# Source code for hdf5storage

    # Copyright (c) 2013-2016, Freja Nordsiek
    # All rights reserved.
    #
    # Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
    # modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
    # met:
    #
    # 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
    # notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
    #
    # 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
    # notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
    # documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
    #
    # THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
    # "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
    # LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
    # A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
    # HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
    # SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
    # LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
    # DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
    # THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
    # (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
    # OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
    """
    This is the hdf5storage package, a Python package to read and write
    python data types to HDF5 (Heirarchal Data Format) files beyond just
    Numpy types.

    Version 0.1.15

    """

    __version__ = "0.1.15"

    import sys
    import os
    import posixpath
    import copy
    import inspect
    import datetime
    import h5py

    from . import lowlevel
    from hdf5storage.lowlevel import Hdf5storageError, CantReadError, \
        TypeNotMatlabCompatibleError

    from . import Marshallers

    class Options(object):
        """ Set of options governing how data is read/written to/from disk.

        There are many ways that data can be transformed as it is read or
        written from a file, and many attributes can be used to describe the
        data depending on its format. The option with the most effect is the
        `matlab_compatible` option. It makes sure that the file is
        compatible with MATLAB's HDF5 based version 7.3 mat file format. It
        overrides several options to the values in the following table.

        ==================================  ====================
        attribute                           value
        ==================================  ====================
        delete_unused_variables             ``True``
        structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct  ``True``
        make_atleast_2d                     ``True``
        convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16        ``True``
        convert_numpy_str_to_utf16          ``True``
        convert_bools_to_uint8              ``True``
        reverse_dimension_order             ``True``
        store_shape_for_empty               ``True``
        complex_names                       ``('real', 'imag')``
        group_for_references                ``'/#refs#'``
        compression_algorithm               ``'gzip'``
        ==================================  ====================

        In addition to setting these options, a specially formatted block of
        bytes is put at the front of the file so that MATLAB can recognize
        its format.

        Parameters
        ----------
        store_python_metadata : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        matlab_compatible : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        action_for_matlab_incompatible : str, optional
            See Attributes. Only valid values are 'ignore', 'discard', and
            'error'.
        delete_unused_variables : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        make_atleast_2d : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16 : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        convert_numpy_str_to_utf16 : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        convert_bools_to_uint8 : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        reverse_dimension_order : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        store_shape_for_empty : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        complex_names : tuple of two str, optional
            See Attributes.
        group_for_references : str, optional
            See Attributes.
        oned_as : str, optional
            See Attributes.
        compress : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        compress_size_threshold : int, optional
            See Attributes.
        compression_algorithm : str, optional
            See Attributes.
        gzip_compression_level : int, optional
            See Attributes.
        shuffle_filter : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        compressed_fletcher32_filter : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        uncompressed_fletcher32_filter : bool, optional
            See Attributes.
        marshaller_collection : MarshallerCollection, optional
            See Attributes.
        **keywords :
            Additional keyword arguments. They are ignored. They are allowed
            to be given to be more compatible with future versions of this
            package where more options will be added.

        Attributes
        ----------
        store_python_metadata : bool
        matlab_compatible : bool
        action_for_matlab_incompatible : str
        delete_unused_variables : bool
        structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct : bool
        make_atleast_2d : bool
        convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16 : bool
        convert_numpy_str_to_utf16 : bool
        convert_bools_to_uint8 : bool
        reverse_dimension_order : bool
        store_shape_for_empty : bool
        complex_names : tuple of two str
        group_for_references : str
        oned_as : {'row', 'column'}
        compress : bool
        compress_size_threshold : int
        compression_algorithm : {'gzip', 'lzf', 'szip'}
        gzip_compression_level : int
        shuffle_filter : bool
        compressed_fletcher32_filter : bool
        uncompressed_fletcher32_filter : bool
        scalar_options : dict
            ``h5py.Group.create_dataset`` options for writing scalars.
        array_options : dict
            ``h5py.Group.create_dataset`` options for writing scalars.
        marshaller_collection : MarshallerCollection
            Collection of marshallers to disk.

        """
        def __init__(self, store_python_metadata=True,
                     matlab_compatible=True,
                     action_for_matlab_incompatible='error',
                     delete_unused_variables=False,
                     structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct=False,
                     make_atleast_2d=False,
                     convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16=False,
                     convert_numpy_str_to_utf16=False,
                     convert_bools_to_uint8=False,
                     reverse_dimension_order=False,
                     store_shape_for_empty=False,
                     complex_names=('r', 'i'),
                     group_for_references="/#refs#",
                     oned_as='row',
                     compress=True,
                     compress_size_threshold=16*1024,
                     compression_algorithm='gzip',
                     gzip_compression_level=7,
                     shuffle_filter=True,
                     compressed_fletcher32_filter=True,
                     uncompressed_fletcher32_filter=False,
                     marshaller_collection=None,
                     **keywords):

            # Set the defaults.

            self._store_python_metadata = True
            self._action_for_matlab_incompatible = 'error'
            self._delete_unused_variables = False
            self._structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct = False
            self._make_atleast_2d = False
            self._convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16 = False
            self._convert_numpy_str_to_utf16 = False
            self._convert_bools_to_uint8 = False
            self._reverse_dimension_order = False
            self._store_shape_for_empty = False
            self._complex_names = ('r', 'i')
            self._group_for_references = "/#refs#"
            self._oned_as = 'row'
            self._compress = True
            self._compress_size_threshold = 16*1024
            self._compression_algorithm = 'gzip'
            self._gzip_compression_level = 7
            self._shuffle_filter = True
            self._compressed_fletcher32_filter = True
            self._uncompressed_fletcher32_filter = False
            self._matlab_compatible = True

            # Apply all the given options using the setters, making sure to
            # do matlab_compatible last since it will override most of the
            # other ones.

            self.store_python_metadata = store_python_metadata
            self.action_for_matlab_incompatible = \
                action_for_matlab_incompatible
            self.delete_unused_variables = delete_unused_variables
            self.structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct = \
                structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct
            self.make_atleast_2d = make_atleast_2d
            self.convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16 = convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16
            self.convert_numpy_str_to_utf16 = convert_numpy_str_to_utf16
            self.convert_bools_to_uint8 = convert_bools_to_uint8
            self.reverse_dimension_order = reverse_dimension_order
            self.store_shape_for_empty = store_shape_for_empty
            self.complex_names = complex_names
            self.group_for_references = group_for_references
            self.oned_as = oned_as
            self.compress = compress
            self.compress_size_threshold = compress_size_threshold
            self.compression_algorithm = compression_algorithm
            self.gzip_compression_level = gzip_compression_level
            self.shuffle_filter = shuffle_filter
            self.compressed_fletcher32_filter = compressed_fletcher32_filter
            self.uncompressed_fletcher32_filter = \
                uncompressed_fletcher32_filter
            self.matlab_compatible = matlab_compatible

            # Set the h5py options to use for writing scalars and arrays to
            # blank for now.

            self.scalar_options = dict()
            self.array_options = dict()

            # Use the given marshaller collection if it was
            # given. Otherwise, use the default.

            #: Collection of marshallers to disk.
            #:
            #: MarshallerCollection
            #:
            #: See Also
            #: --------
            #: MarshallerCollection
            self.marshaller_collection = marshaller_collection
            if not isinstance(marshaller_collection, MarshallerCollection):
                self.marshaller_collection = MarshallerCollection()

        @property
        def store_python_metadata(self):
            """ Whether or not to store Python metadata.

            bool

            If ``True`` (default), information on the Python type for each
            object written to disk is put in its attributes so that it can
            be read back into Python as the same type.

