1 and 2 seem available::
        call H5ARead_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, hdf5_values_int4, int(shape(values),HSIZE_T), status ) 
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! convert:
        values = int(hdf5_values_int4,4)
        
        ! clear:
        deallocate( hdf5_values_int4 )
          
        ! release:
        call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! release:
        call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
        else
          netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
        end if
        ! read attribute:
        status = NF90_Get_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select

    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Get_Att_i4_1d
      
  
  
      
  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Att_r4_0d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5ACreate_f, H5AClose_f, H5AWrite_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    real(4), intent(in)            ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Att_r4_0d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! global or variable attribute ?
    if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      ! increase counter:
      filep%natt = filep%natt + 1
    else
      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! increase counter:
      varp%natt = varp%natt + 1
    end if
   
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
          else
            hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
          end if
      
          ! store numerical attribute:
          status = sfSNAtt( hdf4_id, trim(name), DFNT_FLOAT32, 1, values )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (*,'("writing attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          
#endif
      
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf5_loc_id = filep%hdf5_file_id
          else
            hdf5_loc_id = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          end if
          ! data type:
          call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_REAL, hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! data space:
          call H5SCreate_f( H5S_SCALAR_F, hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! create attribute; type in file is same as type provided to this routine:
          call H5ACreate_f( hdf5_loc_id, trim(name), hdf5_type_id, hdf5_space_id, hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! write attribute values:
          call H5AWrite_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_REAL, values, int((/1/),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release attribute:
          call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data type:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
          else
            netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
          end if
          ! write attribute:
          status = NF90_Put_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Put_Att_r4_0d
      
  
  ! ***  


  subroutine MDF_Get_Att_r4_0d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AOpen_By_Name_f, H5AClose_f, H5ARead_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, H5T_STD_I64LE
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    real(4), intent(out)           ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Att_r4_0d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfFAttr
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
    integer                         ::  hdf4_iatt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf4_name
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_length
      
    integer(1)                      ::  values_int1
    integer(2)                      ::  values_int2
    integer(4)                      ::  values_int4
    integer(8)                      ::  values_int8
    real(4)                         ::  values_real4
    real(8)                         ::  values_real8
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure if possible:
    if ( varid /= MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! select appropriate routine for each type:
    select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
        else
          hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
        end if
        ! get attribute index given name:
        hdf4_iatt = sfFAttr( hdf4_id , trim(name) )
        if ( hdf4_iatt == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("finding attribute `",a,"`")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! get type and length:
        status = sfGAInfo( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, hdf4_name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (gol,'("getting attribute info")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
      
        ! read numerical attribute:
        select case ( hdf4_xtype )
          case ( DFNT_INT8 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int1 )
            values = real(values_int1,kind=4)
          case ( DFNT_INT16 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int2 )
            values = real(values_int2,kind=4)
          case ( DFNT_INT32 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int4 )
            values = real(values_int4,kind=4)
          case ( DFNT_INT64 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int8 )
            values = real(values_int8,kind=4)
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real4 )
            values = real(values_real4,kind=4)
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real8 )
            values = real(values_real8,kind=4)
          case default
            write (gol,'("not implemented for hdf4 data type ",i6)') hdf4_xtype
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (*,'("reading attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = filep%hdf5_file_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        else
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        end if
        ! data type:
        call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_REAL, hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! open attribute:
        call H5AOpen_By_Name_f( hdf5_loc_id, hdf5_obj_name, trim(name), hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! read:
        call H5ARead_f( hdf5_attr_id, hdf5_type_id, values, int((/1/),HSIZE_T), status ) 
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
        ! release:
        call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! release:
        call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
        else
          netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
        end if
        ! read attribute:
        status = NF90_Get_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select

    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Get_Att_r4_0d
      
  
  
      
  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Att_r4_1d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5ACreate_f, H5AClose_f, H5AWrite_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    real(4), intent(in)            ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Att_r4_1d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! global or variable attribute ?
    if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      ! increase counter:
      filep%natt = filep%natt + 1
    else
      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! increase counter:
      varp%natt = varp%natt + 1
    end if
   
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
          else
            hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
          end if
      
          ! strore numerical attribute:
          status = sfSNAtt( hdf4_id, trim(name), DFNT_FLOAT32, size(values), values )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (*,'("writing attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          
#endif
      
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf5_loc_id = filep%hdf5_file_id
          else
            hdf5_loc_id = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          end if
          ! data type:
          call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_REAL, hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! data space:
          call H5SCreate_f( H5S_SIMPLE_F, hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! set extent of the data space:
          call H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f( hdf5_space_id, 1, int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! create attribute; type in file is same as type provided to this routine:
          call H5ACreate_f( hdf5_loc_id, trim(name), hdf5_type_id, hdf5_space_id, hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! write attribute values:
          call H5AWrite_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_REAL, values, int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release attribute:
          call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data type:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
          else
            netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
          end if
          ! write attribute:
          status = NF90_Put_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Put_Att_r4_1d
      
  
  ! ***  


  subroutine MDF_Get_Att_r4_1d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AOpen_By_Name_f, H5AClose_f, H5ARead_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, H5T_STD_I64LE
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    real(4), intent(out)           ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Att_r4_1d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfFAttr
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
    integer                         ::  hdf4_iatt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf4_name
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_length
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure if possible:
    if ( varid /= MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! select appropriate routine for each type:
    select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
        else
          hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
        end if
        ! get attribute index given name:
        hdf4_iatt = sfFAttr( hdf4_id , trim(name) )
        if ( hdf4_iatt == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("finding attribute `",a,"`")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! get type and length:
        status = sfGAInfo( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, hdf4_name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (gol,'("getting attribute info")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
      
