root/win32/itpp-4.0.1/itpp/base/itfile.h @ 76

/*!
 * \file
 * \brief Definition of classes for the IT++ file format
 * \author Tony Ottosson, Tobias Ringstrom and Adam Piatyszek
 *
 * -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 *
 * IT++ - C++ library of mathematical, signal processing, speech processing,
 *        and communications classes and functions
 *
 * Copyright (C) 1995-2007  (see AUTHORS file for a list of contributors)
 *
 * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
 * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
 * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
 * (at your option) any later version.
 *
 * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
 * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
 * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
 * GNU General Public License for more details.
 *
 * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
 * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
 *
 * -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 */

#ifndef ITFILE_H
#define ITFILE_H

#include <itpp/base/vec.h>
#include <itpp/base/array.h>
#include <itpp/base/binfile.h>
#include <itpp/base/ittypes.h>


namespace itpp {

  /*!
    \addtogroup itfile
    \brief The IT++ file format
    \author Tony Ottosson, Tobias Ringstrom and Adam Piatyszek

    The IT++ file format is a file format that can be used to save (load)
    variables to (from) files. These files can also be read an written by
    Matlab or Octave using the m-files \c itload.m and \c itsave.m.

    The class it_ifile is used for reading only, whereas the class it_file
    can be used for both reading and writing.

    Saving of a variable is done in two steps. The first step is to supply
    the name and optionally description of the variable to be saved. This
    can be done either by calling the function it_file::set_next_name() or
    by using the helper class Name:

    \code
    vec v("1 2 3");
    bvec b = "0 1 0 1";
    it_file f("file.it");
    f << Name("v", "A double vector of tree values") << v;
    f.set_next_name("b");
    f << b;
    \endcode

    The reading is done in a similar way:

    \code
    vec v;
    bvec b;
    it_ifile f("file.it");
    f >> Name("v") >> v;
    f.seek("b");
    f >> b;
    \endcode

    \note Since version 3, IT++ file format uses the IEEE little endian byte
    ordering ("ieee-le" in Matlab/Octave). This version is not backward
    compatible with previous versions. If you need to read/write data in
    IT++ file format version 2, you can use the it_ifile_old and it_file_old
    classes. Please have in mind that these "old" classes are deprecated and
    will be removed from the IT++ library in future.

    \warning Do not use the names that begin with an existing type.
  */

  /*!
    \brief Base class for it_ifile and it_file.
    \ingroup itfile
  */
  class it_file_base {
  public:
    //! Data header structure
    struct data_header {
      //! Number of bytes of the header
      uint64_t hdr_bytes;
      //! Number of bytes of the data
      uint64_t data_bytes;
      //! Number of bytes of the header + data
      uint64_t block_bytes;
      //! Data name
      std::string name;
      //! Data type, e.g. int32, float32, etc. type = "" means deleted
      std::string type;
      //! Data description
      std::string desc;
    };

  protected:
    //! File header structure
    struct file_header {
      //! IT++ file marker: "IT++"
      char magic[4];
      //! IT++ file format version
      char version;
    };
    //! IT++ file marker: "IT++"
    static char file_magic[4];
    //! IT++ file version
    static char file_version;
  };


  /*!
    \brief The IT++ file format reading class.
    \ingroup itfile
  */
  class it_ifile : public it_file_base {
  public:
    //! Default constructor
    it_ifile();
    //! Constructor that calls open(filename)
    explicit it_ifile(const std::string& filename);
    //! Destructor
    virtual ~it_ifile() { }
    //! Open an existing file in read-only mode
    void open(const std::string& filename);
    //! Close the file
    virtual void close();
    //! Returns pointer to the underlying \c bfstream used
    bfstream& low_level() { return s; }

    //! Read and check the file header. Return true if the header is valid and false otherwise.
    bool read_check_file_header();
    //! Read data header and return the result in the variable \c h
    void read_data_header(data_header& h);