            """
            return self._store_python_metadata

        @store_python_metadata.setter
        def store_python_metadata(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it. This option does not
            # effect MATLAB compatibility
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._store_python_metadata = value

        @property
        def matlab_compatible(self):
            """ Whether or not to make the file compatible with MATLAB.

            bool

            If ``True`` (default), data is written to file in such a way
            that it compatible with MATLAB's version 7.3 mat file format
            which is HDF5 based. Setting it to ``True`` forces other options
            to hold the specific values in the table below.

            ==================================  ====================
            attribute                           value
            ==================================  ====================
            delete_unused_variables             ``True``
            structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct  ``True``
            make_atleast_2d                     ``True``
            convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16        ``True``
            convert_numpy_str_to_utf16          ``True``
            convert_bools_to_uint8              ``True``
            reverse_dimension_order             ``True``
            store_shape_for_empty               ``True``
            complex_names                       ``('real', 'imag')``
            group_for_references                ``'/#refs#'``
            compression_algorithm               ``'gzip'``
            ==================================  ====================

            In addition to setting these options, a specially formatted
            block of bytes is put at the front of the file so that MATLAB
            can recognize its format.

            """
            return self._matlab_compatible

        @matlab_compatible.setter
        def matlab_compatible(self, value):
            # If it is a bool, it can be set. If it is set to true, then
            # several other options need to be set appropriately.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._matlab_compatible = value
                if value:
                    self._delete_unused_variables = True
                    self._structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct = True
                    self._make_atleast_2d = True
                    self._convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16 = True
                    self._convert_numpy_str_to_utf16 = True
                    self._convert_bools_to_uint8 = True
                    self._reverse_dimension_order = True
                    self._store_shape_for_empty = True
                    self._complex_names = ('real', 'imag')
                    self._group_for_references = "/#refs#"
                    self._compression_algorithm = 'gzip'

        @property
        def action_for_matlab_incompatible(self):
            """ The action to do when writing non-MATLAB compatible data.

            {'ignore', 'discard', 'error'}

            The action to perform when doing MATLAB compatibility but a type
            being written is not MATLAB compatible. The actions are to write
            the data anyways ('ignore'), don't write the incompatible data
            ('discard'), or throw a ``TypeNotMatlabCompatibleError``
            exception. The default is 'error'.

            See Also
            --------
            matlab_compatible
            hdf5storage.lowlevel.TypeNotMatlabCompatibleError

            """
            return self._action_for_matlab_incompatible

        @action_for_matlab_incompatible.setter
        def action_for_matlab_incompatible(self, value):
            # Check that it is one of the allowed values, and then set
            # it. This option does not effect MATLAB compatibility.
            if value in ('ignore', 'discard', 'error'):
                self._action_for_matlab_incompatible = value

        @property
        def delete_unused_variables(self):
            """ Whether or not to delete file variables not written to.

            bool

            If ``True`` (defaults to ``False`` unless MATLAB compatibility
            is being done), variables in the file below where writing starts
            that are not written to are deleted.

            Must be ``True`` if doing MATLAB compatibility.

            """
            return self._delete_unused_variables

        @delete_unused_variables.setter
        def delete_unused_variables(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it. If it is false, we
            # are not doing MATLAB compatible formatting.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._delete_unused_variables = value
            if not self._delete_unused_variables:
                self._matlab_compatible = False

        @property
        def structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct(self):
            """ Whether or not to convert structured ndarrays to structs.

            bool

            If ``True`` (defaults to ``False`` unless MATLAB compatibility
            is being done), all ``numpy.ndarray``s with fields (compound
            dtypes) are written as HDF5 Groups with the fields as Datasets
            (correspond to struct arrays in MATLAB).

            Must be ``True`` if doing MATLAB compatibility. MATLAB cannot
            handle the compound types made by writing these types.

            """
            return self._structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct

        @structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct.setter
        def structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it. If it is false, we
            # are not doing MATLAB compatible formatting.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct = value
            if not self._structured_numpy_ndarray_as_struct:
                self._matlab_compatible = False

        @property
        def make_atleast_2d(self):
            """ Whether or not to convert scalar types to 2D arrays.

            bool

            If ``True`` (defaults to ``False`` unless MATLAB compatibility
            is being done), all scalar types are converted to 2D arrays when
            written to file. ``oned_as`` determines whether 1D arrays are
            turned into row or column vectors.

            Must be ``True`` if doing MATLAB compatibility. MATLAB can only
            import 2D and higher dimensional arrays.

            See Also
            --------
            oned_as

            """
            return self._make_atleast_2d

        @make_atleast_2d.setter
        def make_atleast_2d(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it. If it is false, we
            # are not doing MATLAB compatible formatting.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._make_atleast_2d = value
            if not self._make_atleast_2d:
                self._matlab_compatible = False

        @property
        def convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16(self):
            """ Whether or not to convert numpy.bytes\_ to UTF-16.

            bool

            If ``True`` (defaults to ``False`` unless MATLAB compatibility
            is being done), ``numpy.bytes_`` and anything that is converted
            to them (``bytes``, and ``bytearray``) are converted to UTF-16
            before being written to file as ``numpy.uint16``.

            Must be ``True`` if doing MATLAB compatibility. MATLAB uses
            UTF-16 for its strings.