        ! read numerical attribute:
        select case ( hdf4_xtype )
          case ( DFNT_INT8 )
            allocate( values_int1(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int1 )
            values = real(values_int1,kind=4)
            deallocate( values_int1 )
          case ( DFNT_INT16 )
            allocate( values_int2(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int2 )
            values = real(values_int2,kind=4)
            deallocate( values_int2 )
          case ( DFNT_INT32 )
            allocate( values_int4(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int4 )
            values = real(values_int4,kind=4)
            deallocate( values_int4 )
          case ( DFNT_INT64 )
            allocate( values_int8(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int8 )
            values = real(values_int8,kind=4)
            deallocate( values_int8 )
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
            allocate( values_real4(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real4 )
            values = real(values_real4,kind=4)
            deallocate( values_real4 )
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
            allocate( values_real8(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real8 )
            values = real(values_real8,kind=4)
            deallocate( values_real8 )
          case default
            write (gol,'("not implemented for hdf4 data type ",i6)') hdf4_xtype
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (*,'("reading attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = filep%hdf5_file_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        else
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        end if
        ! data type:
        call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_REAL, hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! open attribute:
        call H5AOpen_By_Name_f( hdf5_loc_id, hdf5_obj_name, trim(name), hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! read:
        call H5ARead_f( hdf5_attr_id, hdf5_type_id, values, int(shape(values),HSIZE_T), status ) 
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
        ! release:
        call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! release:
        call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
        else
          netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
        end if
        ! read attribute:
        status = NF90_Get_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select

    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Get_Att_r4_1d
      
  
  
      
  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Att_r8_0d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5ACreate_f, H5AClose_f, H5AWrite_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    real(8), intent(in)            ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Att_r8_0d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! global or variable attribute ?
    if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      ! increase counter:
      filep%natt = filep%natt + 1
    else
      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! increase counter:
      varp%natt = varp%natt + 1
    end if
   
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
          else
            hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
          end if
      
          ! store numerical attribute:
          status = sfSNAtt( hdf4_id, trim(name), DFNT_FLOAT64, 1, values )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (*,'("writing attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          
#endif
      
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf5_loc_id = filep%hdf5_file_id
          else
            hdf5_loc_id = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          end if
          ! data type:
          call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! data space:
          call H5SCreate_f( H5S_SCALAR_F, hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! create attribute; type in file is same as type provided to this routine:
          call H5ACreate_f( hdf5_loc_id, trim(name), hdf5_type_id, hdf5_space_id, hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! write attribute values:
          call H5AWrite_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, values, int((/1/),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release attribute:
          call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data type:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
          else
            netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
          end if
          ! write attribute:
          status = NF90_Put_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Put_Att_r8_0d
      
  
  ! ***  


  subroutine MDF_Get_Att_r8_0d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AOpen_By_Name_f, H5AClose_f, H5ARead_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, H5T_STD_I64LE
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    real(8), intent(out)           ::  values
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Att_r8_0d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfFAttr
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
    integer                         ::  hdf4_iatt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf4_name
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_length
      
    integer(1)                      ::  values_int1
    integer(2)                      ::  values_int2
    integer(4)                      ::  values_int4
    integer(8)                      ::  values_int8
    real(4)                         ::  values_real4
    real(8)                         ::  values_real8
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure if possible:
    if ( varid /= MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! select appropriate routine for each type:
    select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
        else
          hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
        end if
        ! get attribute index given name:
        hdf4_iatt = sfFAttr( hdf4_id , trim(name) )
        if ( hdf4_iatt == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("finding attribute `",a,"`")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! get type and length:
        status = sfGAInfo( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, hdf4_name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (gol,'("getting attribute info")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
      
        ! read numerical attribute:
        select case ( hdf4_xtype )
          case ( DFNT_INT8 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int1 )
            values = real(values_int1,kind=8)
          case ( DFNT_INT16 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int2 )
            values = real(values_int2,kind=8)
          case ( DFNT_INT32 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int4 )
            values = real(values_int4,kind=8)
          case ( DFNT_INT64 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int8 )
            values = real(values_int8,kind=8)
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real4 )
            values = real(values_real4,kind=8)
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real8 )
            values = real(values_real8,kind=8)
          case default
            write (gol,'("not implemented for hdf4 data type ",i6)') hdf4_xtype
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (*,'("reading attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = filep%hdf5_file_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        else
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        end if
        ! data type:
        call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! open attribute:
        call H5AOpen_By_Name_f( hdf5_loc_id, hdf5_obj_name, trim(name), hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! read:
        call H5ARead_f( hdf5_attr_id, hdf5_type_id, values, int((/1/),HSIZE_T), status ) 
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
        ! release:
        call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! release:
        call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
        else
          netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
        end if
        ! read attribute:
        status = NF90_Get_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select

    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Get_Att_r8_0d
      
  
  
      
  
  subroutine MDF_Put_Att_r8_1d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HID_T, HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
    use HDF5, only : H5SCreate_f, H5SClose_f, H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f
    use HDF5, only : H5S_SCALAR_F, H5S_SIMPLE_F
    use HDF5, only : H5ACreate_f, H5AClose_f, H5AWrite_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Put_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    real(8), intent(in)            ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Put_Att_r8_1d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfSNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  iftype
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! global or variable attribute ?
    if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      ! increase counter:
      filep%natt = filep%natt + 1
    else
      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! increase counter:
      varp%natt = varp%natt + 1
    end if
   
    ! loop over file types:
    do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
      ! current type:
      ftype = filep%ftypes(iftype)
      ! select appropriate routine for each type:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
          else
            hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
          end if
      
          ! strore numerical attribute:
          status = sfSNAtt( hdf4_id, trim(name), DFNT_FLOAT64, size(values), values )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (*,'("writing attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
          
#endif
      
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            hdf5_loc_id = filep%hdf5_file_id
          else
            hdf5_loc_id = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          end if
          ! data type:
          call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! data space:
          call H5SCreate_f( H5S_SIMPLE_F, hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
          ! set extent of the data space:
          call H5SSet_Extent_Simple_f( hdf5_space_id, 1, int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
          ! create attribute; type in file is same as type provided to this routine:
          call H5ACreate_f( hdf5_loc_id, trim(name), hdf5_type_id, hdf5_space_id, hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! write attribute values:
          call H5AWrite_f( hdf5_attr_id, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, values, int(shape(values),kind=HSIZE_T), status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release attribute:
          call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data space:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! release data type:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! set variable id:
          if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
          else
            netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
          end if
          ! write attribute:
          status = NF90_Put_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do  ! file types
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Put_Att_r8_1d
      
  
  ! ***  


  subroutine MDF_Get_Att_r8_1d( hid, varid, name, values, status )

#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AOpen_By_Name_f, H5AClose_f, H5ARead_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TCopy_f, H5TSet_Size_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_CHARACTER
    use HDF5, only : H5T_STD_I8LE, H5T_STD_I16LE, H5T_NATIVE_INTEGER, H5T_STD_I64LE
    use HDF5, only : H5T_NATIVE_REAL, H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Get_Att, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  name
    real(8), intent(out)           ::  values(:)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Att_r8_1d'
      