    //! Read a char value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(char& x);
    //! Read a 64-bit unsigned integer value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(uint64_t& x);
    //! Read a bool value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(bool &x);

    //! Read a binary value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(bin& x);
    //! Read a short value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(short& x);
    //! Read an integer value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(int& x);
    //! Read a float value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(float& x);
    //! Read a double value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(double& x);
    //! Read a float complex value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(std::complex<float>& x);
    //! Read a double complex value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(std::complex<double>& x);

    //! Read a vector of binary values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(bvec& v);
    //! Read a vector of short integer values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(svec& v);
    //! Read a vector of integer values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(ivec& v);
    //! Read a vector of float values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(vec& v);
    //! Read a vector of double values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_hi(vec& v);
    //! Read a vector of float complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(cvec& v);
    //! Read a vector of double complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_hi(cvec& v);

    //! Read a string at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(std::string& str);

    //! Read a matrix of binary values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(bmat& m);
    //! Read a matrix of short integer values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(smat& m);
    //! Read a matrix of integer values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(imat& m);
    //! Read a matrix of float values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(mat& m);
    //! Read a matrix of double values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_hi(mat& m);
    //! Read a matrix of float complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(cmat& m);
    //! Read a matrix of double complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_hi(cmat& m);

    //! Read an Array of binary values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(Array<bin>& v);
    //! Read an Array of short integer values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(Array<short>& v);
    //! Read an Array of integer values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(Array<int>& v);
    //! Read an Array of float values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(Array<float>& v);
    //! Read an Array of float values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(Array<double>& v);
    //! Read an Array of double values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_hi(Array<double>& v);
    //! Read an Array of float complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(Array<std::complex<float> >& v);
    //! Read an Array of float complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(Array<std::complex<double> >& v);
    //! Read an Array of double complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_hi(Array<std::complex<double> >& v);

    //! Find the variable \c name
    bool seek(const std::string& name);
    //! Find the variable number \c n
    bool seek(int n);
    //! Get information about the current variable
    void info(std::string& name, std::string& type, std::string& desc,
              uint64_t& bytes);

  protected:
    //! Protected binary file stream
    bfstream s;
  };


  /*!
    \brief The IT++ file format reading and writing class
    \ingroup itfile
  */
  class it_file : public it_ifile {
  public:
    //! ACTION: Add documentation for this typedef
    typedef it_file& (*it_manip)(it_file&);

    //! Default constructor
    it_file();

    /*!
      \brief Constructor that calls open()

      If the file does not exist it will be created. If \c trunc is true,
      the file will be truncated.
    */
    explicit it_file(const std::string& filename, bool trunc = false);

    //! Destructor
    virtual ~it_file() { }

    /*!
      \brief Open a file for reading and writing

      If the file does not exist it will be created. If \c trunc is true,
      the file will be truncated.
    */
    void open(const std::string& filename, bool trunc = false);

    //! Close the file
    void close();
    //! Flush the data to disk
    void flush();

    //! Returns pointer to the underlying \c bfstream used
    bfstream& low_level() { return s; }

    //! Set the precision. Low precision means floats, high means doubles.
    void set_low_precision(bool p = true)  { low_prec = p; }
    //! Get the precision
    bool get_low_precision() const { return low_prec; }

    //! Set the name and optionally description of the next variable to be saved
    void set_next_name(const std::string& name,
                       const std::string& description = "")
    { next_name = name; next_desc = description; }

    //! Write the header for the \c it_file
    void write_file_header();
    //! Write the data header for a variable, specifying the type and size of the data to follow.
    void write_data_header(const std::string& type, uint64_t size);
    //! Write the data header for a variable, specifying the type, name, size and optionally description of the data to follow.
    void write_data_header(const std::string& type, const std::string& name,
                           uint64_t size, const std::string& description = "");