            See Also
            --------
            numpy.bytes\_
            convert_numpy_str_to_utf16

            """
            return self._convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16

        @convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16.setter
        def convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it. If it is false, we
            # are not doing MATLAB compatible formatting.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16 = value
            if not self._convert_numpy_bytes_to_utf16:
                self._matlab_compatible = False

        @property
        def convert_numpy_str_to_utf16(self):
            """ Whether or not to convert numpy.str\_ to UTF-16.

            bool

            If ``True`` (defaults to ``False`` unless MATLAB compatibility
            is being done), ``numpy.str_`` and anything that is converted
            to them (``str``) will be converted to UTF-16 if possible before
            being written to file as ``numpy.uint16``. If doing so would
            lead to a loss of data (character can't be translated to
            UTF-16) or would change the shape of an array of ``numpy.str_``
            due to a character being converted into a pair 2-bytes, the
            conversion will not be made and the string will be stored in
            UTF-32 form as a ``numpy.uint32``.

            Must be ``True`` if doing MATLAB compatibility. MATLAB uses
            UTF-16 for its strings.

            See Also
            --------
            numpy.bytes\_
            convert_numpy_str_to_utf16

            """
            return self._convert_numpy_str_to_utf16

        @convert_numpy_str_to_utf16.setter
        def convert_numpy_str_to_utf16(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it. If it is false, we
            # are not doing MATLAB compatible formatting.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._convert_numpy_str_to_utf16 = value
            if not self._convert_numpy_str_to_utf16:
                self._matlab_compatible = False

        @property
        def convert_bools_to_uint8(self):
            """ Whether or not to convert bools to ``numpy.uint8``.

            bool

            If ``True`` (defaults to ``False`` unless MATLAB compatibility
            is being done), bool types are converted to ``numpy.uint8``
            before being written to file.

            Must be ``True`` if doing MATLAB compatibility. MATLAB doesn't
            use the enums that ``h5py`` wants to use by default and also
            uses uint8 intead of int8.

            """
            return self._convert_bools_to_uint8

        @convert_bools_to_uint8.setter
        def convert_bools_to_uint8(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it. If it is false, we
            # are not doing MATLAB compatible formatting.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._convert_bools_to_uint8 = value
            if not self._convert_bools_to_uint8:
                self._matlab_compatible = False

        @property
        def reverse_dimension_order(self):
            """ Whether or not to reverse the order of array dimensions.

            bool

            If ``True`` (defaults to ``False`` unless MATLAB compatibility
            is being done), the dimension order of ``numpy.ndarray`` and
            ``numpy.matrix`` are reversed. This switches them from C
            ordering to Fortran ordering. The switch of ordering is
            essentially a transpose.

            Must be ``True`` if doing MATLAB compatibility. MATLAB uses
            Fortran ordering.

            """
            return self._reverse_dimension_order

        @reverse_dimension_order.setter
        def reverse_dimension_order(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it. If it is false, we
            # are not doing MATLAB compatible formatting.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._reverse_dimension_order = value
            if not self._reverse_dimension_order:
                self._matlab_compatible = False

        @property
        def store_shape_for_empty(self):
            """ Whether to write the shape if an object has no elements.

            bool

            If ``True`` (defaults to ``False`` unless MATLAB compatibility
            is being done), objects that have no elements (e.g. a
            0x0x2 array) will have their shape (an array of the number of
            elements along each axis) written to disk in place of nothing,
            which would otherwise be written.

            Must be ``True`` if doing MATLAB compatibility. For empty
            arrays, MATLAB requires that the shape array be written in its
            place along with the attribute 'MATLAB_empty' set to 1 to flag
            it.

            """
            return self._store_shape_for_empty

        @store_shape_for_empty.setter
        def store_shape_for_empty(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it. If it is false, we
            # are not doing MATLAB compatible formatting.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._store_shape_for_empty = value
            if not self._store_shape_for_empty:
                self._matlab_compatible = False

        @property
        def complex_names(self):
            """ Names to use for the real and imaginary fields.

            tuple of two str

            ``(r, i)`` where `r` and `i` are two ``str``. When reading and
            writing complex numbers, the real part gets the name in `r` and
            the imaginary part gets the name in `i`. ``h5py`` uses
            ``('r', 'i')`` by default, unless MATLAB compatibility is being
            done in which case its default is ``('real', 'imag')``.

            Must be ``('real', 'imag')`` if doing MATLAB compatibility.

            """
            return self._complex_names

        @complex_names.setter
        def complex_names(self, value):
            # Check that it is a tuple of two strings, and then set it. If
            # it is something other than ('real', 'imag'), then we are not
            # doing MATLAB compatible formatting.
            if isinstance(value, tuple) and len(value) == 2 \
                    and isinstance(value[0], str) \
                    and isinstance(value[1], str):
                self._complex_names = value
            if self._complex_names != ('real', 'imag'):
                self._matlab_compatible = False

        @property
        def group_for_references(self):
            """ Path for where to put objects pointed at by references.

            str

            The absolute POSIX path for the Group to place all data that is
            pointed to by another piece of data (needed for
            ``numpy.object_`` and similar types). This path is automatically
            excluded from its parent group when reading back a ``dict``.

            Must be ``'/#refs#`` if doing MATLAB compatibility.

            """
            return self._group_for_references

        @group_for_references.setter
        def group_for_references(self, value):
            # Check that it an str and a valid absolute POSIX path, and then
            # set it. If it is something other than "/#refs#", then we are
            # not doing MATLAB compatible formatting.
            if isinstance(value, str):
                pth = posixpath.normpath(value)
                if len(pth) > 1 and posixpath.isabs(pth):
                    self._group_for_references = value
            if self._group_for_references != "/#refs#":
                self._matlab_compatible = False

        @property
        def oned_as(self):
            """ Vector that 1D arrays become when making everything >= 2D.

            {'row', 'column'}

            When the ``make_atleast_2d`` option is set (set implicitly by
            doing MATLAB compatibility), this option controls whether 1D
            arrays become row vectors or column vectors.

            See Also
            --------
            make_atleast_2d

            """
            return self._oned_as

        @oned_as.setter
        def oned_as(self, value):
            # Check that it is one of the valid values before setting it.
            if value in ('row', 'column'):
                self._oned_as = value

        @property
        def compress(self):
            """ Whether to compress large python objects (datasets).

            bool

            If ``True``, python objects (datasets) larger than
            ``compress_size_threshold`` will be compressed.

            See Also
            --------
            compress_size_threshold
            compression_algorithm
            shuffle_filter
            compressed_fletcher32_filter

            """
            return self._compress

        @compress.setter
        def compress(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._compress = value

        @property
        def compress_size_threshold(self):
            """ Minimum size of a python object before it is compressed.

            int

            Minimum size in bytes a python object must be for it to be
            compressed if ``compress`` is set. Must be non-negative.

            See Also
            --------
            compress

            """
            return self._compress_size_threshold

        @compress_size_threshold.setter
        def compress_size_threshold(self, value):
            # Check that it is a non-negative integer, and then set it.
            if isinstance(value, int) and value >= 0:
                self._compress_size_threshold = value

        @property
        def compression_algorithm(self):
            """ Algorithm to use for compression.