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfFAttr
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRCAtt
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfRNAtt
#endif

    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
    integer                         ::  ftype
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
    integer                         ::  hdf4_iatt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf4_name
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_length
      
    integer(1), allocatable         ::  values_int1(:)
    integer(2), allocatable         ::  values_int2(:)
    integer(4), allocatable         ::  values_int4(:)
    integer(8), allocatable         ::  values_int8(:)
    real(4), allocatable            ::  values_real4(:)
    real(8), allocatable            ::  values_real8(:)
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
      
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_varid
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! pointer to variable structure if possible:
    if ( varid /= MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! select appropriate routine for each type:
    select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
        else
          hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
        end if
        ! get attribute index given name:
        hdf4_iatt = sfFAttr( hdf4_id , trim(name) )
        if ( hdf4_iatt == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("finding attribute `",a,"`")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! get type and length:
        status = sfGAInfo( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, hdf4_name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (gol,'("getting attribute info")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
      
        ! read numerical attribute:
        select case ( hdf4_xtype )
          case ( DFNT_INT8 )
            allocate( values_int1(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int1 )
            values = real(values_int1,kind=8)
            deallocate( values_int1 )
          case ( DFNT_INT16 )
            allocate( values_int2(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int2 )
            values = real(values_int2,kind=8)
            deallocate( values_int2 )
          case ( DFNT_INT32 )
            allocate( values_int4(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int4 )
            values = real(values_int4,kind=8)
            deallocate( values_int4 )
          case ( DFNT_INT64 )
            allocate( values_int8(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_int8 )
            values = real(values_int8,kind=8)
            deallocate( values_int8 )
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 )
            allocate( values_real4(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real4 )
            values = real(values_real4,kind=8)
            deallocate( values_real4 )
          case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 )
            allocate( values_real8(hdf4_length) )
            status = sfRNAtt( hdf4_id, hdf4_iatt, values_real8 )
            values = real(values_real8,kind=8)
            deallocate( values_real8 )
          case default
            write (gol,'("not implemented for hdf4 data type ",i6)') hdf4_xtype
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (*,'("reading attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
          
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = filep%hdf5_file_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        else
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        end if
        ! data type:
        call H5TCopy_f( H5T_NATIVE_DOUBLE, hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! open attribute:
        call H5AOpen_By_Name_f( hdf5_loc_id, hdf5_obj_name, trim(name), hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
        ! read:
        call H5ARead_f( hdf5_attr_id, hdf5_type_id, values, int(shape(values),HSIZE_T), status ) 
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        
        ! release:
        call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! release:
        call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! set variable id:
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          netcdf_varid = NF90_GLOBAL
        else
          netcdf_varid = varp%netcdf_varid
        end if
        ! read attribute:
        status = NF90_Get_Att( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_varid, trim(name), values )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select

    ! ok
    status = 0
      
  end subroutine MDF_Get_Att_r8_1d
      
  
  
      

  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** inquire
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************


  subroutine MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
  
    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                ::  ftype
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Get_Type'
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    integer                         ::  iftype

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! check ...
    if ( filep%nftype /= 1 ) then
      write (gol,'("mdf file not defined for single type but for ",i6," ...")') filep%nftype; call goErr
      do iftype = 1, filep%nftype
        select case ( filep%ftypes(iftype) )
#ifdef with_hdf4
          case ( MDF_HDF4 )
            write (gol,'("  hdf4 file     : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
          case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
            write (gol,'("  netcdf file   : ",a)') trim(filep%netcdf_fname); call goErr
#endif
          case default
            write (gol,'("  (unsupported type)")'); call goErr
        end select
      end do
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
    
    ! return single type:
    ftype = filep%ftypes(1)
    
    ! ok
    status = 0

  end subroutine MDF_Get_Type
  
  
  ! ***
  
  
  subroutine MDF_Inquire( hid, status, &
                            nDimensions, nVariables, nAttributes )
  
    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status
    
    integer, intent(out), optional      ::  nDimensions
    integer, intent(out), optional      ::  nVariables
    integer, intent(out), optional      ::  nAttributes

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Inquire'
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! return number of dimensions ?
    if ( present(nDimensions) ) then
      ! get number of elements in list:
      call MDF_Dim_List_Inquire( filep%Dim_List, status, n=nDimensions )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! return number of variables ?
    if ( present(nVariables) ) then
      ! get number of elements in list:
      call MDF_Var_List_Inquire( filep%Var_List, status, n=nVariables )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
    
    ! return number of global attributes ?
    if ( present(nAttributes) ) then
      ! copy from structure:
      nAttributes = filep%natt
    end if
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine MDF_Inquire
  
  
  ! ***
  
  
  subroutine MDF_Inq_DimID( hid, name, dimid, status )
  
    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                           ::  hid
    character(len=*), intent(in)                  ::  name
    integer, intent(out)                          ::  dimid
    integer, intent(out)                          ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Inq_DimID'
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    integer                         ::  ndim, idim
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  dimname

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------
    
    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! dummy ...
    dimid = -1

    ! number of variables:
    call MDF_Inquire( hid, status, ndimensions=ndim )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    ! list variables ?
    if ( ndim > 0 ) then
      ! loop over variables:
      do idim = 1, ndim
        ! get name:
        call MDF_Inquire_Dimension( hid, idim, status, name=dimname )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! similar ?
        if ( trim(name) == trim(dimname) ) then
          ! store current id:
          dimid = idim
          ! leave:
          exit
        end if
      end do  ! variables
    end if
    
    ! check ...
    if ( dimid < 0 ) then
      write (gol,'("no dimension `",a,"` found in file : ",a)') trim(name), trim(filep%filename); call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end if
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine MDF_Inq_DimID


  ! ***
  
  
  subroutine MDF_Inquire_Dimension( hid, dimid, status, name, length, unlimited, named )
  
    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                           ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                           ::  dimid
    integer, intent(out)                          ::  status
    
    character(len=*), intent(out), optional       ::  name
    integer, intent(out), optional                ::  length
    logical, intent(out), optional                ::  unlimited
    logical, intent(out), optional                ::  named

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Inquire_Dimension'
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Dim), pointer          ::  dimp