    //! Write a char value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(char x);
    //! Write an unsigned integer 64-bit value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(uint64_t x);
    //! Write a bool value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(bool x);

    //! Write a binary value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(bin x);
    //! Write a short value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(short x);
    //! Write an integer value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(int x);
    //! Write a float value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(float x);
    //! Write a double value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(double x);
    //! Write a float complex value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const std::complex<float>& x);
    //! Write a double complex value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const std::complex<double>& x);

    //! Write a bvec at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const bvec& v);
    //! Write an svec at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const svec& v);
    //! Write an ivec at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const ivec& v);
    //! Write a vec at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const vec& v);
    //! Write a cvec at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const cvec& v);

    //! Write a string at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const std::string& str);

    //! Write a bmat at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const bmat& m);
    //! Write an smat at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const smat& m);
    //! Write an imat at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const imat& m);
    //! Write a mat at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const mat& m);
    //! Write a cmat at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const cmat& m);

    //! Write a bin Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<bin>& v);
    //! Write a short Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<short>& v);
    //! Write an integer Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<int>& v);
    //! Write a float Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<float>& v);
    //! Write a double Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<double>& v);
    //! Write a float complex Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<std::complex<float> >& v);
    //! Write a double complex Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<std::complex<double> >& v);

    //!ACTTION: ADD DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS MEMBER !!!!!!!!
    it_file& operator<<(it_manip func) { return (*func)(*this); }

    //! Removes the variable \c name from the file
    void remove(const std::string& name);
    //! Returns true if the variable \c name exists in the file
    bool exists(const std::string& name);
    //! Remove slack space from the file
    void pack();

  protected:
    //! Remove the current variable, denoted by \c next_name
    void remove();
    //! Write data header \c h at the current file position
    void write_data_header_here(const data_header& h);

    //! Low precision flag. If true, use float type, otherwise double
    bool low_prec;
    //! Name to be used for saving the next variable
    std::string next_name;
    //! Description to be used for saving the next variable
    std::string next_desc;

  private:
    // Name of the opened file. Needed by the pack() method.
    std::string fname;
  };


  /*!
    \brief Flush operator
    \ingroup itfile

    Flushes the data. Usage:
    \code
    vec v1("1 2 3"), v2;
    it_file f("file.it");
    f << Name("v") << v1 << flush;
    \endcode
  */
  inline it_file& flush(it_file& f)
  {
    f.flush();
    return f;
  }

  /*!
    \brief Automatic naming when saving
    \ingroup itfile

    An easy way to give a variable a name and optionally description when
    saving. Usage:
    \code
    vec v1("1 2 3"), v2;
    it_file f("file.it");
    f << Name("v", "A vector of consecutive double values") << v1;
    f >> Name("v") >> v2;
    \endcode
  */
  class Name {
  public:
    //! Constructor
    Name(const std::string& n, const std::string& d = ""): name(n), desc(d) {}
    //! The name string
    const std::string& name;
    //! The descripion
    const std::string& desc;
  };


  /*! \addtogroup itfile */
  //!@{

  //! Finds the variable \c Name in the \c it_ifile. Returns file pointer for reading.
  inline it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, const Name& s)
  {
    f.seek(s.name);
    return f;
  }

  //! Finds the variable \c Name in the \c it_file. Returns file pointer for writing.
  inline it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Name& s)
  {
    f.set_next_name(s.name, s.desc);
    return f;
  }

  //! Read the char variable \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, char& v);
  //! Read the bool variable \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile &f, bool &v);

  //! Read the binary variable \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, bin& v);
  //! Read the short variable \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, short& v);
  //! Read the integer variable \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, int& v);
  //! Read the float variable \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, float& v);
  //! Read the double variable \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, double& v);
  //! Read the float complex variable \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, std::complex<float>& v);
  //! Read the double complex variable \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, std::complex<double>& v);