            {'gzip', 'lzf', 'szip'}

            Compression algorithm to use When the ``compress`` option is set
            and a python object is larger than ``compress_size_threshold``.
            ``'gzip'`` is the only MATLAB compatible option.

            ``'gzip'`` is also known as the Deflate algorithm, which is the
            default compression algorithm of ZIP files and is a common
            compression algorithm used on tarballs. It is the most
            compatible option. It has good compression and is reasonably
            fast. Its compression level is set with the
            ``gzip_compression_level`` option, which is an integer between 0
            and 9 inclusive.

            ``'lzf'`` is a very fast but low to moderate compression
            algorithm. It is less commonly used than gzip/Deflate, but
            doesn't have any patent or license issues.

            ``'szip'`` is a compression algorithm that has some patents and
            license restrictions. It is not always available.

            See Also
            --------
            compress
            compress_size_threshold
            h5py.Group.create_dataset
            http://www.hdfgroup.org/doc_resource/SZIP/Commercial_szip.html

            """
            return self._compression_algorithm

        @compression_algorithm.setter
        def compression_algorithm(self, value):
            # Check that it is one of the valid values before setting it. If
            # it is something other than 'gzip', then we are not doing
            # MATLAB compatible formatting.
            if value in ('gzip', 'lzf', 'szip'):
                self._compression_algorithm = value
            if self._compression_algorithm != 'gzip':
                self._matlab_compatible = False

        @property
        def gzip_compression_level(self):
            """ The compression level to use when doing the gzip algorithm.

            int

            Compression level to use when data is being compressed with the
            ``'gzip'`` algorithm. Must be an integer between 0 and 9
            inclusive. Lower values are faster while higher values give
            better compression.

            See Also
            --------
            compress
            compression_algorithm

            """
            return self._gzip_compression_level

        @gzip_compression_level.setter
        def gzip_compression_level(self, value):
            # Check that it is an integer between 0 and 9.
            if isinstance(value, int) and value >= 0 and value <= 9:
                self._gzip_compression_level = value

        @property
        def shuffle_filter(self):
            """ Whether to use the shuffle filter on compressed python objects.

            bool

            If ``True``, python objects (datasets) that are compressed are
            run through the shuffle filter, which reversibly rearranges the
            data to improve compression.

            See Also
            --------
            compress
            h5py.Group.create_dataset

            """
            return self._shuffle_filter

        @shuffle_filter.setter
        def shuffle_filter(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._shuffle_filter = value

        @property
        def compressed_fletcher32_filter(self):
            """ Whether to use the fletcher32 filter on compressed python objects.

            bool

            If ``True``, python objects (datasets) that are compressed are
            run through the fletcher32 filter, which stores a checksum with
            each chunk so that data corruption can be more easily detected.

            See Also
            --------
            compress
            shuffle_filter
            uncompressed_flether32_filter
            h5py.Group.create_dataset

            """
            return self._compressed_fletcher32_filter

        @compressed_fletcher32_filter.setter
        def compressed_fletcher32_filter(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._compressed_fletcher32_filter = value

        @property
        def uncompressed_fletcher32_filter(self):
            """ Whether to use the fletcher32 filter on uncompressed non-scalar python objects.

            bool

            If ``True``, python objects (datasets) that are **NOT**
            compressed and are not scalars (when converted to a Numpy type,
            their shape is not an empty ``tuple``) are run through the
            fletcher32 filter, which stores a checksum with each chunk so
            that data corruption can be more easily detected. This forces
            all uncompressed data to be chuncked regardless of how small and
            can increase file sizes.

            See Also
            --------
            compress
            shuffle_filter
            compressed_flether32_filter
            h5py.Group.create_dataset

            """
            return self._uncompressed_fletcher32_filter

        @uncompressed_fletcher32_filter.setter
        def uncompressed_fletcher32_filter(self, value):
            # Check that it is a bool, and then set it.
            if isinstance(value, bool):
                self._uncompressed_fletcher32_filter = value

    class MarshallerCollection(object):
        """ Represents, maintains, and retreives a set of marshallers.

        Maintains a list of marshallers used to marshal data types to and
        from HDF5 files. It includes the builtin marshallers from the
        ``hdf5storage.Marshallers`` module as well as any user supplied or
        added marshallers. While the builtin list cannot be changed; user
        ones can be added or removed. Also has functions to get the
        marshaller appropriate for ``type`` or type_string for a python data
        type.

        User marshallers must provide the same interface as
        ``hdf5storage.Marshallers.TypeMarshaller``, which is probably most
        easily done by inheriting from it.

        Parameters
        ----------
        marshallers : marshaller or list of marshallers, optional
            The user marshaller/s to add to the collection. Could also be a
            ``tuple``, ``set``, or ``frozenset`` of marshallers.

        See Also
        --------
        hdf5storage.Marshallers
        hdf5storage.Marshallers.TypeMarshaller

        """
        def __init__(self, marshallers=[]):
            # Two lists of marshallers need to be maintained: one for the
            # builtin ones in the Marshallers module, and another for user
            # supplied ones.

            # Grab all the marshallers in the Marshallers module (they are
            # the classes) by inspection.
            self._builtin_marshallers = [m() for key, m in dict(
                                         inspect.getmembers(Marshallers,
                                         inspect.isclass)).items()]
            self._user_marshallers = []

            # A list of all the marshallers will be needed along with
            # dictionaries to lookup up the marshaller to use for given
            # types, type string, or MATLAB class string (they are the
            # keys).
            self._marshallers = []
            self._types = dict()
            self._type_strings = dict()
            self._matlab_classes = dict()

            # Add any user given marshallers.
            self.add_marshaller(copy.deepcopy(marshallers))

        def _update_marshallers(self):
            """ Update the full marshaller list and other data structures.

            Makes a full list of both builtin and user marshallers and
            rebuilds internal data structures used for looking up which
            marshaller to use for reading/writing Python objects to/from
            file.