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to dimension structure:
    call MDF_Dim_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Dim_List, dimid, dimp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! return value ?
    if ( present(name     ) ) name      = trim(dimp%name)
    if ( present(length   ) ) length    = dimp%length
    if ( present(unlimited) ) unlimited = dimp%unlimited
    if ( present(named    ) ) named     = dimp%named
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine MDF_Inquire_Dimension
  
  
  ! ***
  
  
  subroutine MDF_Inq_VarID( hid, name, varid, status )
  
    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                           ::  hid
    character(len=*), intent(in)                  ::  name
    integer, intent(out)                          ::  varid
    integer, intent(out)                          ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Inq_VarID'
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    integer                         ::  nvar, ivar
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  varname

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------
    
    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! dummy ...
    varid = -1

    ! number of variables:
    call MDF_Inquire( hid, status, nVariables=nvar )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    ! list variables ?
    if ( nvar > 0 ) then
      ! loop over variables:
      do ivar = 1, nvar
        ! get name:
        call MDF_Inquire_Variable( hid, ivar, status, name=varname )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! similar ?
        if ( trim(name) == trim(varname) ) then
          ! store current id:
          varid = ivar
          ! leave:
          exit
        end if
      end do  ! variables
    end if
    
    ! check ...
    if ( varid < 0 ) then
      write (gol,'("no variable `",a,"` found in file : ",a)') trim(name), trim(filep%filename); call goErr
      TRACEBACK; status=varid; return
    end if
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine MDF_Inq_VarID
  
  
  ! ***
  
  
  subroutine MDF_Inquire_Variable( hid, varid, status, &
                                     name, xtype, ndims, dimids, natts, &
                                     shp )
  
    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                           ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                           ::  varid
    integer, intent(out)                          ::  status
    
    character(len=*), intent(out), optional       ::  name
    integer, intent(out), optional                ::  xtype
    integer, intent(out), optional                ::  ndims
    integer, intent(out), optional                ::  dimids(:)
    integer, intent(out), optional                ::  natts
    integer, intent(out), optional                ::  shp(:)

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Inquire_Variable'
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    integer                         ::  ftype
    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------
    
    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to variable structure:
    call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! return value ?
    if ( present(name     ) ) name  = trim(varp%name)
    if ( present(xtype    ) ) xtype = varp%xtype
    if ( present(ndims    ) ) ndims = varp%ndim
    if ( present(dimids   ) ) then
      if ( size(dimids) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("size of dimension id array (",i6,") should equal number of dimensions (",i6,")")') size(dimids), varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
      dimids = varp%dimids(1:varp%ndim)
    end if
    if ( present(natts) ) then
      natts = varp%natt
    end if
    
    ! special:
    if ( present(shp) ) then
      if ( size(shp) /= varp%ndim ) then
        write (gol,'("size of shape array (",i6,") should equal number of dimensions (",i6,")")') size(shp), varp%ndim; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
      shp = varp%shp(1:varp%ndim)
    end if
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine MDF_Inquire_Variable
  
  
  ! ***
  
  
  subroutine MDF_Inquire_Attribute( hid, varid, name, status, xtype, length )
  
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AOpen_By_Name_f, H5AClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5AGet_Type_f
    use HDF5, only : H5TGet_Native_Type_f, H5TClose_f
    use HDF5, only : H5T_DIR_ASCEND_F
    use HDF5, only : H5AGet_Space_f
    use HDF5, only : H5SGet_Simple_Extent_Dims_f, H5SClose_f
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Inquire_Attribute
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_GLOBAL
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_CHAR, NF90_BYTE, NF90_SHORT, NF90_INT, NF90_FLOAT, NF90_DOUBLE
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                           ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                           ::  varid
    character(len=*), intent(in)                  ::  name
    integer, intent(out)                          ::  status
    
    integer, intent(out), optional                ::  xtype
    integer, intent(out), optional                ::  length

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Inquire_Attribute'
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfFAttr
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    integer                         ::  ftype
    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_id
    integer                         ::  hdf4_attind
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf4_name
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_loc_id
    character(len=LEN_NAME)         ::  hdf5_obj_name
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_attr_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_type_id
    integer(HID_T)                  ::  hdf5_space_id
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_dims(MAX_RANK)
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_maxdims(MAX_RANK)
    integer                         ::  hdf5_rank
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    integer                         ::  netcdf_id
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------
    