  //! Read the bvec \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, bvec& v);
  //! Read the svec \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, svec& v);
  //! Read the ivec \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, ivec& v);
  //! Read the vec \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, vec& v);
  //! Read the cvec \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, cvec& v);

  //! Read the string \c str from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, std::string& str);

  //! Read the bmat \c m from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, bmat& m);
  //! Read the smat \c m from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, smat& m);
  //! Read the imat \c m from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, imat& m);
  //! Read the mat \c m from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, mat& m);
  //! Read the cmat \c m from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, cmat& m);

  //! Read the binary Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<bin>& v);
  //! Read the short integer Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<short>& v);
  //! Read the integer Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<int>& v);
  //! Read the float Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<float>& v);
  //! Read the double Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<double>& v);
  //! Read the float complex Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<std::complex<float> >& v);
  //! Read the double complex Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<std::complex<double> >& v);

  //! Read the bvec Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<bvec>& v);
  //! Read the svec Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<svec>& v);
  //! Read the ivec Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<ivec>& v);
  //! Read the vec Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<vec>& v);
  //! Read the cvec Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<cvec>& v);

  //! Read the string Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<std::string>& v);

  //! Read the bmat Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<bmat>& v);
  //! Read the bmat Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<smat>& v);
  //! Read the imat Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<imat>& v);
  //! Read the mat Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<mat>& v);
  //! Read the cmat Array \c v from the \c it_ifile pointer
  it_ifile& operator>>(it_ifile& f, Array<cmat>& v);


  //! Write the char variable \c x to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, char x);
  //! Write the bool variable \c x to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file &f, bool x);

  //! Write the binary variable \c x to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, bin x);
  //! Write the short variable \c x to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, short x);
  //! Write the integer variable \c x to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, int x);
  //! Write the float variable \c x to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, float x);
  //! Write the double variable \c x to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, double x);
  //! Write the float complex variable \c x to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, std::complex<float> x);
  //! Write the double complex variable \c x to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, std::complex<double> x);

  //! Write the bvec \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const bvec& v);
  //! Write the svec \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const svec& v);
  //! Write the ivec \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const ivec& v);
  //! Write the vec \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const vec& v);
  //! Write the cvec \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const cvec& v);

  //! Write the string \c str to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const std::string& str);

  //! Write the bmat \c m to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const bmat& m);
  //! Write the smat \c m to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const smat& m);
  //! Write the imat \c m to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const imat& m);
  //! Write the mat \c m to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const mat& m);
  //! Write the cmat \c m to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const cmat& m);

  //! Write the bin Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<bin>& v);
  //! Write the short int Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<short>& v);
  //! Write the int Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<int>& v);
  //! Write the float Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<float>& v);
  //! Write the double Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<double>& v);
  //! Write the float complex Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<std::complex<float> >& v);
  //! Write the double complex Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<std::complex<double> >& v);

  //! Write the bvec Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<bvec>& v);
  //! Write the svec Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<svec>& v);
  //! Write the ivec Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<ivec>& v);
  //! Write the vec Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<vec>& v);
  //! Write the cvec Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<cvec>& v);

  //! Write the string Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<std::string>& v);

  //! Write the bmat Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<bmat>& v);
  //! Write the smat Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<smat>& v);
  //! Write the imat Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<imat>& v);
  //! Write the mat Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<mat>& v);
  //! Write the cmat Array \c v to the \c it_file pointer
  it_file& operator<<(it_file& f, const Array<cmat>& v);

  //! Save the variable v in the file name.it as the name name.
  template <class T>
  void it_save_var_as(const T& v, const std::string& name)
  {
    it_file f(name + ".it");
    f << Name(name) << v;
    f.close();
  }

  //! Load the variable v from the file name.it as the name name.
  template <class T>
  void it_load_var_as(T& v, const std::string& name)
  {
    it_ifile f(name + ".it");
    f.seek(name);
    f >> v;
    f.close();
  }

  //! A convenient macro. Calling it_save_var(M) saves M as 'M' in the file 'M.it'.
#define it_save_var(v) it_save_var_as(v,#v)
  //! A convenient macro. Calling it_load_var(M) loads M as 'M' in the file 'M.it'.
#define it_load_var(v) it_load_var_as(v,#v)

  //!@}


  // ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  // Deprecated implementation of IT++ file format version 2
  // Will be removed in future versions
  // ----------------------------------------------------------------------

  /*!
    \brief Base class for it_ifile_old and it_file_old.