            """
            # Combine both sets of marshallers.
            self._marshallers = copy.deepcopy(self._builtin_marshallers)
            self._marshallers.extend(copy.deepcopy(self._user_marshallers))

            # Construct the dictionary to look up the appropriate marshaller
            # by type. It would normally be a dict comprehension such as
            #
            # self._types = {tp: m for m in self._marshallers
            #                for tp in m.types}
            #
            # but that is not supported in Python 2.6 so it has to be done
            # with a for loop.

            self._types = dict()
            for m in self._marshallers:
                for tp in m.types:
                    self._types[tp] = m

            # The equivalent one to read data types given type strings needs
            # to be created from it. Basically, we have to make the key be
            # the python_type_string from it. Same issue as before with
            # Python 2.6
            #
            # self._type_strings = {type_string: m for key, m in
            #                       self._types.items() for type_string in
            #                       m.python_type_strings}

            self._type_strings = dict()
            for key, m in self._types.items():
                for type_string in m.python_type_strings:
                    self._type_strings[type_string] = m

            # The equivalent one to read data types given MATLAB class
            # strings needs to be created from it. Basically, we have to
            # make the key be the matlab_class from it. Same issue as before
            # with Python 2.6
            #
            # self._matlab_classes = {matlab_class: m for key, m in
            #                         self._types.items() for matlab_class in
            #                         m.matlab_classes}

            self._matlab_classes = dict()
            for key, m in self._types.items():
                for matlab_class in m.matlab_classes:
                    self._matlab_classes[matlab_class] = m

        def add_marshaller(self, marshallers):
            """ Add a marshaller/s to the user provided list.

            Adds a marshaller or a list of them to the user provided set of
            marshallers.

            Parameters
            ----------
            marshallers : marshaller or list of marshallers
                The user marshaller/s to add to the user provided
                collection. Could also be a ``tuple``, ``set``, or
                ``frozenset`` of marshallers.

            """
            if not isinstance(marshallers, (list, tuple, set, frozenset)):
                marshallers = [marshallers]
            for m in marshallers:
                if m not in self._user_marshallers:
                    self._user_marshallers.append(copy.deepcopy(m))
            self._update_marshallers()

        def remove_marshaller(self, marshallers):
            """ Removes a marshaller/s from the user provided list.

            Removes a marshaller or a list of them from the user provided set
            of marshallers.

            Parameters
            ----------
            marshallers : marshaller or list of marshallers
                The user marshaller/s to from the user provided collection.
                Could also be a ``tuple``, ``set``, or ``frozenset`` of
                marshallers.

            """
            if not isinstance(marshallers, (list, tuple, set, frozenset)):
                marshallers = [marshallers]
            for m in marshallers:
                if m in self._user_marshallers:
                    self._user_marshallers.remove(m)
            self._update_marshallers()

        def clear_marshallers(self):
            """ Clears the list of user provided marshallers.

            Removes all user provided marshallers, but not the builtin ones
            from the ``hdf5storage.Marshallers`` module, from the list of
            marshallers used.

            """
            self._user_marshallers.clear()
            self._update_marshallers()

        def get_marshaller_for_type(self, tp):
            """ Gets the appropriate marshaller for a type.

            Retrieves the marshaller, if any, that can be used to read/write
            a Python object with type 'tp'.

            Parameters
            ----------
            tp : type
                Python object ``type``.

            Returns
            -------
            marshaller
                The marshaller that can read/write the type to
                file. ``None`` if no appropriate marshaller is found.

            See Also
            --------
            hdf5storage.Marshallers.TypeMarshaller.types

            """
            if tp in self._types:
                return copy.deepcopy(self._types[tp])
            else:
                return None

        def get_marshaller_for_type_string(self, type_string):
            """ Gets the appropriate marshaller for a type string.

            Retrieves the marshaller, if any, that can be used to read/write
            a Python object with the given type string.

            Parameters
            ----------
            type_string : str
                Type string for a Python object.

            Returns
            -------
            marshaller
                The marshaller that can read/write the type to
                file. ``None`` if no appropriate marshaller is found.

            See Also
            --------
            hdf5storage.Marshallers.TypeMarshaller.python_type_strings

            """
            if type_string in self._type_strings:
                return copy.deepcopy(self._type_strings[type_string])
            else:
                return None

        def get_marshaller_for_matlab_class(self, matlab_class):
            """ Gets the appropriate marshaller for a MATLAB class string.

            Retrieves the marshaller, if any, that can be used to read/write
            a Python object associated with the given MATLAB class string.

            Parameters
            ----------
            matlab_class : str
                MATLAB class string for a Python object.

            Returns
            -------
            marshaller
                The marshaller that can read/write the type to
                file. ``None`` if no appropriate marshaller is found.

            See Also
            --------
            hdf5storage.Marshallers.TypeMarshaller.python_type_strings

            """
            if matlab_class in self._matlab_classes:
                return copy.deepcopy(self._matlab_classes[matlab_class])
            else:
                return None

    def writes(mdict, filename='data.h5', truncate_existing=False,
               truncate_invalid_matlab=False, options=None, **keywords):
        """ Writes data into an HDF5 file (high level).

        High level function to store one or more Python types (data) to
        specified pathes in an HDF5 file. The paths are specified as POSIX
        style paths where the directory name is the Group to put it in and
        the basename is the name to write it to.

        There are various options that can be used to influence how the data
        is written. They can be passed as an already constructed ``Options``
        into `options` or as additional keywords that will be used to make
        one by ``options = Options(**keywords)``.

        Two very important options are ``store_python_metadata`` and
        ``matlab_compatible``, which are ``bool``. The first makes it so
        that enough metadata (HDF5 Attributes) are written that `data` can
        be read back accurately without it (or its contents if it is a
        container type) ending up different types, transposed in the case of
        numpy arrays, etc. The latter makes it so that the appropriate
        metadata is written, string and bool and complex types are converted
        properly, and numpy arrays are transposed; which is needed to make
        sure that MATLAB can import `data` correctly (the HDF5 header is
        also set so MATLAB will recognize it).

        Parameters
        ----------
        mdict : dict, dict like
            The ``dict`` or other dictionary type object of paths
            and data to write to the file. The paths, the keys, must be
            POSIX style paths where the directory name is the Group to put
            it in and the basename is the name to write it to. The values
            are the data to write.
        filename : str, optional
            The name of the HDF5 file to write `data` to.
        truncate_existing : bool, optional
            Whether to truncate the file if it already exists before writing
            to it.
        truncate_invalid_matlab : bool, optional
            Whether to truncate a file if matlab_compatibility is being
            done and the file doesn't have the proper header (userblock in
            HDF5 terms) setup for MATLAB metadata to be placed.
        options : Options, optional
            The options to use when writing. Is mutually exclusive with any
            additional keyword arguments given (set to ``None`` or don't
            provide to use them).
        **keywords :
            If `options` was not provided or was ``None``, these are used as
            arguments to make a ``Options``.

        Raises
        ------
        NotImplementedError
            If writing `data` is not supported.
        TypeNotMatlabCompatibleError
            If writing a type not compatible with MATLAB and
            `options.action_for_matlab_incompatible` is set to ``'error'``.