    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    

    ! select appropriate routine:
    select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! global or variable attribute ?
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf4_id = filep%hdf4_id
        else
          ! pointer to variable structure:
          call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! variable id:
          hdf4_id = varp%hdf4_sdid
        end if
        ! get attribute number given name:
        hdf4_attind = sfFAttr( hdf4_id, trim(name) )
        if ( hdf4_attind == FAIL ) then
          write (gol,'("finding attribute `",a,"`")') trim(name); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          status=-1; return
        end if
        ! extract info:
        status = sfGAInfo( hdf4_id, hdf4_attind, hdf4_name, hdf4_xtype, length )
        if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
          write (gol,'("getting attribute info:")'); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  hdf4 file             : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
          if ( varid /= MDF_GLOBAL ) then
            write (gol,'("  variable name         : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
          end if
          write (gol,'("  hdf4 attribute index  : ",i6)') hdf4_attind; call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end if
        ! return type ?
        if ( present(xtype) ) then
          ! convert:
          select case ( hdf4_xtype )
            case ( DFNT_CHAR    ) ;  xtype = MDF_CHAR  
            case ( DFNT_INT8    ) ;  xtype = MDF_BYTE  
            case ( DFNT_INT16   ) ;  xtype = MDF_SHORT 
            case ( DFNT_INT32   ) ;  xtype = MDF_INT   
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT32 ) ;  xtype = MDF_FLOAT 
            case ( DFNT_FLOAT64 ) ;  xtype = MDF_DOUBLE
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported data type : ",i6)') hdf4_xtype; call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        end if
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_HDF5 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! global or variable attribute ?
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = filep%hdf5_file_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        else
          ! pointer to variable structure:
          call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! dataset id:
          hdf5_loc_id   = varp%hdf5_dataset_id
          hdf5_obj_name = '.'
        end if
        ! open attribute:
        call H5AOpen_By_Name_f( hdf5_loc_id, hdf5_obj_name, trim(name), hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! get type ?
        if ( present(xtype) ) then
          ! get data type id:
          call H5AGet_Type_f( hdf5_attr_id, hdf5_type_id, status ) 
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1) 
          ! convert to mdf type code:
          call HDF5_Get_MDF_Type( hdf5_type_id, xtype, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1) 
          ! release:
          call H5TClose_f( hdf5_type_id, status ) 
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        end if
        ! return length ?
        if ( present(length) ) then
          ! get data space id:
          call H5AGet_Space_f( hdf5_attr_id, hdf5_space_id, status ) 
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! get dimensions:
          call H5SGet_Simple_Extent_Dims_f( hdf5_space_id, hdf5_dims, hdf5_maxdims, status )
          if ( status < 0 ) then
            write (gol,'("could not extract dimensions for attribute : ",a)') trim(name); call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          else
            hdf5_rank = status
          end if
          ! extract length:
          if ( hdf5_rank == 0 ) then
            length = 1  ! scalar
          else if ( hdf5_rank == 1 ) then
            length = hdf5_dims(1)  ! 1d array
          else
            write (gol,'("hdf5 attributes not supported for rank ",i6)') hdf5_rank; call goErr 
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          endif
          ! release:
          call H5SClose_f( hdf5_space_id, status ) 
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        end if
        ! release:
        call H5AClose_f( hdf5_attr_id, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        ! global or variable attribute ?
        if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
          ! file id:
          netcdf_id = NF90_GLOBAL
        else
          ! pointer to variable structure:
          call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! variable id:
          netcdf_id = varp%netcdf_varid
        end if
        ! get type etc:
        status = NF90_Inquire_Attribute( filep%netcdf_id, netcdf_id, trim(name), &
                         xtype=xtype, len=length )
        IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! return type ?
        if ( present(xtype) ) then
          ! convert:
          select case ( xtype )
            case ( NF90_CHAR   ) ;  xtype = MDF_CHAR  
            case ( NF90_BYTE   ) ;  xtype = MDF_BYTE  
            case ( NF90_SHORT  ) ;  xtype = MDF_SHORT 
            case ( NF90_INT    ) ;  xtype = MDF_INT   
            case ( NF90_FLOAT  ) ;  xtype = MDF_FLOAT 
            case ( NF90_DOUBLE ) ;  xtype = MDF_DOUBLE
            case default
              write (gol,'("unsupported data type : ",i6)') xtype; call goErr
              TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end select
        end if
#endif
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      case default
      ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
        write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select

    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine MDF_Inquire_Attribute
  
  
  ! ***
  
  
  subroutine MDF_Inq_AttName( hid, varid, attnum, name, status )
  
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    use HDF5, only : HSIZE_T
    use HDF5, only : H5AGet_Name_By_Idx_f
    use HDF5, only : H5_INDEX_CRT_ORDER_F, H5_ITER_NATIVE_F
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
    use NetCDF, only : NF90_Inq_AttName, NF90_GLOBAL
#endif

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                           ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                           ::  varid
    integer, intent(in)                           ::  attnum  ! 1,..,natt
    character(len=*), intent(out)                 ::  name
    integer, intent(out)                          ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Inq_AttName'
    
    ! --- external -------------------------------

#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer(hdf4_wpi), external   ::  sfGAInfo
#endif
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------

    integer                         ::  ftype
    type(MDF_File), pointer         ::  filep
    type(MDF_Var), pointer          ::  varp
#ifdef with_hdf4
    integer                         ::  hdf4_xtype
    integer                         ::  hdf4_length
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
    integer(HSIZE_T)                ::  hdf5_idx
#endif

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------
    
    ! single type:
    call MDF_Get_Type( hid, ftype, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! pointer to file structure:
    call MDF_File_List_Get_Pointer( File_List, hid, filep, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    
    ! global attribute ?
    if ( varid == MDF_GLOBAL ) then
      
      ! select appropriate routine:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! extract info:
          status = sfGAInfo( filep%hdf4_id, attnum-1, name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (gol,'("getting attribute info:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  hdf4 file         : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  attribute number  : ",i6)') attnum; call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! open attribute:
          call H5AGet_Name_By_Idx_f( filep%hdf5_file_id, '.', &
                                      H5_INDEX_CRT_ORDER_F, H5_ITER_NATIVE_F, int(attnum-1,HSIZE_T), &
                                      name, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! get name:
          status = NF90_Inq_AttName( filep%netcdf_id, NF90_GLOBAL, attnum, name )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    
    else  ! variable attribute

      ! pointer to variable structure:
      call MDF_Var_List_Get_Pointer( filep%Var_List, varid, varp, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      
      ! select appropriate routine:
      select case ( ftype )
#ifdef with_hdf4
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! extract info:
          status = sfGAInfo( varp%hdf4_sdid, attnum-1, name, hdf4_xtype, hdf4_length )
          if ( status /= SUCCEED ) then
            write (gol,'("getting attribute info:")'); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  hdf4 file         : ",a)') trim(filep%hdf4_fname); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  variable name     : ",a)') trim(varp%name); call goErr
            write (gol,'("  attribute number  : ",i6)') attnum; call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
          end if
#endif
#ifdef with_hdf5_beta
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_HDF5 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! index number:
          hdf5_idx = attnum-1
          ! open attribute:
          call H5AGet_Name_By_Idx_f( varp%hdf5_dataset_id, '.', &
                                      H5_INDEX_CRT_ORDER_F, H5_ITER_NATIVE_F, hdf5_idx, &
                                      name, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
#ifdef with_netcdf
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case ( MDF_NETCDF, MDF_NETCDF4 )
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          ! get name:
          status = NF90_Inq_AttName( filep%netcdf_id, varp%netcdf_varid, attnum, name )
          IF_NF90_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
#endif
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        case default
        ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          write (gol,'("unsupported filetype : ",i6)') ftype; call goErr
          write (gol,'("  filetype name : ",a)') trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype)); call goErr
          write (gol,'("  compiled without macro `with_*` defined ?")'); call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select

    end if  ! global or variable attribute
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine MDF_Inq_AttName


  ! ********************************************************************
  ! ***
  ! *** show content
  ! ***
  ! ********************************************************************
  

  subroutine MDF_Show( filename, status, filetype, show_data )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    character(len=*), intent(in)        ::  filename
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status
    integer, intent(in), optional       ::  filetype
    logical, intent(in), optional       ::  show_data