    \warning This class is deprecated and will be removed in future.
    \ingroup itfile
  */
  class it_file_base_old {
  public:

    //! Data header structure
    struct data_header {
      //! 0=little, 1=big
      char endianity;
      /*! size variables
       * @{ */
      uint32_t hdr_bytes, data_bytes, block_bytes;
      /*! @} */
      //! data name
      std::string name;
      //! data type, e.g. int32, float32, etc. type = "" means deleted
      std::string type;
    };

  protected:

    //! File header structure
    struct file_header {
      //! ACTION: Add documentation
      char magic[4];
      //! ACTION: Add documentation
      char version;
    };
    //! ACTION: Add documentation
    static char file_magic[4];
    //! ACTION: Add documentation
    static char file_version;
  };

  /*!
    \brief The old (version 2) IT++ file format reading class.

    \warning This class is deprecated and will be removed in future.
    \ingroup itfile
  */
  class it_ifile_old : public it_file_base_old {
  public:
    //!Constructor.
    it_ifile_old();
    //!Constructor. Calls open().
    explicit it_ifile_old(const std::string& name);
    //!Destructor.
    virtual ~it_ifile_old() { }
    //!Open a file.  The file must exist.
    void open(const std::string& name);
    //!Close a file.
    virtual void close();
    //!Returns pointer to the underlying \c bfstream used
    bfstream& low_level() { return s; }

    //!Reads and checks the file data header. Returns true if the header is valid and false otherwise.
    bool read_check_file_header();
    //!Read the data header and return the result in the variable \c h
    void read_data_header(data_header& h);
    //!Read a char value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(char& x);
    //!Read a binary value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(bin& x);
    //!Read a short value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(short& x);
    //!Read an integer value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(int& x);
    //!Read a float value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(float& x);
    //!Read a double value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(double& x);
    //!Read a float complex value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(std::complex<float>& x);
    //!Read a double complex value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(std::complex<double>& x);
    //!Read a vector of float values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(vec& v);
    //!Read a vector of double values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_hi(vec& v);
    //!Read a vector of integer values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(ivec& v);
    //!Read a vector of binary values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(bvec& v);
    //!Read a vector of float complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(cvec& v);
    //!Read a vector of double complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_hi(cvec& v);
    //!Read a string at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(std::string& str);
    //!Read a matrix of float values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(mat& m);
    //!Read a matrix of double values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_hi(mat& m);
    //!Read a matrix of integer values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(imat& m);
    //!Read a matrix of binary values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(bmat& m);
    //!Read a matrix of float complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(cmat& m);
    //!Read a matrix of double complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_hi(cmat& m);

    //!Read an Array of float values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(Array<float>& v);
    //!Read an Array of float values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(Array<double>& v);
    //!Read an Array of double values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_hi(Array<double>& v);
    //!Read an Array of integer values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(Array<int>& v);
    //!Read an Array of binary values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read(Array<bin>& v);
    //!Read an Array of float complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(Array<std::complex<float> >& v);
    //!Read an Array of float complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_lo(Array<std::complex<double> >& v);
    //!Read an Array of double complex values at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_read_hi(Array<std::complex<double> >& v);

    //! Find the variable \c  name.
    bool seek(const std::string& name);

    //! Find the variable number \c n.
    bool seek(int n);
    //! Get information about the current variable.
    void info(std::string& name, std::string& type, int& bytes);

  protected:
    //! Protected binary file stream
    bfstream s;
  };

  /*!
    \brief The old (version 2) IT++ file format reading and writing class.