        See Also
        --------
        write : Writes just a single piece of data
        reads
        read
        Options
        lowlevel.write_data : Low level version

        """
        # Pack the different options into an Options class if an Options was
        # not given.
        if not isinstance(options, Options):
            options = Options(**keywords)

        # Go through mdict, extract the paths and data, and process the
        # paths. A list of tulpes for each piece of data to write will be
        # constructed where he first element is the group name, the second
        # the target name (name of the Dataset/Group holding the data), and
        # the third element the data to write.
        towrite = []
        for p, v in mdict.items():
            # Remove double slashes and a non-root trailing slash.
            path = posixpath.normpath(p)

            # Extract the group name and the target name (will be a dataset if
            # data can be mapped to it, but will end up being made into a group
            # otherwise. As HDF5 files use posix path, conventions, posixpath
            # will do everything.
            groupname = posixpath.dirname(path)
            targetname = posixpath.basename(path)

            # If groupname got turned into blank, then it is just root.
            if groupname == '':
                groupname = '/'

            # If targetname got turned blank, then it is the current directory.
            if targetname == '':
                targetname = '.'

            # Pack into towrite.
            towrite.append((groupname, targetname, v))

        # Open/create the hdf5 file but don't write the data yet since the
        # userblock still needs to be set. This is all wrapped in a try
        # block, so that the file can be closed if any errors happen (the
        # error is re-raised).
        f = None
        try:

            # If the file doesn't already exist or the option is set to
            # truncate it if it does, just open it truncating whatever is
            # there. Otherwise, open it for read/write access without
            # truncating. Now, if we are doing matlab compatibility and it
            # doesn't have a big enough userblock (for metadata for MATLAB
            # to be able to tell it is a valid .mat file) and the
            # truncate_invalid_matlab is set, then it needs to be closed and
            # re-opened with truncation. Whenever we create the file from
            # scratch, even if matlab compatibility isn't being done, a
            # sufficiently sized userblock is going to be allocated
            # (smallest size is 512) for future use (after all, someone
            # might want to turn it to a .mat file later and need it and it
            # is only 512 bytes).

            if truncate_existing or not os.path.isfile(filename):
                f = h5py.File(filename, mode='w', userblock_size=512)
            else:
                f = h5py.File(filename)
                if options.matlab_compatible and truncate_invalid_matlab \
                        and f.userblock_size < 128:
                    f.close()
                    f = h5py.File(filename, mode='w', userblock_size=512)
        except:
            raise
        finally:
            # If the hdf5 file was opened at all, get the userblock size and
            # close it since we need to set the userblock.
            if isinstance(f, h5py.File):
                userblock_size = f.userblock_size
                f.close()
            else:
                raise IOError('Unable to create or open file.')

        # If we are doing MATLAB formatting and there is a sufficiently
        # large userblock, write the new userblock. The same sort of error
        # handling is used.
        if options.matlab_compatible and userblock_size >= 128:
            # Get the time.
            now = datetime.datetime.now()

            # Construct the leading string. The MATLAB one looks like
            #
            # s = 'MATLAB 7.3 MAT-file, Platform: GLNXA64, Created on: ' \
            #     + now.strftime('%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %Y') \
            #     + ' HDF5 schema 1.00 .'
            #
            # Platform is going to be changed to CPython version. The
            # version is just gotten from sys.version_info, which is a class
            # for Python >= 2.7, but a tuple before that.

            v = sys.version_info
            if sys.hexversion >= 0x02070000:
                v = {'major': v.major, 'minor': v.minor, 'micro': v.micro}
            else:
                v = {'major': v[0], 'minor': v[1], 'micro': v[1]}

            s = 'MATLAB 7.3 MAT-file, Platform: CPython ' \
                + '{0}.{1}.{2}'.format(v['major'], v['minor'], v['micro']) \
                + ', Created on: ' \
                + now.strftime('%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %Y') \
                + ' HDF5 schema 1.00 .'

            # Make the bytearray while padding with spaces up to 128-12
            # (the minus 12 is there since the last 12 bytes are special.

            b = bytearray(s + (128-12-len(s))*' ', encoding='utf-8')

            # Add 8 nulls (0) and the magic number (or something) that
            # MATLAB uses. Lengths must be gone to to make sure the argument
            # to fromhex is unicode because Python 2.6 requires it.

            b.extend(bytearray.fromhex(
                     b'00000000 00000000 0002494D'.decode()))

            # Now, write it to the beginning of the file.

            try:
                fd = open(filename, 'r+b')
                fd.write(b)
            except:
                raise
            finally:
                fd.close()

        # Open the hdf5 file again and write the data, making the Group if
        # necessary. This is all wrapped in a try block, so that the file
        # can be closed if any errors happen (the error is re-raised).
        f = None
        try:
            f = h5py.File(filename)

            # Go through each element of towrite and write them.
            for groupname, targetname, data in towrite:
                # Need to make sure groupname is a valid group in f and grab its
                # handle to pass on to the low level function.
                if groupname not in f:
                    grp = f.require_group(groupname)
                else:
                    grp = f[groupname]

                # Hand off to the low level function.
                lowlevel.write_data(f, grp, targetname, data,
                                    None, options)
        except:
            raise
        finally:
            if isinstance(f, h5py.File):
                f.close()

    def write(data, path='/', filename='data.h5', truncate_existing=False,
              truncate_invalid_matlab=False, options=None, **keywords):
        """ Writes one piece of data into an HDF5 file (high level).

        A wrapper around ``writes`` to write a single piece of data,
        `data`, to a single location, `path`.

        High level function to store a Python type (`data`) to a specified
        path (`path`) in an HDF5 file. The path is specified as a POSIX
        style path where the directory name is the Group to put it in and
        the basename is the name to write it to.

        There are various options that can be used to influence how the data
        is written. They can be passed as an already constructed ``Options``
        into `options` or as additional keywords that will be used to make
        one by ``options = Options(**keywords)``.

        Two very important options are ``store_python_metadata`` and
        ``matlab_compatible``, which are ``bool``. The first makes it so
        that enough metadata (HDF5 Attributes) are written that `data` can
        be read back accurately without it (or its contents if it is a
        container type) ending up different types, transposed in the case of
        numpy arrays, etc. The latter makes it so that the appropriate
        metadata is written, string and bool and complex types are converted
        properly, and numpy arrays are transposed; which is needed to make
        sure that MATLAB can import `data` correctly (the HDF5 header is
        also set so MATLAB will recognize it).

        Parameters
        ----------
        data : any
            The data to write.
        path : str, optional
            The path to write `data` to. Must be a POSIX style path where
            the directory name is the Group to put it in and the basename
            is the name to write it to.
        filename : str, optional
            The name of the HDF5 file to write `data` to.
        truncate_existing : bool, optional
            Whether to truncate the file if it already exists before writing
            to it.
        truncate_invalid_matlab : bool, optional
            Whether to truncate a file if matlab_compatibility is being
            done and the file doesn't have the proper header (userblock in
            HDF5 terms) setup for MATLAB metadata to be placed.
        options : Options, optional
            The options to use when writing. Is mutually exclusive with any
            additional keyword arguments given (set to ``None`` or don't
            provide to use them).
        **keywords :
            If `options` was not provided or was ``None``, these are used as
            arguments to make a ``Options``.