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Show'
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------
    
    integer                           ::  l
    integer                           ::  ftype
    logical                           ::  do_show_data
    integer                           ::  hid
    integer                           ::  ndim, idim
    integer                           ::  nvar, ivar
    integer                           ::  natt
    logical                           ::  named
    character(len=LEN_NAME)           ::  ftype_name
    character(len=LEN_NAME)           ::  name
    integer                           ::  length
    logical                           ::  unlimited
    logical                           ::  isfirst
    integer                           ::  xtype
    integer                           ::  dimids(MAX_RANK)
    integer                           ::  shp(MAX_RANK)
    character(len=LEN_LINE)           ::  line
    character(len=LEN_NAME)           ::  val

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------
    
    ! show data ?
    do_show_data = .false.
    if ( present(show_data) ) do_show_data = show_data

    ! guess file type by default, or set to optional argument:
    ftype = MDF_NONE
    if ( present(filetype) ) ftype = filetype
    
    ! guess file type ?
    if ( ftype == MDF_NONE ) then
      ! length of filename:
      l = len_trim(filename)
      ! guess ...
      if ( (l > 3) .and. (filename(l-2:l) == '.nc') ) then
        ftype = MDF_NETCDF
      else if ( (l > 3) .and. (filename(l-2:l) == '.h5') ) then
        ftype = MDF_HDF5
      else if ( (l > 4) .and. (filename(l-3:l) == '.hdf') ) then
        ftype = MDF_HDF4
      else
        write (gol,'("could not guess file type from file name:")'); call goErr
        write (gol,'("  ",a)') trim(filename); call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end if
    end if
    
    ! filetype name:
    ftype_name = trim(MDF_FILETYPE_NAME(ftype))
#ifdef with_netcdf
    if ( ftype == MDF_NETCDF ) then
      call NetCDF_Get_FileType( trim(filename), ftype_name, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if
#endif

    ! open file:
    call MDF_Open( trim(filename), ftype, MDF_READ, hid, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! header line:
    !   <filetype> <filename> {
    write (gol,'(a," ",a," {")') trim(ftype_name), trim(filename); call goPr
    
    ! number of dimensions:
    call MDF_Inquire( hid, status, nDimensions=ndim )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    ! list dimensions ?
    if ( ndim > 0 ) then
      ! init flag:
      isfirst = .true.
      ! loop over dimensions:
      do idim = 1, ndim
        ! write lines:
        !   x = 4 ;
	      !   t = UNLIMITED ; // (5 currently)
        !   ...
        ! get name and length:
        call MDF_Inquire_Dimension( hid, idim, status, name=name, named=named, &
                                          length=length, unlimited=unlimited )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! skip ?
        if ( .not. named ) cycle
        ! display header ?
        if ( isfirst ) then
          write (gol,'("dimensions:")'); call goPr
          isfirst = .false.
        end if
        ! display:
        if ( unlimited ) then
          write (val,*) length
          val = adjustl(val)
          write (gol,'("  ",a," = UNLIMITED ; // (",a," currently)")') trim(name), trim(val); call goPr
        else if ( named ) then
          write (gol,'("  ",a," = ",i6," ;")') trim(name), length; call goPr
        end if
      end do   ! dimensions
    end if   ! ndim > 0
    
    ! number of variables:
    call MDF_Inquire( hid, status, nVariables=nvar )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    ! list variables ?
    if ( nvar > 0 ) then
      ! start:
      write (gol,'("variables:")'); call goPr
      ! loop over variables:
      do ivar = 1, nvar
        ! write lines:
        !   float afield(y, x) ;
		    !     afield:unit = "m" ;
        !     ...
        ! get name etc:
        call MDF_Inquire_Variable( hid, ivar, status, name=name, xtype=xtype, ndims=ndim, natts=natt )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! get dimension id's now the number is known:
        call MDF_Inquire_Variable( hid, ivar, status, dimids=dimids(1:ndim) )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! start line with type and variable name:
        write (line,'("  ",a," ",a,"(")') trim(MDF_DATATYPE_NAME(xtype)), trim(name)
        ! loop over dimensions:
        shp = 1
        do idim = 1, ndim
          ! get dimension name:
          call MDF_Inquire_Dimension( hid, dimids(idim), status, name=name, named=named, &
                                              length=length, unlimited=unlimited )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
          ! add to line:
          if ( idim > 1 ) line = trim(line)//','
          ! name or number ...
          if ( named ) then
            line = trim(line)//' '//trim(name)
          else
            write (val,*) length
            line = trim(line)//' '//adjustl(val)
            if (unlimited) line = trim(line)//'/Inf'
          end if
          ! store for show_data:
          shp(idim) = length
        end do
        ! close line:
        line = trim(line)//' ) ;'
        ! display dimension name(dims) line:
        write (gol,'(a)') trim(line); call goPr
        ! write attributes:
        call MDF_Show_Attributes( hid, ivar, natt, status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! show data ?
        if ( do_show_data ) then
          ! display data:
          call MDF_Show_Data( hid, ivar, xtype, ndim, shp, status )
          IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        end if
      end do  ! variables
    end if  ! nvar > 0
    
    ! number of global attributes:
    call MDF_Inquire( hid, status, nAttributes=natt )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    ! global attributes ?
    if ( natt > 0 ) then
      ! intro:
      write (gol,'("")'); call goPr
      write (gol,'("// global attributes:")'); call goPr
      ! display attributes:
      call MDF_Show_Attributes( hid, MDF_GLOBAL, natt, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
    end if

    ! closure:
    !   }
    write (gol,'("}")'); call goPr

    ! close file:
    call MDF_Close( hid, status )
    IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine MDF_Show
  
  
  ! ***
  
  
  subroutine MDF_Show_Attributes( hid, ivar, natt, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  ivar
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  natt
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Show_Attributes'
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------
    
    integer                           ::  l
    integer                           ::  iatt
    character(len=LEN_NAME)           ::  name
    integer                           ::  length
    integer                           ::  xtype
    character(len=LEN_LINE)           ::  line
    character(len=LEN_NAME)           ::  val
    integer                           ::  ival
    integer(4), allocatable           ::  values_i4(:)
    real(8), allocatable              ::  values_r8(:)

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------
  
    ! loop over attributes:
    do iatt = 1, natt
      ! get name:
      call MDF_Inq_AttName( hid, ivar, iatt, name, status )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      ! get type and length:
      call MDF_Inquire_Attribute( hid, ivar, name, status, xtype=xtype, length=length )
      IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
      !! info ...
      !write (gol,'("    ",a," <",a,"> ",i4," ;")') trim(name), trim(MDF_DATATYPE_NAME(xtype)), length; call goPr
      ! different per type ...
      select case ( xtype )
        !character values
        case ( MDF_CHAR )
          ! get value:
          call MDF_Get_Att( hid, ivar, name, line, status )
          if (status/=0) then
            ! somthing went wrong (attribute too large ?)
            line = '...'
          else
            ! ok; but not too much to the screen ...
            if ( len_trim(line) > 400 )  line = line(1:400)//'...'
          end if
          ! display ..