    \warning This class is deprecated and will be removed in future.
    \ingroup itfile
  */
  class it_file_old : public it_ifile_old {
  public:
    //! ACTION: Add documentation for this typedef
    typedef it_file_old& (*it_manip)(it_file_old&);

    //! Constructor.
    it_file_old();

    /*!
      \brief Constructor.

      If the file does not exist it will be created.  If \c trunc is true,
      the file will be truncated.
    */
    explicit it_file_old(const std::string& name, bool trunc=false);

    //! Destructor.
    virtual ~it_file_old() { }

    /*!
      \brief Open a file for reading and writing.

      If the file does not exist it will be created.  If \c  trunc is true,
      the file will be truncated.
    */
    void open(const std::string& name, bool trunc=false);

    //! Close the file.
    void close();

    //! Flush the data to disk.
    void flush();

    //! Returns pointer to the underlying \c bfstream used
    bfstream& low_level() { return s; }

    //! Set the precision. Low precision means floats, high means doubles.
    void set_low_precision(bool p=true)  { low_prec = p; }

    //! Get the precision.
    bool get_low_precision() { return low_prec; }

    //! Set the name of the next name to be saved. See also the \c Name class.
    void set_next_name(const std::string& n) { next_name=n; }

    //!Write the header for the \c it_file_old
    void write_file_header();
    //!Write the data header for a variable, specifying the type and size of the data to follow.
    void write_data_header(const std::string& type, uint32_t size);
    //!Write the data header for a variable, specifying the type, name, and size of the data to follow.
    void write_data_header(const std::string& type, const std::string& name,
                           uint32_t size);
    //!Write a char value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(char x);
    //!Write a binary value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(bin x);
    //!Write a short value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(short x);
    //!Write an integer value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(int x);
    //!Write a float value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(float x);
    //!Write a double value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(double x);
    //!Write a float complex value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const std::complex<float>& x);
    //!Write a double complex value at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const std::complex<double>& x);
    //!Write a vec at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const vec& v);
    //!Write an ivec at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const ivec& v);
    //!Write a bvec at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const bvec& v);
    //!Write a cvec at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const cvec& v);
    //!Write a string at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const std::string& str);
    //!Write a mat at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const mat& m);
    //!Write a imat at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const imat& m);
    //!Write a bmat at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const bmat& m);
    //!Write a cmat at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const cmat& m);
    //!Write a float Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<float>& v);
    //!Write a double Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<double>& v);
    //!Write a integer Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<int>& v);
    //!Write a bin Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<bin>& v);
    //!Write a float complex Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<std::complex<float> >& v);
    //!Write a double complex Array at the current file pointer position
    void low_level_write(const Array<std::complex<double> >& v);

    //!ACTTION: ADD DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS MEMBER !!!!!!!!
    it_file_old& operator<<(it_manip func) { return (*func)(*this); }

    //! Removes the variable \c name from the file.
    void remove(const std::string& name);
    //! Returns true if the variable \c name exists in the file.
    bool exists(const std::string& name);
    //! Remove slack space from the file.
    void pack();

  protected:
    //! ACTION: Add documenation for this protected member
    void remove();
    //! ACTION: Add documenation for this protected member
    void write_data_header_here(const data_header& h);

    //! ACTION: Add documenation for this protected member
    bool low_prec;
    //! ACTION: Add documenation for this protected member
    std::string next_name;
  };

  /*!
    \brief Flush operator.
    \ingroup itfile

    Flushes the data. Usage:

    \code
    vec v1("1 2 3"), v2;
    it_file_old f("file.it");
    f << Name("v") << v1 << flush;
    \endcode
  */
  inline it_file_old& flush(it_file_old& f)
    {
      f.flush();
      return f;
    }