        Raises
        ------
        NotImplementedError
            If writing `data` is not supported.
        TypeNotMatlabCompatibleError
            If writing a type not compatible with MATLAB and
            `options.action_for_matlab_incompatible` is set to ``'error'``.

        See Also
        --------
        writes : Writes more than one piece of data at once
        reads
        read
        Options
        lowlevel.write_data : Low level version

        """
        writes(mdict={path: data},  filename=filename,
               truncate_existing=truncate_existing,
               truncate_invalid_matlab=truncate_invalid_matlab,
               options=options, **keywords)

    def reads(paths, filename='data.h5', options=None, **keywords):
        """ Reads data from an HDF5 file (high level).

        High level function to read one or more pieces of data from an HDF5
        file located at the paths specified in `paths` into Python
        types. Each path is specified as a POSIX style path where the data
        to read is located.

        There are various options that can be used to influence how the data
        is read. They can be passed as an already constructed ``Options``
        into `options` or as additional keywords that will be used to make
        one by ``options = Options(**keywords)``.

        Parameters
        ----------
        paths : iterable of str
            An iterable of paths to read data from. Each must be a POSIX
            style path where the directory name is the Group to put it in
            and the basename is the name to write it to.
        filename : str, optional
            The name of the HDF5 file to read data from.
        options : Options, optional
            The options to use when reading. Is mutually exclusive with any
            additional keyword arguments given (set to ``None`` or don't
            provide to use them).
        **keywords :
            If `options` was not provided or was ``None``, these are used as
            arguments to make a ``Options``.

        Returns
        -------
        datas : iterable
            An iterable holding the piece of data for each path in `paths`
            in the same order.

        Raises
        ------
        CantReadError
            If reading the data can't be done.

        See Also
        --------
        read : Reads just a single piece of data
        writes
        write
        Options
        lowlevel.read_data : Low level version.

        """
        # Pack the different options into an Options class if an Options was
        # not given. By default, the matlab_compatible option is set to
        # False. So, if it wasn't passed in the keywords, this needs to be
        # added to override the default value (True) for a new Options.
        if not isinstance(options, Options):
            kw = copy.deepcopy(keywords)
            if 'matlab_compatible' not in kw:
                kw['matlab_compatible'] = False
            options = Options(**kw)

        # Process the paths and stuff the group names and target names as
        # tuples into toread.
        toread = []
        for p in paths:
            # Remove double slashes and a non-root trailing slash.

            path = posixpath.normpath(p)

            # Extract the group name and the target name (will be a dataset if
            # data can be mapped to it, but will end up being made into a group
            # otherwise. As HDF5 files use posix path, conventions, posixpath
            # will do everything.
            groupname = posixpath.dirname(path)
            targetname = posixpath.basename(path)

            # If groupname got turned into blank, then it is just root.
            if groupname == '':
                groupname = '/'

            # If targetname got turned blank, then it is the current directory.
            if targetname == '':
                targetname = '.'

            # Pack them into toread
            toread.append((groupname, targetname))

        # Open the hdf5 file and start reading the data. This is all wrapped
        # in a try block, so that the file can be closed if any errors
        # happen (the error is re-raised).
        try:
            f = None
            f = h5py.File(filename, mode='r')

            # Read the data item by item
            datas = []
            for groupname, targetname in toread:
                # Check that the containing group is in f and is indeed a
                # group. If it isn't an error needs to be thrown.
                if groupname not in f \
                        or not isinstance(f[groupname], h5py.Group):
                    raise CantReadError('Could not find containing Group '
                                        + groupname + '.')

                # Hand off everything to the low level reader.
                datas.append(lowlevel.read_data(f, f[groupname],
                                                targetname, options))
        except:
            raise
        finally:
            if f is not None:
                f.close()

        return datas

    def read(path='/', filename='data.h5',
             options=None, **keywords):
        """ Reads one piece of data from an HDF5 file (high level).

        A wrapper around ``reads`` to read a single piece of data at the
        single location `path`.

        High level function to read data from an HDF5 file located at `path`
        into Python types. The path is specified as a POSIX style path where
        the data to read is located.

        There are various options that can be used to influence how the data
        is read. They can be passed as an already constructed ``Options``
        into `options` or as additional keywords that will be used to make
        one by ``options = Options(**keywords)``.

        Parameters
        ----------
        path : str, optional
            The path to read data from. Must be a POSIX style path where
            the directory name is the Group to put it in and the basename
            is the name to write it to.
        filename : str, optional
            The name of the HDF5 file to read data from.
        options : Options, optional
            The options to use when reading. Is mutually exclusive with any
            additional keyword arguments given (set to ``None`` or don't
            provide to use them).
        **keywords :
            If `options` was not provided or was ``None``, these are used as
            arguments to make a ``Options``.

        Returns
        -------
        data :
            The piece of data at `path`.

        Raises
        ------
        CantReadError
            If reading the data can't be done.

        See Also
        --------
        reads : Reads more than one piece of data at once
        writes
        write
        Options
        lowlevel.read_data : Low level version.

        """
        return reads(paths=(path,), filename=filename, options=options,
                     **keywords)[0]

    def savemat(file_name, mdict, appendmat=True, format='7.3',
                oned_as='row', store_python_metadata=True,
                action_for_matlab_incompatible='error',
                marshaller_collection=None, truncate_existing=False,
                truncate_invalid_matlab=False, **keywords):
        """ Save a dictionary of python types to a MATLAB MAT file.

        Saves the data provided in the dictionary `mdict` to a MATLAB MAT
        file. `format` determines which kind/vesion of file to use. The
        '7.3' version, which is HDF5 based, is handled by this package and
        all types that this package can write are supported. Versions 4 and
        5 are not HDF5 based, so everything is dispatched to the SciPy
        package's ``scipy.io.savemat`` function, which this function is
        modelled after (arguments not specific to this package have the same
        names, etc.).