          ! variable rank etc:
          write (gol,'("    ",a," = """,a,""" ;")') trim(name), trim(line); call goPr

        !integer values
        case ( MDF_BYTE, MDF_SHORT, MDF_INT )
          ! storage:
          allocate( values_i4(length) )
          ! fill:
          call MDF_Get_Att( hid, ivar, name, values_i4, status )
          if (status/=0) then
            ! somthing went wrong (attribute too large ?)
            line = '...'
          else
            ! loop over values:
            line = ''
            do ival = 1, min(length,50)
              ! add seperation if necessary:
              if ( ival > 1 ) line = trim(line)//','
              ! dump value:
              write (val,*) values_i4(ival)
              ! shift to left:
              val = adjustl(val)
              ! add to line:
              line = trim(line)//' '//trim(val)
              ! add type indicator if necessary:
              if ( xtype == MDF_BYTE  ) line = trim(line)//'b'
              if ( xtype == MDF_SHORT ) line = trim(line)//'s'
            end do
            if ( ival < length ) line=trim(line)//' ...'
          end if
          ! display:
          write (gol,'("    ",a," =",a)') trim(name), trim(line); call goPr
          ! clear:
          deallocate( values_i4 )
        !floating point values
        case ( MDF_FLOAT, MDF_DOUBLE )
          ! storage:
          allocate( values_r8(length) )
          ! fill:
          call MDF_Get_Att( hid, ivar, name, values_r8, status )
          if (status/=0) then
            ! somthing went wrong (attribute too large ?)
            line = '...'
          else
            ! loop over values:
            line = ''
            do ival = 1, min(length,50)
              ! add seperation if necessary:
              if ( ival > 1 ) line = trim(line)//','
              ! dump value:
              write (val,*) values_r8(ival)
              ! remove tailing zeros:
              do l = len_trim(val), 1, -1
                if ( val(l:l) /= '0' ) exit
                val(l:l) = ' '
              end do
              ! shift to left:
              val = adjustl(val)
              ! add to line:
              line = trim(line)//' '//trim(val)
              ! add type indicator if necessary:
              if ( xtype == MDF_FLOAT  ) line = trim(line)//'f'
            end do
            if ( ival < length ) line=trim(line)//' ...'
          end if
          ! display:
          write (gol,'("    ",a," =",a)') trim(name), trim(line); call goPr
          ! clear:
          deallocate( values_r8 )
        !other ...
        case default
          write (gol,'("INTERNAL - unsupported data type : ",i6)') xtype; call goErr
          TRACEBACK; status=1; return
      end select
    end do
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine MDF_Show_Attributes
  
  
  ! ***
  
  
  subroutine MDF_Show_Data( hid, ivar, xtype, rank, shp, status )

    ! --- in/out -------------------------------------

    integer, intent(in)                 ::  hid
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  ivar
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  xtype
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  rank
    integer, intent(in)                 ::  shp(MAX_RANK)
    integer, intent(out)                ::  status

    ! --- const --------------------------------------

    character(len=*), parameter  ::  rname = mname//'/MDF_Show_Data'
    
    ! --- local --------------------------------------
    
    character(len=LEN_LINE)                 ::  line
    character(len=LEN_NAME)                 ::  val
    integer                                 ::  l
    integer                                 ::  i1,i2,i3,i4,i5,i6,i7
    integer(4), allocatable                 ::  values_i4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    real(8), allocatable                    ::  values_r8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:)
    character(len=shp(1)), allocatable      ::  values_c   (:,:,:,:,:,:)

    ! --- begin --------------------------------------
    
    ! per type:
    select case ( xtype )

      ! character values:
      case ( MDF_CHAR )
        ! storage:
        allocate( values_c(shp(2),shp(3),shp(4),shp(5),shp(6),shp(7)), stat=status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! read:
        select case ( rank )
          case ( 1 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_c(1,1,1,1,1,1), status, count=shp(1:rank) )
          case ( 2 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_c(:,1,1,1,1,1), status, count=shp(1:rank) )
          case ( 3 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_c(:,:,1,1,1,1), status, count=shp(1:rank) )
          case ( 4 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_c(:,:,:,1,1,1), status, count=shp(1:rank) )
          case ( 5 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_c(:,:,:,:,1,1), status, count=shp(1:rank) )
          case ( 6 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_c(:,:,:,:,:,1), status, count=shp(1:rank) )
          case ( 7 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_c(:,:,:,:,:,:), status, count=shp(1:rank) )
          case default
            write (gol,'("INTERNAL - unsupported rank : ",i6)') rank; call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! loop over higher dimensions:
        do i7 = 1, shp(7)
          do i6 = 1, shp(6)
            do i5 = 1, shp(5)
              do i4 = 1, shp(4)
                do i3 = 1, shp(3)
                  ! plot index of higer dimensions ?
                  if ( rank > 2 ) then
                    line = '      (:,:'
                    if ( rank >= 3 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i3
                    if ( rank >= 4 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i4
                    if ( rank >= 5 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i5
                    if ( rank >= 6 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i6
                    if ( rank >= 7 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i7
                    line = trim(line)//')'
                    write (gol,'(a)') trim(line); call goPr
                  end if
                  ! display matrix:
                  do i2 = 1, shp(2)
                    ! copy value:
                    line = values_c(i2,i3,i4,i5,i6,i7)
                    ! display:
                    write (gol,'("        `",a,"` ;")') trim(line); call goPr
                  end do  ! i2
                end do  ! i3
              end do  ! i4
            end do  ! i5
          end do  ! i6
        end do  ! i7
        ! clear:
        deallocate( values_c, stat=status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