  /*! \addtogroup itfile */
  //!@{

  //!Finds the variable \c Name in the \c it_ifile_old. Returns file pointer for reading.
  inline it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, const Name& s)
    {
      f.seek(s.name);
      return f;
    }

  //!Finds the variable \c Name in the \c it_file_old. Returns file pointer for writing.
  inline it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Name& s)
    {
      f.set_next_name(s.name);
      return f;
    }

  //!Read the char variable \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, char& v);

  //!Read the binary variable \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, bin& v);

  //!Read the short variable \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, short& v);

  //!Read the integer variable \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, int& v);

  //!Read the float variable \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, float& v);

  //!Read the double variable \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, double& v);

  //!Read the float complex variable \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, std::complex<float>& v);

  //!Read the double complex variable \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, std::complex<double>& v);

  //!Read the vec \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, vec& v);

  //!Read the ivec \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, ivec& v);

  //!Read the bvec \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, bvec& v);

  //!Read the cvec \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, cvec& v);

  //!Read the string \c str from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, std::string& str);

  //!Read the mat \c m from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, mat& m);

  //!Read the imat \c m from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, imat& m);

  //!Read the bmat \c m from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, bmat& m);

  //!Read the cmat \c m from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, cmat& m);

  //!Read the float Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<float>& v);

  //!Read the double Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<double>& v);

  //!Read the integer Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<int>& v);

  //!Read the binary Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<bin>& v);

  //!Read the float complex Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<std::complex<float> >& v);

  //!Read the double complex Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<std::complex<double> >& v);

  //!Read the vec Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<vec>& v);

  //!Read the ivec Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<ivec>& v);

  //!Read the bvec Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<bvec>& v);

  //!Read the cvec Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<cvec>& v);

  //!Read the string Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<std::string>& v);

  //!Read the mat Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<mat>& v);

  //!Read the imat Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<imat>& v);

  //!Read the bmat Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<bmat>& v);

  //!Read the cmat Array \c v from the \c it_ifile_old pointer
  it_ifile_old& operator>>(it_ifile_old& f, Array<cmat>& v);


  //!Write the char variable \c x to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, char x);

  //!Write the binary variable \c x to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, bin x);

  //!Write the short variable \c x to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, short x);

  //!Write the integer variable \c x to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, int x);

  //!Write the float variable \c x to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, float x);

  //!Write the double variable \c x to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, double x);

  //!Write the float complex variable \c x to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, std::complex<float> x);

  //!Write the double complex variable \c x to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, std::complex<double> x);

  //!Write the vec \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const vec& v);

  //!Write the ivec \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const ivec& v);

  //!Write the bvec \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const bvec& v);

  //!Write the cvec \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const cvec& v);

  //!Write the string \c str to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const std::string& str);

  //!Write the mat \c m to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const mat& m);

  //!Write the imat \c m to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const imat& m);

  //!Write the bmat \c m to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const bmat& m);

  //!Write the cmat \c m to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const cmat& m);

  //!Write the float Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<float>& v);

  //!Write the double Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<double>& v);

  //!Write the int Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<int>& v);

  //!Write the bin Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<bin>& v);

  //!Write the float complex Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<std::complex<float> >& v);

  //!Write the double complex Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<std::complex<double> >& v);

  //!Write the vec Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<vec>& v);

  //!Write the ivec Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<ivec>& v);

  //!Write the bvec Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<bvec>& v);

  //!Write the cvec Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<cvec>& v);

  //!Write the string Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<std::string>& v);

  //!Write the mat Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<mat>& v);

  //!Write the imat Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<imat>& v);

  //!Write the bmat Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<bmat>& v);

  //!Write the cmat Array \c v to the \c it_file_old pointer
  it_file_old& operator<<(it_file_old& f, const Array<cmat>& v);

  //!@}

  // ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  // End of the deprecated implementation of IT++ file format version 2
  // Will be removed in future versions
  // ----------------------------------------------------------------------

} // namespace itpp

#endif // #ifndef IT_FILE_H