        Parameters
        ----------
        file_name : str or file-like object
            Name of the MAT file to store in. The '.mat' extension is
            added on automatically if not present if `appendmat` is set to
            ``True``. An open file-like object can be passed if the writing
            is being dispatched to SciPy (`format` < 7.3).
        mdict : dict
            The dictionary of variables and their contents to store in the
            file.
        appendmat : bool, optional
            Whether to append the '.mat' extension to `file_name` if it
            doesn't already end in it or not.
        format : {'4', '5', '7.3'}, optional
            The MATLAB mat file format to use. The '7.3' format is handled
            by this package while the '4' and '5' formats are dispatched to
            SciPy.
        oned_as : {'row', 'column'}, optional
            Whether 1D arrays should be turned into row or column vectors.
        store_python_metadata : bool, optional
            Whether or not to store Python type information. Doing so allows
            most types to be read back perfectly. Only applicable if not
            dispatching to SciPy (`format` >= 7.3).
        action_for_matlab_incompatible: str, optional
            The action to perform writing data that is not MATLAB
            compatible. The actions are to write the data anyways
            ('ignore'), don't write the incompatible data ('discard'), or
            throw a ``TypeNotMatlabCompatibleError`` exception.
        marshaller_collection : MarshallerCollection, optional
            Collection of marshallers to disk to use. Only applicable if
            not dispatching to SciPy (`format` >= 7.3).
        truncate_existing : bool, optional
            Whether to truncate the file if it already exists before writing
            to it.
        truncate_invalid_matlab : bool, optional
            Whether to truncate a file if the file doesn't have the proper
            header (userblock in HDF5 terms) setup for MATLAB metadata to be
            placed.
        **keywords :
            Additional keywords arguments to be passed onto
            ``scipy.io.savemat`` if dispatching to SciPy (`format` < 7.3).

        Raises
        ------
        ImportError
            If `format` < 7.3 and the ``scipy`` module can't be found.
        NotImplementedError
            If writing a variable in `mdict` is not supported.
        TypeNotMatlabCompatibleError
            If writing a type not compatible with MATLAB and
            `action_for_matlab_incompatible` is set to ``'error'``.

        Notes
        -----
        Writing the same data and then reading it back from disk using the
        HDF5 based version 7.3 format (the functions in this package) or the
        older format (SciPy functions) can lead to very different
        results. Each package supports a different set of data types and
        converts them to and from the same MATLAB types differently.

        See Also
        --------
        loadmat : Equivelent function to do reading.
        scipy.io.savemat : SciPy function this one models after and
            dispatches to.
        Options
        writes : Function used to do the actual writing.

        """
        # If format is a number less than 7.3, the call needs to be
        # dispatched to the scipy version, if it is available, with all the
        # relevant and extra keywords options provided.
        if float(format) < 7.3:
            import scipy.io
            scipy.io.savemat(file_name, mdict, appendmat=appendmat,
                             format=format, oned_as=oned_as, **keywords)
            return

        # Append .mat if it isn't on the end of the file name and we are
        # supposed to.
        if appendmat and not file_name.endswith('.mat'):
            file_name = file_name + '.mat'

        # Make the options with matlab compatibility forced.
        options = Options(store_python_metadata=store_python_metadata, \
            matlab_compatible=True, oned_as=oned_as, \
            action_for_matlab_incompatible=action_for_matlab_incompatible, \
            marshaller_collection=marshaller_collection)

        # Write the variables in the dictionary to file.
        writes(mdict=mdict, filename=file_name,
               truncate_existing=truncate_existing,
               truncate_invalid_matlab=truncate_invalid_matlab,
               options=options)

    def loadmat(file_name, mdict=None, appendmat=True,
                variable_names=None,
                marshaller_collection=None, **keywords):
        """ Loads data to a MATLAB MAT file.

        Reads data from the specified variables (or all) in a  MATLAB MAT
        file. There are many different formats of MAT files. This package
        can only handle the HDF5 based ones (the version 7.3 and later).
        As SciPy's ``scipy.io.loadmat`` function can handle the earlier
        formats, if this function cannot read the file, it will dispatch it
        onto the scipy function with all the calling arguments it uses
        passed on. This function is modelled after the SciPy one (arguments
        not specific to this package have the same names, etc.).

        Parameters
        ----------
        file_name : str
            Name of the MAT file to read from. The '.mat' extension is
            added on automatically if not present if `appendmat` is set to
            ``True``.
        mdict : dict, optional
            The dictionary to insert read variables into
        appendmat : bool, optional
            Whether to append the '.mat' extension to `file_name` if it
            doesn't already end in it or not.
        variable_names: None or sequence, optional
            The variable names to read from the file. ``None`` selects all.
        marshaller_collection : MarshallerCollection, optional
            Collection of marshallers from disk to use. Only applicable if
            not dispatching to SciPy (version 7.3 and newer files).
        **keywords :
            Additional keywords arguments to be passed onto
            ``scipy.io.loadmat`` if dispatching to SciPy if the file is not
            a version 7.3 or later format.

        Returns
        -------
        dict
            Dictionary of all the variables read from the MAT file (name
            as the key, and content as the value).

        Raises
        ------
        ImportError
            If it is not a version 7.3 .mat file and the ``scipy`` module
            can't be found when dispatching to SciPy.
        CantReadError
            If reading the data can't be done.

        Notes
        -----
        Writing the same data and then reading it back from disk using the
        HDF5 based version 7.3 format (the functions in this package) or the
        older format (SciPy functions) can lead to very different
        results. Each package supports a different set of data types and
        converts them to and from the same MATLAB types differently.

        See Also
        --------
        savemat : Equivalent function to do writing.
        scipy.io.loadmat : SciPy function this one models after and
            dispatches to.
        Options
        reads : Function used to do the actual reading.

        """
        # Will first assume that it is the HDF5 based 7.3 format. If an
        # OSError occurs, then it wasn't an HDF5 file and the scipy function
        # can be tried instead.
        try:
            # Make the options with the given marshallers.
            options = Options(marshaller_collection=marshaller_collection)

            # Append .mat if it isn't on the end of the file name and we are
            # supposed to.
            if appendmat and not file_name.endswith('.mat'):
                filename = file_name + '.mat'
            else:
                filename = file_name

            # Read everything if we were instructed.

            if variable_names is None:
                data = dict()
                with h5py.File(filename, mode='r') as f:
                    for k in f:
                        # Read if not group_for_references. Data that
                        # produces errors when read is dicarded (the OSError
                        # that would happen if this is not an HDF5 file
                        # would already have happened when opening the
                        # file).
                        if f[k].name != options.group_for_references:
                            try:
                                data[k] = lowlevel.read_data(f, f, k,
                                                             options)
                            except:
                                pass

            else:
                # Extract the desired fields all together and then pack them
                # into a dictionary one by one.
                values = reads(paths=variable_names, filename=filename,
                               options=options)
                data = dict()
                for i, name in enumerate(variable_names):
                    data[name] = values[i]

            # Read all the variables, stuff them into mdict, and return it.
            if mdict is None:
                mdict = dict()
            for k, v in data.items():
                mdict[k] = v
            return mdict
        except OSError:
            import scipy.io
            return scipy.io.loadmat(file_name, mdict, appendmat=appendmat,
                                    variable_names=variable_names,
                                    **keywords)