      ! integer values:
      case ( MDF_BYTE, MDF_SHORT, MDF_INT )
        ! storage:
        allocate( values_i4(shp(1),shp(2),shp(3),shp(4),shp(5),shp(6),shp(7)), stat=status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! read:
        select case ( rank )
          case ( 1 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_i4(:,1,1,1,1,1,1), status )
          case ( 2 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_i4(:,:,1,1,1,1,1), status )
          case ( 3 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_i4(:,:,:,1,1,1,1), status )
          case ( 4 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_i4(:,:,:,:,1,1,1), status )
          case ( 5 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_i4(:,:,:,:,:,1,1), status )
          case ( 6 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_i4(:,:,:,:,:,:,1), status )
          case ( 7 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_i4(:,:,:,:,:,:,:), status )
          case default
            write (gol,'("INTERNAL - unsupported rank : ",i6)') rank; call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! loop over higher dimensions:
        do i7 = 1, shp(7)
          do i6 = 1, shp(6)
            do i5 = 1, shp(5)
              do i4 = 1, shp(4)
                do i3 = 1, shp(3)
                  ! plot index of higer dimensions ?
                  if ( rank > 2 ) then
                    line = '      (:,:'
                    if ( rank >= 3 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i3
                    if ( rank >= 4 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i4
                    if ( rank >= 5 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i5
                    if ( rank >= 6 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i6
                    if ( rank >= 7 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i7
                    line = trim(line)//')'
                    write (gol,'(a)') trim(line); call goPr
                  end if
                  ! display matrix:
                  do i2 = 1, shp(2)
                    line = ''
                    do i1 = 1, shp(1)
                      !! not all ?
                      !if ( i1 > 10 ) then
                      !  line = trim(line)//' ...'
                      !  exit
                      !end if
                      ! add seperation if necessary:
                      if ( i1 > 1 ) line = trim(line)//','
                      ! dump value:
                      write (val,*) values_i4(i1,i2,i3,i4,i5,i6,i7)
                      ! shift to left:
                      val = adjustl(val)
                      ! add to line:
                      line = trim(line)//' '//trim(val)
                      ! add type indicator if necessary:
                      if ( xtype == MDF_BYTE  ) line = trim(line)//'b'
                      if ( xtype == MDF_SHORT ) line = trim(line)//'s'
                      ! line too long already ?
                      if ( len_trim(line) > 72 ) then
                        ! display:
                        write (gol,'("        ",a," ;")') trim(line); call goPr
                        ! empty:
                        line = ''
                      end if
                    end do  ! i1
                    ! display:
                    if ( len_trim(line) > 0 ) then
                      write (gol,'("        ",a," ;")') trim(line); call goPr
                    end if
                  end do  ! i2
                end do  ! i3
              end do  ! i4
            end do  ! i5
          end do  ! i6
        end do  ! i7
        ! clear:
        deallocate( values_i4, stat=status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

      ! real values:
      case ( MDF_FLOAT, MDF_DOUBLE )
        ! storage:
        allocate( values_r8(shp(1),shp(2),shp(3),shp(4),shp(5),shp(6),shp(7)), stat=status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! read:
        select case ( rank )
          case ( 1 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_r8(:,1,1,1,1,1,1), status )
          case ( 2 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_r8(:,:,1,1,1,1,1), status )
          case ( 3 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_r8(:,:,:,1,1,1,1), status )
          case ( 4 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_r8(:,:,:,:,1,1,1), status )
          case ( 5 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_r8(:,:,:,:,:,1,1), status )
          case ( 6 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_r8(:,:,:,:,:,:,1), status )
          case ( 7 ) ; call MDF_Get_Var( hid, ivar, values_r8(:,:,:,:,:,:,:), status )
          case default
            write (gol,'("INTERNAL - unsupported rank : ",i6)') rank; call goErr
            TRACEBACK; status=1; return
        end select
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)
        ! loop over higher dimensions:
        do i7 = 1, shp(7)
          do i6 = 1, shp(6)
            do i5 = 1, shp(5)
              do i4 = 1, shp(4)
                do i3 = 1, shp(3)
                  ! plot index of higer dimensions ?
                  if ( rank > 2 ) then
                    line = '      (:,:'
                    if ( rank >= 3 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i3
                    if ( rank >= 4 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i4
                    if ( rank >= 5 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i5
                    if ( rank >= 6 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i6
                    if ( rank >= 7 ) write (line,'(a,",",i4)') trim(line), i7
                    line = trim(line)//')'
                    write (gol,'(a)') trim(line); call goPr
                  end if
                  ! display matrix:
                  do i2 = 1, shp(2)
                    line = ''
                    do i1 = 1, shp(1)
                      !! not all ?
                      !if ( i1 > 10 ) then
                      !  line = trim(line)//' ...'
                      !  exit
                      !end if
                      ! add seperation if necessary:
                      if ( i1 > 1 ) line = trim(line)//','
                      ! dump value:
                      write (val,*) values_r8(i1,i2,i3,i4,i5,i6,i7)
                      ! remove tailing zeros:
                      do l = len_trim(val), 1, -1
                        if ( val(l:l) /= '0' ) exit
                        val(l:l) = ' '
                      end do
                      ! shift to left:
                      val = adjustl(val)
                      ! add to line:
                      line = trim(line)//' '//trim(val)
                      ! add type indicator if necessary:
                      if ( xtype == MDF_FLOAT  ) line = trim(line)//'f'
                      ! line too long already ?
                      if ( len_trim(line) > 72 ) then
                        ! display:
                        write (gol,'("        ",a," ;")') trim(line); call goPr
                        ! empty:
                        line = ''
                      end if
                    end do  ! i1
                    ! display:
                    if ( len_trim(line) > 0 ) then
                      write (gol,'("        ",a," ;")') trim(line); call goPr
                    end if
                  end do  ! i2
                end do  ! i3
              end do  ! i4
            end do  ! i5
          end do  ! i6
        end do  ! i7
        ! clear:
        deallocate( values_r8, stat=status )
        IF_NOT_OK_RETURN(status=1)

      case default
        write (gol,'("INTERNAL - unsupported data type : ",i6)') xtype; call goErr
        TRACEBACK; status=1; return
    end select
    
    ! ok
    status = 0
    
  end subroutine MDF_Show_Data


end module MDF